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Imagine this: You’ve spent years creating an epic, world-changing story. Then, someone introduces teddy bear-like creatures that become the comic relief, and, to top it off, they win the day. For Denis Villeneuve, the director behindDuneandArrival, this was the moment when he stopped dreaming about a galaxy far, far away—and he wasn’t alone. Harrison Ford had similar feelings about the now-iconic Ewoks in theReturn of the Jedi.
Villeneuve recently opened up about his zero interest in theStar Warsfranchise, revealing a crucial turning point in 1983 when everything went off track—at least in his eyes.
If you’ve ever wondered why the genius behindDunedoesn’t have aStar Warsmovie on his resume, here’s the answer:Return of the Jedi—and more specifically, the introduction of the Ewoks—left a bad taste in his mouth.
Why Denis Villeneuve Is Not Going to Direct aStar WarsMovie (& Why He Doesn’t Want To)
ForDenis Villeneuve,Star Warswas an obsession from the get-go. He was just 10 whenA New Hopedebuted in 1977. “It went to my brain like a silver bullet,”he said (viaThe Townpodcast), reflecting on how the film captured his imagination. For him, it was love at first sight.
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As he grew up, his affection forStar Warsdeepened. He sawThe Empire Strikes Back“a billion times” and was profoundly affected by it. “I was traumatized by The Empire Strikes Back”, Villeneuve admitted, speaking of the film’s emotional intensity and lasting impact. The first two films had set a standard for storytelling that was groundbreaking. But everything changed withReturn of the Jedi.
Villeneuve’s deep connection toStar Warshit a major bump whenReturn of the Jedihit theaters in 1983. For him, it wasn’t just the introduction of the Ewoks; it was the tonal shift that came with them. To quote the Canadian filmmaker, 57:
The problem is that it all derailed in 1983 with Return of the Jedi. It’s a long story. I was 15 years old, and my best friend and I wanted to take a cab and go to L.A. and talk to George Lucas — we were so angry! Still today, the Ewoks.
To Villeneuve, the addition of these cuddly creatures—a far cry from the dark, complex narrative he had grown attached to—undermined the movie’s epic feel.
It turned out to be a comedy for kids. … Star Wars became crystallized in its own mythology, very dogmatic, it seemed like a recipe, no more surprises. So I’m not dreaming to do a Star Wars because it feels like code is very codified.
What had once been a bold space opera with universal themes of good vs. evil was suddenly diluted with elements that seemed more geared toward a younger audience. And if you think Villeneuve’s feelings were unique to him, think again.
Harrison Ford’s Everlasting Grudge For Ewoks
The introduction of the Ewoks left Denis Villeneuve cold. He’s not alone—Harrison Fordfelt similarly, and their gripes about the franchise are rooted in the same issue. Yes, those small, furry creatures inReturn of the Jedihave managed to leave an impression on Ford.
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Alden Ehrenreich, who played a younger Han Solo inSolo: A Star Wars Story, once appeared onJimmy Kimmel Liveto discuss his own experience stepping into Ford’s iconic shoes.
When asked about meeting the man himself and the advice Ford gave him, Ehrenreich had a funny nugget to share: theCaptain America: Brave New Worldactor still has a majorbeef with the Ewoks. Ehrenreich stated:
He still doesn’t like the Ewoks. Think that’s a big thing for him. He hates Ewoks. It’s like FAO Schwartz (to him), he didn’t like them.
So, yes, while these creatures might have appealed to younger viewers and added a bit of comic relief, to Ford, they were a step too far into the absurd. Interestingly, even theDunedirector shares a similar disinterest, noting thatStar Warsbegan to lose its edge, becoming more “dogmatic” and predictable. The introduction of the Ewoks is one of the key elements he cites as part of that shift.
Star Warsmovies can be streamed on Disney+.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
