Josh Trank a No-Show at ‘Star Wars’ Panel
On the last day of the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, Calif., “Star Wars: Rogue One” director Gareth Edwards and the director of an untitled standalone film, Josh Trank, were set to partake in a much-hyped panel about the upcoming spinoffs.
But, come Sunday, while Edwards was there to share plenty of new details about “Rogue One,” including a plot synopsis and a short teaser, Trank was nowhere to be found.
Pablo Hidalgo, the moderator of the panel that also included Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy and Kiri Hart, said Trank was “under the weather.” However, Trank’s absence from the panel seemed very last minute — his name was large on the jumbotron at the convention center just moments before the panel began, and he was mentioned in press releases in the week leading up to the event.
Moreover, the panel was billed as a “conversation” with Edwards and Trank about their respective “Star Wars” films.
For his part, Trank took to social media to express remorse for not being there, saying that he was indeed sick.
“Hey all. So, so, so sad to have missed today. Worst flu of my life. I hear it went beautifully with Gareth. Here’s to next year,” he tweeted a couple of hours after the panel ended.
Perhaps as a result of Trank’s absence, no info was shared about the “Star Wars” film that he’s set to direct, focusing solely on “Rogue One.” Very little of Trank’s film has been revealed — a title, logline and cast has yet to be announced.
According to one source, Trank is still attached to direct a “Star Wars” standalone film. However, what makes Trank’s timing even more interesting is the fact that a trailer for 20th Century Fox’s highly anticipated “Fantastic Four” reboot, which he directed, hit the Web as the panel was happening.
“Fantastic Four” stars Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordon and Jamie Bell, and debuts on Aug. 7.
20th Century Fox said no director or writer is set for the next possible “Fantastic Four” movie. Fox also used to distribute the “Star Wars” films before Disney bought Lucasfilm in 2012.
Disney had no comment on Trank’s absence.
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