Del Toro Passed ‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ & Wanted Brad Bird to Direct

Another day, and another director has revealed his decision to not direct Star Wars: Episode VII. Though we haven’t heard that Hellboy and Pan’s Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro was in consideration to direct the sci-fi sequel that has been under much scrutiny since being announced last fall, the filmmaker talked to The Playlist and revealed that he passed on the project already. The director said, “It was just a phone call, it didn’t go past that, it was very nice to be asked, but believe it or not, I’m busy enough. It was very flattering.” We’re aware of how busy del Toro has been for years, so we’re not surprised. So does the director, who has also done plenty of producing, have any ideas for who should direct? Well, sadly the only name he offers as his favorite option is a director who is already out of the running. But …