Bryce Dallas To Direct Star Wars Movie? Mando Show Executive Explains

The future of Star Wars was unknown following the release of The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. That is, until the release of The Mandalorian

By Akshay Sharma
May 12,2022
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The future of Star Wars was unknown following the release of The Rise of Skywalker in 2019. That is, until the release of The Mandalorian on Disney+, which gave fans new hope. While the show premiered a month before the final film in the Skywalker Saga, its popularity only expanded throughout its first season and subsequent Season 2, which contained episodes directed by a variety of directors. But arguably no director has had as big of an impact on fans as Bryce Dallas Howard.

Bryce Dallas Howard, the Jurassic World actress and daughter of Solo: A Star Wars Story director Ron Howard, made her directorial debut with Chapter 4 of The Mandalorian in the galaxy far, far away. She followed that up by leading the way on Season 2’s Chapter 11, which saw Bo-Katan Kryze brought to life.

While both episodes were well-received, Howard’s Mando-centric episode of The Book of Boba Fett, “Return of the Mandalorian,” piqued fans’ interest in her directing a Star Wars feature picture.

So, would the actress and director consider making the transition from Disney+ to the big screen? Fans are finally receiving answers now that the Jurassic World Dominion press tour has begun. Bryce Dallas Howard responded to queries about her interest in directing a Star Wars picture in an interview with Gizmodo by saying, “Oh, my gosh, I’m speechless. It would probably take someone asking me.”

Lucasfilm has announced several Star Wars films to far, with Rogue Squadron set to hit theatres in late 2023. While Kevin Feige’s Star Wars feature is apparently in the works, little information regarding the studio’s other projects, such as Rian Johnson’s trilogy and Taika Waititi’s film, has been released. Many fans are looking forward to the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California, which takes place from May 26 to 29. When asked if she was startled to be directing a Mandalorian episode in a series called The Book of Boba Fett, Howard said, “Oh, no. I mean, that was fantastic… I adore Mando:”

“Oh, no. That was really fantastic. Since the beginning, [producers] Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni have been tremendously inclusive. As a result, it’s something they had discussed. And it was just… incredible. Mando is my favourite.”

Bryce For Lucasfilm?

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Bryce Dallas Howard

Even though Howard was unsurprised by The Book of Boba Fett’s Mando episode, the fans were not. In fact, it felt more like the unofficial premiere of The Mandalorian’s third season than a continuation of Boba Fett’s solitary journey.

Fans didn’t seem to mind because of its flawless execution and spot-on Star Wars tone. This episode left Star Wars fans on a high, ranking as one of the best Star Wars Disney+ episodes yet, from Mando’s entry to the introduction of a new Star Wars planet to the reveal of Mando’s new ship.

Howard’s remark is particularly intriguing because she claims that Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni prepared this Book of Boba Fett episode in advance. The fact that she was chosen as the director speaks much more.

Perhaps Howard is already in talks to direct the much-discussed Star Wars Disney+ crossover event starring Mando, Ahsoka, and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars shows? With the start of filming for Ahsoka, it appears that ideas for a crossover have only grown, and with Star Wars Celebration approaching, an announcement could be on the way. After all, Howard’s statement about only needing to be asked conveys not only interest but also confidence. And, if Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy is aware of Howard’s consistency and success with her Star Wars episodes so far, it’s possible that discussions have already taken place.

Even said, the fact that Howard has yet to helm a feature-length film may deter Lucasfilm from employing her. That’s about to change, though, because her remake of 1986’s Flight of the Navigator is currently in pre-production. It would be in Lucasfilm’s best advantage to sign her up sooner rather than later if her work on The Mandalorian or The Book of Boba Fett is anything like it.