A blessing from Joss Whedon goes a long way , so skeptics of J.J. Abrams have to be feeling pretty good about him now that The Avengers director has given him his personal go-ahead on Star Wars: Episode VII .
Fun fact: Before Abrams was chosen to direct Star Wars: Episode VII , the Internet was awash with fans pushing for Joss Whedon to helm the revival of the Star Wars franchise. The problem is, he’s currently tied up with another franchise. Just a little thing, you probably haven’t even heard of it: The Avengers .
“I’m as angry as you should be,” Whedon joked in an interview earlier this year about missing the opportunity to direct Star Wars .
“When I heard [about Star Wars ] I was like, ‘I wonder … no, I really can’t do that. Oh, I already have a job.’ I wouldn’t clear the Avengers . I’m having so much fun with that sequel right now, just with the script, that I couldn’t imagine not doing it.”
During another interview with Deadline this week, Whedon revealed that he definitely had ideas for Star Wars: Episode VII (what nerd doesn’t) but no formal conversations ever happened.
“All of this happened long after I was committed to The Avengers , so there was never any question [about doing Star Wars ],” Whedon said. “There was just a peep of sadness from me.”
But as a fan, Whedon is more than happy with Disney’s selection of J.J. Abrams as director for the new Star Wars .
“I think, in all honesty, that J.J. Abrams is the guy for the gig and I couldn’t be happier about that,” he said.
Before you flame this article, I just have to point out that Abrams’ selection to helm Star Wars: Episode VII may have been geek-nip to some, but Abrams is not without his flops ( Morning Glory, Undercovers , there are more). It’s not me saying this. Google “J.J. Abrams lens flare” and you’ll find an Anne Hathaway-sized Abrams hate crowd you can go take your anger out on.
Still, I’m more than happy with Abrams as the Star Wars: Episode VII director, but as a Whedon fan , his blessing just sweetens the pot.
