The Last Jedi is in Rian Johnson’s Hands

NYT’s Dave Itzkoff spoke to Episode VIII Director Rian Johnson:

I spoke with @rianjohnson about the making of his film Star Wars: The Last Jedi. https://t.co/ivMmbxWQPf

— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) September 6, 2017

This is an interesting read. Below are some highlights from the New York Times Q & A…

Early on, Itzkoff asks, “How much of the story of The Last Jedi was dictated to you, either by events in “The Force Awakens” or by Lucasfilm?”

I had figured there would be a big map on the wall with the whole story laid out, and it was not that at all. I was basically given the script for “Episode VII;” I got to watch dailies of what J. J. was doing. And it was like, where do we go from here? That was awesome.

Itzkoff follows up, asking: “So there’s no one telling you that your film has to contain certain plot points, or that certain things have to be achieved by its end?”

Nothing like that. But it’s the second film in a trilogy. The first film got these characters here. This second movie has to dig into and challenge these characters. I wanted this to be a satisfying experience unto itself. I didn’t want it to end with a dot, dot, dot, question mark.

Unfortunately, this interview took place prior to Colin Trevorrow leaving Episode IX. However, Itzkoff did ask, “What is your working relationship with Colin Trevorrow?” The piece is an admittedly edited Q & A, but the answer is somewhat short.

It’s been very similar to J. J. and I. I’ve given it some trajectory forward, and now I get to see where another storyteller is going to take it. I’ve been available, and he’s shot me questions. But I’m pretty much sitting back and seeing how it’s all going to come together for him.

Hmmm. The full article may be found here.