JJ Abrams Discusses Star Wars 8 And Director Rian Johnson

JJ Abrams has given an extended interview ahead of the release of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ and discussed how it accommodates 'Episode 8’ and director Rian Johnson.

Speaking to Wired he confirmed that the script for the sequel is written (pending rewrites) and talked his role in getting it made.

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“The script for 'VIII’ is written. I’m sure rewrites are going to be endless, like they always are,” said Abrams. “But what Larry and I did was set up certain key relationships, certain key questions, conflicts. And we knew where certain things were going.

"We had meetings with Rian and Ram Bergman, the producer of 'VIII’. They were watching dailies when we were shooting our movie. We wanted them to be part of the process, to make the transition to their film as seamless as possible. I showed Rian an early cut of the movie, because I knew he was doing his rewrite and prepping.”

Abrams also discussed the extent to which the film is Johnson’s, perhaps revealing that some changes were made to 'The Force Awakens’ at his request (the language is a bit vague).

“Withholding serves no one and certainly not the fans. So we’ve been as transparent as possible. Rian has asked for a couple of things here and there that he needs for his story.

"He is an incredibly accomplished filmmaker and an incredibly strong writer. So the story he told took what we were doing and went in the direction that he felt was best but that is very much in line with what we were thinking as well. But you’re right — that will be his movie; he’s going to do it in the way he sees fit. He’s neither asking for nor does he need me to oversee the process.”

Johnson was hired in June. Best known for directing cult classics 'Brick’ and 'Looper’, his appointment was a popular one and the film is currently filming.

'Episode 8’ is set for release on 26 May 2017.

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Picture Credits: LucasFilm.