J.J. Abrams Thinks “Meta Approach” Made ‘Star Wars’ Fans Dislike ‘The Last Jedi’

J. J. Abrams Star Wars The Last Jedi The Rise of Skywalker

J.J. Abrams, director and co-writer of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker believes some fans disliked Star Wars: The Last Jedi due to the film’s meta approach.

Originally, J.J. Abrams was not set to direct The Rise of Skywalker. After finishing his work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he passed the director’s duties onto Rian Johnson, helmer of Star Wars: The Last JediJurassic World director Colin Trevorrow was originally set to conclude the trilogy, but exited the project due to creative differences which then led to J.J. Abrams returning to conclude the sequel trilogy he helped begin.

J.J. Abrams had three fewer months of post-production on The Rise of Skywalker than he did for The Force Awakens which added more to the stress of the job. In an interview with The New York Times in promotion for The Rise of Skywalker, J.J. Abrams revealed how he felt that The Last Jedi provided for him in writing the script for Episode IX with Academy Award-winner Chris Terrio (Argo, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice). You can read snippets of The New York Times’ interview with J.J. Abrams down below:

Abrams praised ‘The Last Jedi’ for being ‘full of surprises and subversion and all sorts of bold choices.’

“On the other hand,” he added, “it’s a bit of a meta approach to the story. I don’t think that people go to ‘Star Wars’ to be told, ‘This doesn’t matter.’

Even so, Abrams said ‘The Last Jedi’ laid the groundwork for ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ and ‘a story that I think needed a pendulum swing in one direction in order to swing in the other.'”

The Last Jedi hit theaters two years ago, and despite receiving positive reviews from critics, it left an infamous divide amongst the fanbase.

Where do you think J.J. Abrams is bringing to The Rise of Skywalker based on what writer/director Rian Johnson explored in The Last Jedi? Sound off in the comments below, and be sure to continue following Heroic Hollywood for all the latest news in the Star Wars universe.

Here’s 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, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker stars Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo, Billie Lourd, Naomi Ackie, Dominic Monaghan, Richard E. Grant, Keri Russell, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams. Carrie Fisher will appear as General Leia Organa through the use of previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will be released in theaters on December 20, 2019.

Source: The New York Times

Noah Villaverde

Noah Villaverde

Cinema lover. Saxophone player. Coffee consumer. Chronic complainer. Oh, I also write. #TeamHeroic