Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker director J.J. Abrams discussed the controversial Midi-chlorians with the franchise’s creator, George Lucas.
In a recent interview with Total Film, J.J. Abrams revealed that while developing Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, he looked to George Lucas for guidance in regards to the nature of the Force, which includes the controversial detail regarding Midi-chlorians, which were intelligent microscopic life forms that lived symbiotically inside the cells of all living things, and those with a higher count of Midi-chlorians are “Force Sensitive”.
You can read what J.J. Abrams had to say about his Midi-chlorians discussion with George Lucas down below:
“He had a lot of things to say about the nature of the Force, the themes that he was dealing with when he was writing the movies. Yes, there were some conversations about Midi-chlorians – he loves his Midi-chlorians. But it was a very helpful thing. Sitting with him is a treat, just to hear him talk, because it’s fucking George Lucas talking about Star Wars. I always feel it’s a gift to hear him talk about that stuff. Because the effect that he had on me at 10 years old is utterly profound.”
The concept of Midi-chlorians were introduced in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace when Qui-Gon Jinn (Liam Neeson) discussed them with young Anakin Skywalker (Jake Lloyd). The scientific explanation behind those who are Force Sensitive was criticized by many fans, with many preferring the aura of mystery behind the Force rather than George Lucas’ decision to explain it through biology.
Either way, it is interesting to hear that J.J. Abrams had a discussion with George Lucas on the nature of the Force and even Midi-chlorians. If anything, this just goes to show that J.J. Abrams’ intentions to have The Rise of Skywalker serve as a definitive conclusion to all nine films rings true if he’s willing to reference elements from the Prequel Trilogy, of which George Lucas was the primary auteur behind.
Here is the synopsis for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker:
Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.
Directed by J.J. Abrams from a script he co-wrote with Chris Terrio, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran with Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker arrives in our galaxy on December 20, 2019.
Source: Total Film
