'Star Wars: Episode IX' to be shot on film, director pledges - CNET

Enlarge Image

With "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" making box office records left and right, it's clear director J.J. Abrams' decision to use more practical effects and be less dependent on CGI has paid off.

And all the subsequent films in the beloved space saga will have a tough act to follow.

So it's no surprise that "Star Wars: Episode IX" director Colin Trevorrow said he plans to pass on digital and shoot in film instead. That's despite the fact he's fresh off a big hit with "Jurassic World," which relied heavily on digital effects. "The Force Awakens," released in December, is the seventh film in the series. Rian Johnson is directing the next installment, set for release in late 2017.

"There's something in my brain that says, 'Well, they didn't have video cameras then,'" said Trevorrow, referring to period films, according to a Variety report. At the Sundance Film Festival on Thursday, he spoke during a panel discussion about movie theaters converting to digital projectors due to more and more directors being pressured by studios to shoot in digital formats. Trevorrow came to prominence with lo-fi indie hit "Safety Not Guaranteed."

"Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan, who was also on the panel, agreed with Trevorrow in his praise for film over digital.