‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’: J.J. Abrams Reveals Steven Spielberg’s Contributions

'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' director J.J. Abrams reveals in a new directors commentary two moments from the film that were suggested by Steven Spielberg.

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Often referred to as the Spielberg of his generation, it was not much of a surprise when it was reported that J. J. Abrams had been championed by Steven Spielberg himself to be given directorial duties on the first film in a new series of Star Wars projects following Lucasfilm’s acquisition by Disney. However, even after a reluctant Abrams was convinced to take on the challenge, Spielberg had further contributions to make to the new Star Wars trilogy. In a new directors commentary for the upcoming Collectors Edition box set for The Force Awakens, Abrams reveals two moments from the film that originated from the mind of Spielberg

The first moment occurs after Poe and Finn have crash landed their TIE fighter in the desert of Jakku. When the TIE fighter begins to sink in the sand, Abrams explains that Spielberg was the one who suggested that a large explosion follow.

“While this is a CG effect of the swallowing, this explosion was Steven Spielberg’s idea. He loved the idea that the thing get sucked into the sand and then… that!”

The second idea that was suggested by Spielberg is featured during the climatic lightsaber battle between Kylo Ren, Rey and Finn.

“When I showed the first cut of this scene to Steven Spielberg … he suggested ‘What if trees were falling while they were fighting?’ And I said ‘That’s cool, but we’ve shot the scene already.’ And then I said to [visual effects supervisor] Roger Guyett, ‘Is there any way we could have trees falling?’ And he said, ‘If you want to pay for it.’ So we did.

This is not the first time Steven Spielberg has lent his creative talent to the Star Wars franchise. As recently as the final installment of the prequel trilogy, Revenge of the Sith, Spielberg served as a guest director for the animatic stages of the Mustafar lightsaber battle sequence.

Directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Force Awakens stars 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 3D Collector’s Edition will be available on November 15, 2016.

Source: Screen Crush

Sebastian Peris

Sebastian Peris

Canadian film buff, political junkie, comic book geek, and board game enthusiast.