Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Entertainment
  3. News

The Star Wars Episode VIII script is so good JJ Abrams regrets not directing

By

hbo jj abrams glare comic con 2015
Image used with permission by copyright holder
After agreeing to take on the outrageously daunting task of resurrecting the Star Wars legacy (and setting the blueprint for Disney’s multi-billion dollar franchise), filmmaker J.J. Abrams will be handing over the reins to future installments in the new trilogy. And now he’s wishing that wasn’t the case.

Actor Greg Grunberg, a long-time friend of Abrams who plays Snap Wexley in The Force Awakens recently told the Washington Post‘s Comics Riffs that the director read the script for Episode VIII and thought it was “so good” that he wishes he were helming the film.

Recommended Videos

According to Grunberg, it’s rare to hear Abrams “express regret like that,” so the fact that he was so blown away by the script that he’s had second thoughts is a promising indication of what’s in store for fans. Rian Johnson, the man primarily responsible for the Episode VIII script, is also set to direct the film. Although his credits may not be as high-profile as some of Abrams’ so far, he’s known for the sci-fi flick Looper as well as his excellent take on film noir, Brick.

Moving forward, Abrams isn’t completely leaving the project behind. He’ll continue as an executive producer and had shared early cuts of The Force Awakens with Johnson prior to its release to make the transition more seamless. The change is a little nerve-wracking for fans, considering that Abrams brought us arguably the best Star Wars film since the original trilogy, but he seems to be leaving the fate of the series in good hands.

The Force Awakens has, of course, been a dominant force at the box office since its December 18 release. The film bested Jurassic World‘s seemingly indomitable opening, not to mention the fact that it shattered single-day box office records around the world. The film even inspired one devoted (and hardcore) fan to watch it nine times in a row to win an insane challenge.

With all of the momentum that the Star Wars franchise has now, we’re optimistic for its future — no matter who’s behind the camera. The Johnson-directed Star Wars Episode VIII is set to hit theaters in May 2017.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Stephanie Topacio Long
Stephanie Topacio Long
Contributor
Stephanie Topacio Long is a writer and editor whose writing interests range from business to books. She also contributes to…
The 10 most popular movies of all time, ranked by box office gross
The cast of Star Wars.

There are many reasons why a film can become hugely popular. It could be a creative and thrilling story, awe-inspiring and innovative visuals, compelling characters, or enthralling performances from the cast.

But when all these factors come together, they can make a film that resonates with countless audiences and wins even bigger at the box office. While Hollywood has released many worldwide hits over the years, a select few movies hit the exactright mark in theaters, cementing themselves as cinematic juggernauts.

Read more
7 things we wished Disney did differently with the Star Wars sequel trilogy
Fortnite Star Wars Scene

The Star Wars sequel trilogy was a divisive return to the galaxy far, far away. While it held so much promise with the success of The Force Awakens, subsequent films became the target of hate and ridicule from fans and critics to the point that everyone's hopes for the franchise seemed to have been dashed (at least until The Mandalorian came around).

The sad truth is that this trilogy was never going to live up to everyone's expectations, especially not with the astronomically high pedestal they had all placed the franchise on. Despite this, Disney could've done certain things differently that would've made it a more worthy follow-up to the original Star Wars movies.
7. Spacing out the films more

Read more
Most powerful Star Wars heroes ever, ranked
Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the 2022 Disney+ series.

Over the course of the sprawling history of Star Wars, the audience has been introduced to its fair share of heroes. Some have been tempted or even succumbed to the Dark Side, while others fought hard to stay in the light. None of the heroes are infallible, but it's undeniable that some are far more powerful than others.

The very best heroes in the history of Star Wars are great not just because of what they are capable of, but because of how they decided to use their skills. This list is, at the end of the day, all about raw power, though, even though it's based on some speculation. We see a lot of powerful heroes across the galaxy, but these ones rose to the top.
10. Ki-Adi-Mundi

Read more