J.J. Abrams Credits Rian Johnson for Daring Approach on Rise of Skywalker

J.J. Abrams credits Rian Johnson for his more daring approach on The Rise of Skywalker

In a recent interview with Total Film (via io9), director J.J. Abrams was asked about the new approach for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and how different it is from The Force Awakens.

“In Episode 7, I was adhering to a kind of approach that felt right for Star Wars in my head,” Abrams said. “It was about finding a visual language, like shooting on locations and doing practical things as much as possible. And we continue that in Episode 9, but I also found myself doing things that I’m not sure I would have been as daring to do on Episode 7.”

Abrams revealed that he got inspired with Rian Johnson’s bold approach on The Last Jedi. That’s why, he wasn’t hesitant anymore to take riskier decisions and a more daring approach on The Rise of Skywalker than he did with The Force Awakens.

“Rian helped remind me that that’s why we’re on these movies—not to just do something that you’ve seen before,” Abrams further explained. “I won’t say that I felt constrained or limited on 7, but I found myself wanting to do something that felt more consistent with the original trilogy than not. And on 9, I found myself feeling like I’m just gonna go for it a bit more.”

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Returning cast members for The Rise of Skywalker include Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Joonas Suotamo and Billie Lourd. Joining the cast are Naomi Ackie (Doctor Who), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lord of the Rings), and Keri Russell (The Americans), who will also be joined by veteran Star Wars actors Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels and Billy Dee Williams, who will reprise his role as Lando Calrissian. The role of Leia Organa will once again be played by Carrie Fisher, using previously unreleased footage shot for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

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In addition to directing, Abrams co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio (Argo, Justice League). Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, and Abrams will produce, with Callum Greene and Jason McGatlin executive producing. Composer John Williams, who has scored every chapter in the Star Wars saga since 1977’s A New Hope, will return to a galaxy far, far away with Rise of Skywalker.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is scheduled for release on December 20.