Star Wars: The Last Jedi Director Made Major Change To End Of The Force Awakens

05/04/2017 02:57 pm EDT

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens reinvigorated the franchise, though R2-D2 didn't play a major part until later in the film. He also happened to be a big part of the film's changed ending.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson revealed to EW that he asked J.J. Abrams and screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan to change the ending of the anticipated film. Johnson said "Yes … The big [favor] was, I asked if R2 could come with Rey, and if BB-8 could stay behind with the Resistance," Johnson says. "Originally it was BB-8 who went with Rey, which makes sense for the story in a way. But I asked, 'Can you do me this solid and switch the droids?'"

The reason being that R2-D2 had been relegated to the sidelines for much of the film, and Johnson wanted to use him more in The Last Jedi. Don't fret though BB-8 fans, as the adorable new droid will still play a big part in the new film, just as Poe Dameron's sidekick as opposed to Rey's. The advantage of being involved so early in the process shows here, as Johnson's request was addressed without a hitch in the production.

R2-D2's increased will be another way the new films intersect with the classic trilogy, but Last Jedi will differ from them in other ways, including how it begins. Johnson revealed at Star Wars Celebration Europe that "For the first time, we're breaking Star Wars tradition and starting our movie right where the last one left off. Skellig Michael is an incredibly mystical place. To be there and have that be the first thing we were shooting was an appropriately surreal way to start everything off."

Star Wars: The Last Jedi, from writer/director Rian Johnson, is in post-production now for a December 15, 2017, release. The film follows-up and continues the story of the next generation of the saga as Rey, Poe, Finn, and Kylo Ren find their place in the galaxy and follow the legacy of Luke Skywalker, Leia, and Han Solo. Daisy Ridley returns to star as Rey, with other returning stars John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Gwendoline Christie, Peter Mayhew, Andy Serkis, Anthony Daniels, Lupita Nyong'o Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa. Benicio Del Toro and Laura Dern join the cast in as-yet-unrevealed roles.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is slated for release on December 15, 2017. Han Solo: A Star Wars Story hits on May 25, 2018, while Star Wars: Episode IX has a release date of May 24, 2019.

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