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JJ Abrams Says the Fan Response to Star Wars: Episode VIII Is Not Changing His Approach to Episode IX, Wants Fans to Feel ‘Satisfied’ With the Conclusion

February 22, 2019 | Posted by Jeffrey Harris
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Rey - Daisy Ridley Image Credit: Lucasfilm

ET Online recently spoke to Star Wars filmmaker JJ Abrams at the 14th Annual Oscar Wilde Awards at Bad Robot this week (Feb. 21). Abrams discussed directing Episode IX. During the chat, he was asked if the fan response on The Last Jedi will have an affect on his conclusion to the trilogy for the upcoming sequel. Below are some highlights (via Collider). The upcoming sequel arrives on December 20, 2019.

JJ Abrams on the subject of the fan response changing his approach: “No, I think that every movie is its own movie, and obviously this is a trilogy. We brought to that movie [Episode IX] all the passion and hard work that we would have no matter what. So I think the story speaks for itself. I really, truly can’t wait for you to see it.”

JJ Abrams on working with Billy Dee Williams, who returns as Lando: “I’d met him once before and he was such a sweet guy. But I’ve got to tell you, I have such unbelievable respect for him. We had a great time and he was wonderful. Everyone on set — he just had this aura around him, he’s really an incredible man and an incredible actor.”

Abrams on how he wants fans to feel after Episode IX: “There are a lot of words that we all hope that you feel, and obviously the biggest, most important one I think is ‘satisfied.'”