Brad Bird was sought out as the first choice for the director's job of Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015). Bird respectfully declined the offer in order to do Tomorrowland (2015). Bird stated when you get the rare chance to do an original film like Tomorrowland (2015), you take the opportunity. Bird went on to say, he is a huge Star Wars fan though and he looks forward (as a fan) to seeing the film like everyone else.