Obi-Wan Kenobi saw Debrah Chow make her Star Wars debut as a director in full control of the six-episode TV show. Chow had directed episodes of Better Caul Saul, The Mandalorian, American Gods, and along with a handful of other shows. Chow captured Obi-Wan Kenobi's mystique and magic while also displaying Darth Vader in his infancy.
Obi-Wan Kenobi was one of my favorite shows. Despite the fact it could have been better in some aspects, the show provided a much-needed retrospective of one of the most beloved characters. Chow not only gave us Darth Vader, but we also got to see Alderaan, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, and even inquisitors in live-action for the first time.
This got me thinking, which directors do I think deserve a shot at their own Star Wars TV show or movie? Here are three directors I think would be great.
1. Chad Stahelski
Chad Stahelski is best known for the John Wick movies, and he's even expressed interest in directing one. Stahelski has shown he can direct multiple movies in the same universe and be successful in all of them. Not to mention, Star Wars could use a rated R film with a bunch of action.
"“I’m a Star Wars guy, like, the first Star Wars changed my life. Maybe someday out there. Disney, if you’re listening, hit me in a couple of years, and I have a couple of takes for Star Wars."Chad Stahelski on Star Wars
Stahelski stated in the same interview that Lionsgate is trying to develop a John Wick TV show, leaving questions about when he would be available for Star Wars content. I've been wanting a violent Darth Vader TV show for some time now. I'd like it to follow Kieron Gillen's 2015 comic run immediately after A New Hope's events. At this point, the Emperor blames Vader for his part in destroying the Death Star and sets Vader out to prove his loyalty to the Empire by hunting down Luke Skywalker. This also included fan-favorite Doctor Aphra and bounty hunters such as Boba Fett, Bossk, and Black Karrsanton.
Stahelski would fit a show like this with intense fight scenes, bringing multiple characters into a plot, and rounding it out in a way that makes sense.
2. Alex Garcia-Lopez
Known for directing episodes of Daredevil and The Punisher, Garcia-Lopez is very good at combining drama and action in his directions. He also directed my favorite episodes of Daredevil and The Punisher, containing long, one-shot fights.
Born in Argentina, Garcia-Lopez worked his way up the ladder of success by attending college and getting his shot. Marvel took a chance on him and gave him two episodes that would be hard to pull off with one-shot fight scenes. However, he crafted them to perfection.
Alex Garcia-Lopez would be perfect for a live-action The Clone Wars adaptation involving Rex and the 501st. Give me a long, one-shot fight in hand-to-hand combat with super battle droids and possibly a Jedi or two.
3. Bryce Dallas-Howard
Bryce Dallas-Howard is probably the easiest on this list to recommend. Not only does she know what Star Wars fans want, as she has directed the most successful episodes of The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, but she also understands how to create a fleshed-out story.
Episode 5 of The Book of Boba Fett was seen as one of the best in the entire Star Wars TV show catalog. Fans got to see the Naboo Star Fighter and then Mos Espa for the first time since The Phantom Menace.
Dallas-Howard would be fantastic in a story-driven show involving multiple characters and plot lines, such as a show like Andor. I'd love to see her take on a show about Bounty Hunters and possibly follow the Bounty Hunter comic line from the late 2010s. Like the Darth Vader comics listed above, the Bounty Hunter comic line is violent and needs someone unafraid to take creative risks. Dallas-Howard is perfect for this role.