In the latest issue of Total Film (via sister site Games Radar), Abrams talked about how The Force Awakens differs from The Rise of Skywalker, as far as his filmmaking approach is concerned.
Abrams also talked about how Rian Johnson inspired him to swing for the fences without feeling constrained or worrying about following and established formula. This may rub some fans the wrong way, understandably so. There were a lot of fans who disliked The Last Jedi because Johnson took certain Star Wars ideas and turned its own its head. Not only that, Johnson also took the most popular Jedi in all of Star Wars, Luke Skywalker and turned him into a highly vulnerable, highly flawed human being with profound regrets. Personally, I love Johnson’s The Last Jedi. I believe for Star Wars to live and thrive, first Star Wars needs to die, in the sense that it needs to break free from the shackles of the past. Well, here’s to hoping that JJ Abrams delivers an emotionally charged, rousing and also shocking finale. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits Malaysian cinemas this 18 December.