Guillermo Del Toro was approached to do new ‘Star Wars’ film, but turned it down

Pacific Rim director Guillermo Del Toro was reportedly a candidate to direct the seventh Star Wars film, but he recently revealed that he has turned down the chance to do so.

Back in November, the Pan’s Labyrinth director said that he had read the rumblings on the web, but “they haven’t formally approached me.” But in a new interview with The Playlist, Del Toro said he was offered the job, but his packed schedule prevented him from taking it.

“We got one phone call to my agent saying, 'Is Guillermo interested?' And basically I have so much stuff already of my own, and I'm pursuing stuff that I'm generating already,” he said, noting that he had to turn it down.

“It was very flattering,” he added. “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.”

As for who he’d like to see direct Star Wars: Episode VII, Del Toro chose Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol director Brad Bird. “I think the fans deserve somebody that is just going to immerse themselves completely. As a geek, I would have loved to see Brad Bird take it,” he said.

However, Bird already confirmed that he’s not doing it either. Bird is working on 1952 with George Clooney.

Del Toro has several projects in the works, including Pacific Rim, which hits theaters in July.

The new Star Wars film hits theaters in 2015. Toy Story 3 writer Michael Arndt will write the script.