Here Today, Gone Trevorrow: "Book of Henry" Director Off Star Wars

by Daniel Crooke

While rumors of internal discontent have swirled since the release (and subsequent critical evisceration) of his heartwarming revenge thriller The Book of Henry, the Kiss of Death for Colin Trevorrow in the Star Wars Universe may just have been the moment Sarah Silverman laid a wet one on a dying boy genius as a parting gift from the suffering of this mortal coil.

Of course, this is speculation. Despite the timing of his departure – mere months after the catastrophic miscalculation that was Henry, onscreen and at the box office – what we do know, per a statement from Disney, is this: Colin Trevorrow has parted ways with Lucasfilm, and will no longer direct the ninth installment of the Star Wars franchise...

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Thoughts I Had... First Look at "The Book of Henry"

Chris here with a first official image. Let's try not to hold Jurassic World's flatness against director Colin Trevorrow. While he may be the current whipping boy for the internet's derision at indie directors making the abrupt transition into franchise entertainments, his debut Safety Not Guaranteed had the charms and spunk to hint at a career making heartwarming fare. And wouldn't you know, that's exactly what he's got planned for this fall's The Book of Henry.

The family drama opens this September curiously right after the Toronto Film Festival wraps up. Here's the first image from the film, featuring child stars Jaeden Leiberher (St Vincent) and Jacob Tremblay (Room):

Some thoughts:

• Jaeden Leiberher is still holding on to those Midnight Special goggles?
• Colin Trevorrow is slated to direct Star Wars: Episode IX, which makes notorious uberfan Tremblay just one degree removed from the franchise. It's been said ad nauseum, but I must restate: the world is a cruel place indeed if he can't be in Star Wars. Come on, Trevorrow, be a pal!
• Naomi Watts plays both boys' mother. Her recent track record of screen mothers has ranged from Oscar nominated (The Impossible) to shaky (Demolition) to ghastly (the Divergent series). Where will this one land?
• The plot promises "a boy genius". Which of these two is the brainy one?
• For all of Jurassic World's faults, it's strongest asset was the brother relationship at its heart. Trevorrow's got two natural talents here, so maybe there could be great chemistry.

Consider me excited to give Trevorrow another shot with something on a smaller scale. What do you think of the first look at The Book of Henry?