Almost exactly one year ago, published IndieWire an interview with JJ Abrams. He was asked if the backlash against The Last Jedi would have any effect on his Episode IX. Here’s what he had to say then:
Asked by IndieWire about pushback from “Star Wars” fans who decried Rian Johnson’s film for its focus on more female-centric stories (bolstered by the edition of franchise newbies like Laura Dern and Kelly Marie Tran), Abrams was clear: “Their problem isn’t ‘Star Wars,’ their problem is being threatened by women.”
Asked if fan outcry would at all impact his vision for the upcoming film, Abrams was clear. “Not in the least,” he said, adding, “There’s a lot that I would like to say about it, but I feel like it’s a little early to be having the ‘Episode IX’ conversation … I will say that the story of Rey and Poe and Finn and Kylo Ren — and if you look, there are three men and one woman, to those that are complaining that there are too many women in ‘Star Wars’ — their story continues in a way that I couldn’t be more excited about and cannot wait for people to see.”
Oh how times have changed.
Recently JJ Abrams was asked this same question by Entertainment Tonight, and let’s just say that his answer wasn’t nearly as belligerent this time around.
“Every movie is its own movie.” ~JJ Abrams
What a difference a year makes.
Originally published here.
