Ben Affleck Officially Reveals Why He Turned Down Star Wars
Ben Affleck says Lucasfilm approached him to direct *The Force Awakens*, but he turned the offer down because he did not think he was the right person for the job. He liked *Star Wars*, but believed a director with greater passion for the franchise would do a better job.
Affleck said he was unsure he could make a great film or reinvent a series with such a strong identity and devoted fan base. J.J. Abrams ultimately directed *The Force Awakens*, which arrived in cinemas on 18 December 2015 and introduced Rey and Finn alongside returning characters.
- Lucasfilm asked Ben Affleck to direct *The Force Awakens*.
- He felt a more passionate fan would be better suited.
- J.J. Abrams took the directing role.
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Star Wars is a long-running science-fiction film series created by George Lucas, set in a galaxy of rival governments, rebels and the mystical Force. Its films have a distinctive style and a large, devoted audience, so new entries often carry high expectations.
The Force Awakens was planned as the start of a new trilogy, bringing the story back to cinemas after a decade without a new live-action film. It introduced characters including Rey and Finn while returning to familiar figures such as Han Solo and Leia.
Lucasfilm, the company behind Star Wars, chose J.J. Abrams to direct the film. Ben Affleck is an actor and filmmaker whose comments offer a glimpse of how directors may weigh the demands of taking on a well-established series.