The Last Jedi Director Addresses Empire Strikes Back Comparison
09/19/2017 09:57 pm EDT
Despite setting records at the box office and receiving tons of acclaim from fans and critics, some people were a bit disappointed with Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Though the movie introduced a new generation of characters in the war between the Light and Dark forces of the galaxy, some complained that the film's plot mirrored that of the original Star Wars movie a little too much. As we approach the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, some fans are wondering if the new movie will be similar to the Empire Strikes Back.
Director Rian Johnson addressed those concerns directly in a conversation with Entertainment Weekly, saying the similarities were unintentional.
"I just tried to kind of ignore that aspect of it and have the story take the shape that it needed to," Johnson said. "But look, Rey is off in a remote location with a Jedi master, and the Resistance is in a tough spot, and we're intercutting those stories. By its very nature, there are some structural parallels. But these are new characters, they're dealing with new things, and that ultimately is what defines the movie. So I think that's going to be unique."
Johnson won't give any plot details away that would spoil the surprises in store, but he has stressed that the movie will be different from the Empire Strikes Back. But his comments aren't likely to assuage anyone's fears.
We'll just have to take his word for it until we see Star Wars: The Last Jedi for ourselves when the movie hits theaters December 15th.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the second film in the new Star Wars sequel trilogy that began with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015. The film will deal with Luke training Rey to become a, and possibly the last, Jedi. Meanwhile, the Resistance, including Poe Dameron and First Order defector Finn, continues to fight against the First Order, led by General Hux, while Supreme Leader Snoke and his Dark Side follower Kylo Ren continue their mysterious plot.
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