The face of the Star Wars franchise is ever-changing. Just recently, we learned that Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss would be writing and producing a series of Star Wars films for Disney. And soon after that, legendary composer John Williams let it be known that Episode IX would be his last Star Wars film, leaving the door open for a new talent…say Thrones’ own Ramin Djawadi?
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 21: Jon Favreau attends Tribeca Talks: Jon Favreau with Scarlett Johansson during 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at SVA Theatre on April 21, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)
And now, the franchise is adding another new face to its already impressive roster of writers, producers and directors. StarWars.com has announced that Jon Favreau will write and executive produce a live-action Star Wars series for Disney’s new streaming service.
Favreau and Disney go way back. He portrays Happy Hogan in many of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films, directed the first two Iron Man movies, helmed the live-action version of The Jungle Book, and is currently in production on the live-action version of The Lion King. So the guy has experience with the kinds of special effects necessary to bring the Star Wars universe to life.
NEW YORK – APRIL 28: Director Jon Favreau and actor Robert Downey Jr. attend the after-party for ‘Iron Man’ hosted by The Cinema Society and Michael Kors at The Odeon on April 28, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Favreau is familiar with that universe, too; he provided the voice of villain Pre Vizsla in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, and will voice a character named Rio Durant in the upcoming Solo: A Star Wars Story.
Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy praised Favreau for his “perfect mix of producing and writing talent,” and said she “couldn’t be more excited about Jon coming on board to produce and write for the new direct-to-consumer platform.” Favreau is pretty exciting about the whole thing, too:
If you told me at 11 years old that I would be getting to tell stories in the Star Wars universe, I wouldn’t have believed you. I can’t wait to embark upon this exciting adventure.
As of right now, Favreau’s live-action Star Wars series has neither a name nor a release date, which is standard operating procedure for Disney. The Mouse likes to keep its secrets close to the vest. Stay tuned.
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