Colin Trevorrow now belongs to an extremely limited club. He is about to become one of the precious few people who can claim that they directed a Star Wars movie. But with that exclamation comes heartbreak, for as Trevorrow explains it, he no longer is able to sit back and just watch a Star Wars movie -- to enjoy it, and not think about how it impacts his story, or his individual movie. Says Trevorrow, who's prepping a shoot for Star Wars: Episode IX:
Unfortunately, Rian's film is the first one I won't be able to watch as an audience member. I got that privilege with The Force Awakens. I just got to go see it with a Star Wars fan. I got to sit next to my kid and just giggle as we read the crawl because we were so excited. _Rogue One _was the same way. I didn't see it in advance. That time is over now. Star Wars is no longer that experience for me. If there's anything kind of sad about it, it's that I don't get to have that. But I wouldn't trade it, don't get me wrong.
Colin Trevorrow is making the rounds promoting The Book of Henry, a drama that's receiving... let's just say less than favorable reviews. But when he sits down with outlets, he happily discusses his work on Jurassic World, and his upcoming project, Star Wars: Episode IX. Because they are two of the biggest franchises in the industry at the moment. And believe me, I don't think that these statements made to Empire are earning Colin Trevorrow any sympathy. As he wisely points out, he wouldn't trade this dilemma for the alternative. Because the alternative means he doesn't GET to make a Star Wars movie. And what fun is that?
As is likely the case right now, Colin Trevorrow is probably intimately familiar with the plotting and pacing of Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi, as the events of this middle chapter will directly set up the story that Trevorrow has to tell in a few years. The final leg of this Skywalker trilogy will not be a standalone film. It relies heavily on Rian Johnson's scripting. Whatever plot he pushes forward, Trevorrow will have to react to. There's yin to his yang.
Let's watch the Last Jedi trailer, to refresh our memories:
Colin Trevorrow has time. Star Wars: Episode IX doesn't reach theaters until May 24, 2019. Audiences have Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi and a Han Solo movie that's, well, in flux at the moment. But for those of you hoping to one day direct a Star Wars film, know that it comes with sacrifice. But also, possibly, with great reward.
