30-year-old director Josh Trank has been hot ever since Chronicle, with his name being mentioned for virtually every prospective sci-fi project since. Now, in addition to his Fantastic Four reboot for Fox, and his once-rumored jobs on a Venom crossover for Sony and a Shadow of the Colossus movie, Disney has announced that he’ll be directing one of the stand-alone Star Wars movies. You guys, I didn’t want to say this before, but Josh Trank seems like kind of a slut.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy states:
“We’re thrilled to welcome Josh into the family. He is such an incredible talent and has a great imagination and sense of innovation. That makes him perfectly suited to Star Wars, and for this new slate of movies that reach beyond the core characters and storylines of Episodes I through IX.”
Josh Trank adds:
“The magic of the Star Wars Universe defined my entire childhood. The opportunity to expand on that experience for future generations is the most incredible dream of all time.” [press release, via Latino Review]
How often do you think the guy who has to write studio press releases contemplates suicide? Like, daily, or only after he strikes out at the bar?
In any case, Trank joins Gareth Edwards in the bouncy-house for previously-announced directors of stand-alone Star Wars films.
To me, Trank is still a bit of an unknown quantity. I liked Chronicle a lot, aside from the found-footage conceit, but it’s hard to get that much of a bead on a director’s style on a non-found-footage film when you only know them from one found-footage-style film. Still, he seemed to have an understanding of story, which is more important than any style aspects anyway (hence why a lot of successful directors of commercials kind of suck at making features – see: Bay, Michael). Of course, all this is probably moot when it comes to Star Wars, because Disney seems like they’re going to make whatever movie Disney wants to make, regardless of director. (*gets hit in neck in the neck with mouse-shaped dart*)
What I meant to say is that this sounds great and I am very excited to see what new and innovative storylines and properties Disney brings to the Star Wars universe. Sincerely, Vince. PS, I am doing great and in good health, please don’t come looking for me because I assure you everything is fine.