Abrams on New Star Wars: 'Telling a Solid Story'

In a newly released video from Variety, featuring interviews with the cast and crew of the forthcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens, director J.J. Abrams offers insight into his creative approach. “We really focused on how do we tell a story and incorporate what people know in a way that won’t feel like we’re just doing call backs for the sake of it. It’s not about a best-of. It’s really about telling a solid story. We were really lucky to have the whole cast do such an extraordinary job.”

Actors John Boyega and Daisy Ridley, who portray two of the new central characters in the saga, speak of their characters’ unconventional relationship. From Boyega: “What we know so far is that their worlds collide in some way that is very important to the balance of the galaxy. These characters, who don’t have similar backgrounds, come together to be part of an adventure. That’s our connection.”

The first poster for the new film was unveiled at Disney’s D23 convention over the weekend, revealing that Boyega’s Finn will at some point wield a blue-bladed lightsaber. The Force Awakens lands on December 18th.