Game of Thrones Directors Turned Down Working in a Star Wars Movie Because of the $250 Million Deal With Netflix

The directors of ‘Game of Thrones’ opted for a streaming giant instead of one of the biggest franchises in Hollywood!

After a highly successful run with HBO’s Game of Thrones, many expected David Benioff and D.B. Weiss would smoothly move on to another pop culture juggernaut — Star Wars.
Star Wars
However, fans eager to see their vision for the galaxy far, far away, were disappointed. Just months after signing a massive $250 million deal with Netflix, Benioff and Weiss stepped down from their planned Star Wars project.

Star Wars Missed Out on Game of Thrones Directors Due to Netflix Deal

David Benioff and D.B. Weiss on the sets of Game Of Thrones

The news that David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were leaving the Star Wars project, which caught many off guard. They had landed a huge $250 million deal with Netflix, which they signed in August 2019. Their joint statement read (via THR):

“There are only so many hours in the day, and we felt we could not do justice to both Star Wars and our Netflix projects. So we are regretfully stepping away [from Star Wars].”

However, insiders reveal that the situation was more intricate. While the Netflix deal was a factor, Benioff and Weiss were apparently hesitant because of the intense scrutiny from fans that often comes with Star Wars projects. The two had already faced enough criticism for the controversial GOT Season 8.

The mixed reactions to The Last Jedi, directed by Rian Johnson, made them reconsider their involvement. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy was also worried about whether Benioff and Weiss could handle both the Netflix deal and a Star Wars trilogy.

They’re known for concentrating on one project at a time, but their need to be physically present on set for Netflix projects clashed with the demands of working on a Star Wars film.

Star Wars Faced Turmoil After David Benioff and D.B. Weiss Departure

Benioff and Weiss exit created a big hole in Lucasfilm’s Star Wars plans. Disney CEO Bob Iger had mentioned a “slowdown” of Star Wars movies, with more emphasis on Disney+ shows like The Mandalorian.

This move highlighted a bigger problem in the franchise: there’s no clear direction. Unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has a well-connected storyline, Star Wars has had a tough time finding a unified vision. The Last Jedi took some bold creative paths, which some people liked, but it also turned others off.

A still from Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker
That time, the hunt was on for fresh filmmakers to guide the future of Star Wars. With the news of Kevin Feige — the mastermind behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) — joining forces with Kathleen Kennedy to work on a Star Wars movie, there was an optimism that a more unified vision could take shape.

However, given the outspoken fanbase and the challenges with creative direction, the road ahead for Star Wars seemed uncertain. Since 2019, there hasn’t been much happening with Star Wars movies.

Several were announced to be in the making, but things kept getting pushed back or canceled. Now, as of early 2024, there’s buzz about five projects supposedly in the works, but nothing is definite yet.

So, while we haven’t seen new Star Wars movies on the big screen since 2019, there’s hope for the future with these projects in the works.