We’ve already told you about rumours that Matthew Vaughn might direct Star Wars: Episode VII, but what about the directors who definitely won’t be taking the helm? Last week, several high profile candidates took themselves out of the running, namely Steven Spielberg, Zack Snyder, and Quentin Tarantino. “It’s not my genre,” Spielberg told Access Hollywood. “It’s my best friend George’s genre.” Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Snyder (300, Watchmen) explained that he’s “a huge Star Wars fanatic,” but he doesn’t think he’d be interested, as it’s a “slippery slope” and would require “a lot of effort.”

The outspoken Tarantino had the most colourful response to this question, which makes sense, as he is neither a gun-for-hire, nor a CGI-obsessed effects movie director. “I could so care less,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “No, sorry. Especially if Disney’s going to do it.” He elaborated on this last point, explaining that he’s “not interested in the Simon West version,” presumably a reference to Con Air, West’s widely derided Disney vehicle from 1997. If Matthew Vaughn—who, like West, is a British director known for making disposable action films—turns out to be the director of Episode VII, this comparison could be surprisingly apt.

While some filmmakers have taken their names off the table, Conan O’Brien has brought to light the interest of two surprising candidates: Todd Phillips (Old School, The Hangover) and Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums, Moonrise Kingdom). Best known for directing comedies, Phillips and Anderson might seem like better candidates for a Spaceballs sequel, but their Star Wars audition tapes suggest some intriguing new directions the franchise could take. Take note, Disney.