'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' - J.J. Abrams Explains Connection to Episode VIII

'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' - J.J. Abrams Explains Connection to Episode VIII

The Saga Continues

By Alex Burns

'The Force Awakens' is out next month and already there's some talk about what's to follow, while it may be a bit premature from most sources, it's probably best to pay attention when director J.J. Abrams has something to say. In a great interview with Wired, Abrams was drawn on a lot of Star Wars topics but it's his comments on the link between episodes VII and VIII that's really caught our attention. Check out his comments below

“The script for VIII is written. I’m sure rewrites are going to be endless, like they always are. But what Larry (Kasdan) 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. And as executive producer of VIII, I need that movie to be really good. 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.”

Rian Johnson is onboard to direct Episode VIII and while we're of course lookign forward to it we're in no rush to see this new trilogy end anytime soon, let's enjoy the specualtion, it's the best part other than watching the films for the first time! 

Set approximately 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, new leads Finn, Rey, and Poe Dameron take charge in a new adventure across a galaxy far, far away and along the way they'll encounter your favourite characters returning from previous Star Wars films.

Directed by J.J. Abrams and featuring a cast including Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Max von Sydow, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' is set for release December 18th 2015.
 

Keep it locked at Cape and Cowl for more Star Wars news but until then, may the force be with you.