Key takeaways:
– J.J. Abrams considered rejecting the offer to direct Star Wars due to his past experiences with franchise films.
– The filmmaker’s previous collaboration with Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy played a part in his final decision.
– Abrams’ work with the Star Trek franchise may have influenced his hesitation to join Star Wars.
Did you know that J.J. Abrams, the director renowned for rebooting the Star Trek movies and driving the sequel trilogy of Star Wars, nearly rejected the opportunity to direct a Star Wars film? In an interview, Abrams revealed that he initially contemplated turning down the offer to be a part of the legendary space opera series.
J.J. Abrams’ Doubts About Directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Abrams directed Star Wars: The Force Awakens, kicking off the sequel era for the beloved franchise. He later returned to helm the final chapter of the trilogy, The Rise of Skywalker. Despite these successful gigs, Abrams admitted in an interview that he initially had doubts.
In the documentary, The Secrets of The Force Awakens, Abrams discussed his initial hesitation about directing a Star Wars film. Abrams remembers intending to decline when Lucasfilm’s President Kathleen Kennedy first approached him about directing.
Much of Abrams’ hesitation stemmed from his previous involvement with franchise filmmaking, particularly with directing sequels.
The Influence of Abrams’ Star Trek Experience
Before joining the Star Wars universe, J.J. Abrams was a celebrated writer and director, primarily known for his work in television. He eventually made his big-screen directorial debut in 2006 with the third film in Tom Cruise’s successful Mission: Impossible series.
Three years later, Abrams directed the reboot of the Star Trek franchise, starting with 2009’s Star Trek and the sequel, 2013’s Star Trek Into Darkness. Both films gained generally positive reviews.
Apart from the 2008 sci-fi thriller Super 8, Abrams has mainly directed franchise-based sequels throughout his feature film career. Given the considerable similarities between Star Wars and Star Trek, it’s not surprising that directing another high-profile franchise might have given Abrams pause.
Why J.J. Abrams Decided to Helm Star Wars
Despite his fears, Abrams ultimately couldn’t resist the lure of Star Wars. His existing relationship with Lucasfilm’s President Kathleen Kennedy played a vital role in his final decision.
Suffice it to say, Abrams’ apprehension about joining another massive franchise due to his experience with Star Trek was not enough to keep him from directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This film ended up becoming the highest-grossing entry in the franchise.
In conclusion, although J.J. Abrams considered turning down the opportunity to direct a Star Wars film, he eventually took the plunge, leading to truly memorable additions to the Star Wars saga. His experiences serve as a testament to tackling new challenges, even when they seem daunting at first glance.
To relive Abrams’ magical work, head over to Disney+ for the Star Wars series and Paramount+ for the Star Trek films. Enjoy these phenomenal feat of filmmaking and get lost in the galaxies far, far away!meta description:Discover how J.J. Abrams nearly turned down the chance to direct Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Learn how his past in franchise films played a role, and see why he finally said ‘yes’. Dive into the Star Trek and Star Wars sagas today!
