• Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

Flickering Myth

Geek Culture | Movies, TV, Comic Books & Video Games

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket

J.J. Abrams on not directing Star Wars: Episode VIII

December 10, 2015 by Gary Collinson

Despite relaunching the Star Wars saga with next week’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, director J.J. Abrams will be handing over the reins for the rest of the Sequel Trilogy, with Rian Johnson (Looper) helming Star Wars: Episode VIII and Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World) rounding things out with Star Wars: Episode IX.

Chatting with the Associated Press, Abrams was asked if he has any regrets about not continuing the story, responding that: “It’s a bittersweet choice. On one hand, I felt like if this movie works for people, then that’s the way you want to go out. You don’t want to necessarily have to top something that worked. And if it’s a disaster, no one would want me to direct the next one anyway. It was only a win.”

SEE ALSO: Follow all of our Star Wars coverage here

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set for release on December 17th in the UK and December 18th in the States and sees J.J. Abrams directing returning stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Kenny Baker (R2-D2), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar), in addition to Adam Driver (Girls), Oscar Isaac (A Most Violent Year), Andy Serkis (Avengers: Age of Ultron), Domhnall Gleeson (Ex Machina), John Boyega (Attack the Block), Daisy Ridley (Silent Witness), Gwendoline Christie (Game of Thrones), Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), Ken Leung (Lost), Miltos Yerolemou (Game of Thrones), Max von Sydow (The Exorcist), Jessica Henwick (Spirit Warriors), Christina Chong (24: Live Another Day), Simon Pegg (Star Trek) and newcomers Crystal Clarke and Pip Andersen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL18yMRIfoszEaHYNDTy5C-cH9Oa2gN5ng&v=CZqbaYLPf4A

Filed Under: Gary Collinson, Movies, News Tagged With: J.J. Abrams, Star Wars, Star Wars: Episode VIII, Star Wars: The Force Awakens

About Gary Collinson

Gary Collinson is a film, TV and digital content producer and writer, who is the founder of the pop culture website Flickering Myth and producer of the gothic horror feature film 'The Baby in the Basket' and the upcoming suspense thriller 'Death Among the Pines'.

FMTV – Watch Our Latest Video Here

WATCH OUR MOVIE NOW FOR FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

The 10 Best Villains in Arnold Schwarzenegger Movies

Cannon Films and the Search for Critical Acclaim

7 Forgotten 2000s Comedy Movies That Are Worth Revisiting

Speed: The Story Behind the Pulse-Pounding Action-Thriller

Brilliantly Simple But Insanely Thrilling Movies

Coming of Rage: Eight Great Horror Movies About Adolescence

Ten Underrated Action Movies That Deserve More Love

Rooting For The Villain

The Most Iconic Cult Classics of All Time

Maximum Van Dammage: The Definitive Top 10 Jean-Claude Van Damme Movies!

Top Stories:

Movie Review – Hot Milk (2025)

Movie Review – Heads of State (2025)

Movie Review – The Old Guard 2 (2025)

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey gets a first teaser poster

10 Great 1980s Sci-Fi Adventure Movies

Movie Review – Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)

Movie Review – 40 Acres (2025)

4K Ultra HD Review – James Bond: The Sean Connery Collection

STREAM FREE ON PRIME VIDEO!

FEATURED POSTS:

Ten Unmade Film Masterpieces

Great Vampire Movies You May Have Missed

Not for the Faint of Heart: The Most Shocking Movies of All Time

10 Creepy Horror Movies Jump Scares

Our Partners

  • Pop Culture
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Comic Books
    • Video Games
    • Toys & Collectibles
  • Features
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Articles and Opinions
    • Interviews
    • Exclusives
    • Flickering Myth Films
    • FMTV
  • About
    • About Flickering Myth
    • Write for Flickering Myth
    • Advertise on Flickering Myth
  • Socials
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • Bluesky
    • Instagram
    • Flipboard
    • Linktree
    • X
  • Terms
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© Flickering Myth Limited. All rights reserved. The reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of the content without permission is strictly prohibited. Movie titles, images, etc. are registered trademarks / copyright their respective rights holders. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you can read this, you don't need glasses.


 

Flickering MythLogo Header Menu
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Articles & Opinions
  • Write for Us
  • The Baby in the Basket