Star Wars 9: Does The Book of Henry have Star Wars fans on edge?

Director Colin Trevorrow on the set of THE BOOK OF HENRY, a Focus Features release. Credit: Alison Cohen Rosa / Focus Features

Star Wars fans are probably sitting on edge following The Book of Henry, a film directed by Star Wars 9 director Colin Trevorrow, opened up to negative reviews.

While it is an independent film, the film was shot after Jurassic World–which is the film that earned Trevorrow the directing gig for the third film in the newest Star Wars trilogy.  I haven’t had the opportunity to screen The Book of Henry.  I had plans to see it and then the press embargo broke, giving me and so many others some pause.  It is true that not everything can be a hit but when you’re directing the third film of the new Star Wars trilogy, there are some expectations that are set upon you.

The fact that it’s an indie and not a studio release doesn’t do much to change those expectations outside of the box office since indies traditionally don’t make as much as a studio film would do.  Does the fault belong to Trevorrow or screenwriter Gregg Hurwitz?  Playing in 579 theaters this weekend, The Book of Henry finished outside the top ten with just over $1.4 million at the box office.

Going forward into the future trilogies and stand-alone films, I’m hoping that Lucasfilm will start giving women directors an opportunity to direct a Star Wars film, too.  This is an area in which there’s not so much opportunity out there when it comes to directing a studio blockbuster and this is an area that really needs to change and sooner rather than later.

Having enjoyed Jurassic World, I’m willing to give Trevorrow the benefit of the doubt with Star Wars 9.

Danielle Solzman

Danielle Solzman is native of Louisville, KY, and holds a BA in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University and a MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She roots for her beloved Kentucky Wildcats, St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Celtics. Living less than a mile away from Wrigley Field in Chicago, she is an active reader (sports/entertainment/history/biographies/select fiction) and involved with the Chicago improv scene. She also sees many movies and reviews them. She has previously written for Redbird Rants, Wildcat Blue Nation, and Hidden Remote/Flicksided. From April 2016 through May 2017, her film reviews can be found on Creators.

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