Why Gareth Edwards Won’t Return to Star Wars — Even After Making Its Best Film
He built the rebellion, moved fans to tears — then walked away.
What kind of filmmaker walks away from Star Wars — after making what fans consider one of its best chapters?
That would be Gareth Edwards, the mind behind Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Now back in the blockbuster spotlight with Jurassic World: Rebirth, Edwards remains resolutely uninterested in returning to a galaxy far, far away.
It’s like your mom
In an interview with Business Insider, Edwards described Star Wars as something that’s always been in his blood:
"It's the thing that was in my life before I knew what a film was. It's like your mom, it's like something that's a part of you."
For someone who reveres the original trilogy that deeply, his reluctance to rejoin the franchise might sound surprising. But according to Edwards, praise for Rogue One — no matter how glowing — isn't enough to tempt him back.
Fans say Rogue One beats the originals?
Some fans now rank Rogue One above even George Lucas’s own instalments — a bold claim in a fandom that rarely agrees on anything. But Edwards remains humble:
"I don't agree with it, but I appreciate it. I'm very grateful that people say nice things."
He adds that the real reward isn’t box office glory or critical acclaim, but this:
"It’s the kid who comes up to you 20 years from now and goes, 'Oh my god, I loved that movie!"'
What’s next?
With Jurassic World: Rebirth, Edwards is clearly chasing new creatures and new chaos. But for now, Star Wars fans will have to live with Rogue One as his one perfect shot in the galaxy.
