Rian Johnsonhasn’t officially started shootingStar Wars: Episode VIIIjust yet, but that isn’t stoppingColin Trevorrowfrom mapping out the finale of theThe Force Awakenstrilogy. Yesterday, we heard that the filmmaker plans to shoot the 9th live actionStar Wars movieon film as opposed to digital. Now we have word that he wants to take it one step further. He wants to shoot a key scene forStar Wars: Episode IXin actual outer space using an IMAX camera.
Can that be done?Colin Trevorrowsure thinks so.Star Wars: The Force Awakenswas shot on 35mm with one scene, theMillennium Falconchase on Jakku, shot in IMAX. And this seems to be the default setting for all futureStar Wars sequelsto come. But none of the previous movies have ever shot in actual outer space. Let alone with an IMAX camera.Colin Trevorrowmade an appearance at the Sundance Film Festival this past week, whereTHRgrabbed this quote from theJurassic Worlddirector.
“I asked the question, ‘Is it possible for us to shoot IMAX film plates in actual space for Star Wars, and I haven’t gotten an answer yet, but they’ve shot IMAX in space!
IfColin Trevorrowis granted his request, he will have one of the most realistic lookingStar Warsmovies ever made under his belt. This will put the X-Wing, TIE-Fighter and Star Destroyer flying through our very own galaxy as we know it. But you have to wonder if it will buck the aesthetic of all that has come before it. Or if it is even necessary for the movie. Space looks pretty good, even in the original trilogy launched in 1977. Even if he doesn’t accomplish this lofty mission,Star Wars: Episode IXwill definitely be shot on film stock. The filmmaker sees the Star Wars movies as a throwback, and doesn’t think they should arrive on digital.
“The only place where I tend to not be able to attach myself entirely to something shot digitally is when it’s a period film. There’s something in my brain that goes, ‘Well, they didn’t have video cameras then,'” he said. “[Film] tends to remind us of our memories, of our childhoods, the way we used to see films. I could never shoot Star Wars on anything but [film] because it’s a period film: It happened a long time ago!”
To note, the director did shootJurassic Worldon film. But whileStar Wars: The Force Awakenswas shot on 35mm stock, as willStar Wars: Episode VIII,Rogue One: A Star Wars Storywill go the digital route. Which makes more sense from a theater owners standpoint, since many chains are converting over to digital only. In Los Angeles,Star Wars: The Force Awakensonly played in one 35mm projection house. What do you think? Do you want to see a Star Wars movie shot in actual outer space? Or would you even know the difference?
