Despite his childhood obsession with the original Star Wars films, especially The Empire Strikes Back, he has grown frustrated with the series, particularly criticizing Return of the Jedi for its tone and direction.

Denis Villeneuve, acclaimed director of the Dune films, has publicly stated his disinterest in directing a Star Wars movie, citing a lack of creativity and a feeling that the franchise has become too codified for his artistic vision.

He expressed disappointment with the direction of Star Wars, particularly after the original trilogy, feeling that it has become overly formulaic and predictable, which has diminished its appeal for him.

Villeneuve remarked, 'I never left Star Wars, Star Wars left me,' highlighting his disillusionment with the franchise's recent developments.

Villeneuve humorously recalled that as a teenager, he and a friend were so upset with Return of the Jedi that they fantasized about confronting George Lucas over their dissatisfaction.

His negative feelings towards the franchise stem from a belief that it has lost its elegance and failed to follow the psychological journeys of its characters, particularly Luke Skywalker.

While Villeneuve has distanced himself from Star Wars, he has successfully created significant sci-fi works, including Blade Runner 2049 and the Dune films, which reflect his own creative vision.

Currently, Villeneuve is focused on developing a third Dune movie, which will adapt Frank Herbert's Dune Messiah, set twelve years after the first novel.

Dune 3 is scheduled for release on December 18, 2026, and Villeneuve aims for it to have a distinct identity rather than conforming to traditional trilogy structures.

Despite plans for Dune 3, Villeneuve has remained non-committal about its status, even as development plans were confirmed by Legendary in April 2024.

Meanwhile, the Star Wars franchise continues to expand, with a busy schedule of new projects, including a trilogy by Simon Kinberg and several TV series and films in development.

Villeneuve's preference for unique, individual films over franchise projects reflects his desire to explore more experimental storytelling, contrasting sharply with what he perceives as the safe approach of Star Wars.