Lawrence Kasdan Talks THE FORCE AWAKENS, Han Solo Spinoff, and More
The Star Wars screenwriter behind The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, The Force Awakens, and the upcoming Han Solo film, Lawrence Kasdan, recently did an interview with the Los Angeles Times. During that interview he spoke about some of his latest projects in the franchise, which he is completely confident in. He know that people are going to flock to the theaters to see The Force Awakens when it opens, and it's expected to end up being one of the all-time highest grossing films. He's not concerned about the money, he explained:
"What does matter is, do we feel good about it and do we think we fulfilled those things we set out to do? I've seen it six or seven times, and I feel very good about that. When this movie starts, you just can't believe how dynamic and fun it is. I don't know anybody who can resist who's slightly open to it. [Director] J.J. [Abrams] just knocked it out of the park."
He's seen The Force Awakens six or seven times already?! Holy crap! If it's as good as he says it is, that's probably how many time I'll see it in the theaters while it's out. Kasdan went on to praise Abrams, saying that they were able to knock out a first draft of The Force Awakens in six weeks. He then added:
"He's a really decent guy, and he makes movies the way I try to make movies. Which is that it's a privilege to make a movie and no one should be miserable."
He goes on to talk about the two other directors that were hired to take on Episode VIII and Episode IX saying that the films will vary from each other in terms of style. He also talks about the directing duo who are taking on his Han Solo spinoff.
"These movies will all be so different. [Episode VIII director] Rian Johnson is a friend of mine — he's going to make some weird thing. If you've seen Rian's work, you know it's not going be like anything that's ever been in Star Wars. You couldn't have three more different people than J.J., Rian and [Episode IX director] Colin [Trevorrow]. Those movies will have the Star Wars saga as their basis, but everything else will be different. Then Phil Lord and Chris Miller are going to make the Han Solo film and I can't guess what that will be like — and I'm writing it!"
I'm really happy to hear that Johnson will be bringing his unique qualities to Episode VIII. That was one thing that I was really hoping to see, so it's great to hear we'll really be getting a Rian Johnson style Star Wars movie. Kasdan talks a little more about the Han Solo film he's woriking on with his son Jon, and reveals that Solo is his favorite Star Wars character. He enjoys writing dialogue for him, and asked if it's easy to write for a younger version of Han, he said:
"I think so. You know, he's younger in this [spinoff] movie and that's fun because you have to imagine him 10 years earlier in his early 20s. What was he like before he hardened up? Before he had some setbacks? Before he put on this cynical coat? What got him there?"
I guess all of those question will be answered in this A Star Wars Story movie, and I'm sure it will end up being a thrilling adventure!