J.J. Abrams: Ava DuVernay Would Kill Directing Star Wars Film

Not one Star Warsfilm has been directed by a woman to date, but the franchises most recent director has someone in mind for when that changes. In a conversation with Nerdists Dan Casey (via Variety),Star Wars: The Force Awakensdirector and co-writer J.J. Abrams saidSelmadirector Ava DuVernaywould be his choice for a female director/writer to helm one of the franchises movies.

The knee-jerk reaction, if I had to, is Ava DuVernay, who I think would just kill it, Abrams said when asked what female director/writer hed pick.

He cited DuVernays work on Selma as well as her strong knowledge of genre films as reasons shed be a good fit.

She is as much a fan of genre movies, and hearing her talk not just Star Wars, but hearing her talk about those kinds of films is evidence that she would just kill it, he continued. When you look at her work in Selma, which was as well-told and as sophisticated and humane a film as I think has come out in the last decade, if she can do that story that well, theres no question she would kill this movie.

In response to a Nerdist tweetwhich said, J.J. Abrams thinks Ava DuVernay should direct a #StarWars movie and included a link to the interview, DuVernay tweeted, The force is strong with this one.

While the Star Wars franchise hasnt had a female director yet, one of its leading actresses, Carrie Fisher, recently discussed the feminist aspects of her character, Princess Leia, with Rolling Stone. You know, they opened the door, but then it was, What are we doing now?' Fisher said of the moment her character was locked up and the male characters rescue her. And she bossed them aroundand also I wasnt some babe running through the galaxy with my tits bouncing around.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters on December 18th.