Spoiler warning:If you haven’t seenStar Wars: The Force Awakens,you may not want to read on.
J.J. Abramsmade his first appearance at the TCAs to promote hisStephen Kingproject with Hulu,11.22.63, and returned today for Showtime’s panel onCameron Crowe’sRoadies. Afterwards, he answered some moreStar Warsquestions (of course), including about Rey’s lineage, and what he knows about it:
I know quite a bit, but obviously, it’s not for me to talk about in this moment because this is Rian [Johnson]’s story now and the last thing I want to do is reveal something he’ll get upset about.
Completely fair, and unsurprising. Speaking ofEpisode VIIIthough, he also addressed those comments that his pal, actorGreg Grunberg, made off-handedly about Abrams “regretting” not directingEpisode VIII, saying:
“Here’s the thing about Greg. You put a microphone in front of him and you never know what you’re going to get. I love my friend Greg. He’s my best friend since kindergarten. I think that my enthusiasm for VIII is enormous, I think he also might have invented a couple of the quotes that he gave. I’m very excited for it and jealous of anyone, especially Rian, who gets to work so closely with this extraordinary cast and crew. Truly an amazing group. In that regard, for sure. But honestly, I’m also relieved to have gotten the chance to make aStar Warsmovie.”
Abrams the followed that up by fan-boying out over the excellent composerJohn Williams(you can actually watch him in actionhere), saying he was bowled over whenever Williams would ask his opinion on something, praising his collaborate nature.
“Oh my God, it was unbelievable. First of all, he was a hero since I was a little kid, beforeStar Warscame out, I listened to his albums. He is the most generous and gentle and sweet and thoughtful person I think I’ve met. He’s really just - he’s like a dream human being who doesn’t quite act lie he’s accomplished anything. Meaning his modesty is so true and pure. He talks just like anyone might, but he’s also had maybe the biggest imprint or impact on American film than anyone, period. He’s so sweet and modest, and it’s so genuinely who he is, it just shows you how you can accomplish extraordinary things and not walk around like you’ve accomplished extraordinary things. That alone is inspiring, and then of course, his music is just otherworldly and fantastic.”
Abrams was also asked again about his reaction to the success of the film, to which he replied,
I’m just incredibly relieved that the movie’s out and it was well received. I’m more excited when I hear that people went with their parents, who took them to the original movie when they were kids, or took their own kids who maybe never saw aStar Warsmovie and who fell in love with Rey or found Finn to be someone they want to be for Halloween. Those kind of stories are frankly infinitely more impactful and gratifying than the numbers, which are wonderful and I’m very grateful everyone went to see the film, but it’s most exciting to hear that people actually went and had an experience.
To wrap things up, one journalist asked Abrams if he was told he had to killHarrison Ford, which Abrams replied to by saying, “First of all, I didn’t kill Harrison Ford. Just for the record, but we knew we needed to do something that was bold and maybe unexpected.”
Late last week, Abrams also commented onPerson of Interestlikely endingafter Season 5 as well as the fact that there willnot be an extended editionofThe Force Awakens. you may stay up to date with all ofour ongoing coverage of the TCA 2016 Winter Press Tourhere. (Not familiar with the TCAs? Read our handyexplainer).
