Online rumours suggest superstar filmmaker Christopher Nolan is gearing up to helm a solo Darth Vader film with Hayden Christensen.
Where did the rumours come from, and are they valid?
Film News Blitz writer Bella Ford reports…
The meeting
The all-star director Nolan and George Lucas crossed paths during the opening of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in LA.
This grabbed fans’ attention and began the speculation that Nolan held an interest in making a Star Wars film.
Nolan has always made it clear that he’s a big Star Wars fan, and how much the originals influenced him.
Several social accounts across numerous platforms picked up the Nolan/Lucas meeting and ran with the idea of the former directing a Vader project.
Christensen, who has famously portrayed Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader across Star Wars films and television series, did respond to the speculation at the opening gala with E! News.
“Oh, I think those are just rumours, ” Christensen said with a smile.
“Of course I would be thrilled to do that, but right now those are just rumours.”
There’s hope.
More fan speculation
On 8 October, a verified fan page of Christensen posted an artwork of Darth Vader with the caption “Who wants a Vader movie?” on Instagram.
And the hashtags were: #haydenchristensen #christophernolan #denisvilleneuve #darthvader #starwars.
Fans have consistently been speculating on social media.
Clearly there’s an appetite for a Nolan-made Vader movie.
Still, beyond fan accounts on social media, there haven’t been any credible sources suggesting a Nolan Star Wars film is likely to happen.
So, there doesn’t appear to be much validity behind the speculation, just fan frenzy.
But, you can never say never.
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’
Mark Hamill was also in attendance to celebrate the opening of the Lucas Museum.
The Luke Skywalker actor was quizzed by E! News about Ryan Gosling, who leads the upcoming Star Wars: Starfighter, which hits theatres in May 2027.
Hamill was very complimentary towards Gosling, saying, “He’s great in everything, perfect personality for it, I just know he’ll be great, he’s great in everything!”
Fans got a sneak peek of the new film at Disney’s D23 event, showing Gosling alongside his on-screen nephew.
It shows Gosling walking in on a child uncovering a spaceship, “Didn’t I tell you not to touch anything?”
The film is set five years after the events of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Episode IX) and will share special IMAX limelight with the re-release of the original Star Wars film, to celebrate the saga’s 50th anniversary.
Moreover, director Jon Watts and writer Simon Kinberg are reportedly working on the first of a new trilogy of Skywalker Saga films, to further carry on the story from Episode IX.
It is an exciting time to be a Star Wars fan beyond speculating about a possible Vader film thanks to a Gosling-led flick coming to cinemas next year, and the promise of a new trilogy further down the line.
READ NEXT – Film news: Director Jon Watts tapped to kick off new ‘Star Wars’ Skywalker trilogy
