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Rian Johnson on the differences between Star Wars: The Last Jedi and The Empire Strikes Back

August 10, 2017 by Jordan Jones

It’s no surprise that there will be some parallels to Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and the second movie in another little-known trilogy set in the Star Wars universe. After all, the second movie in any major trilogy always seems to the one that tests the main characters; it’s usually the darkest, and often leaves things in disarray.

Judging from footage seen of The Last Jedi so far (not to mention the red color scheme of the logo!), it certainly seems that things are going to take a turn for the dark. Not only that, but one important The Last Jedi story-beat obviously calls back to The Empire Strikes Back. Speaking to EW, director Rian Johnson addresses these comparisons, and also makes clear that this is a different film:

“I just tried to kind of ignore that aspect of it and have the story take the shape that it needed to. 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.”

A major criticism of The Force Awakens was how closely it followed the story outline of A New Hope. Now, whether or not you agree with that, it’s safe to say that Lucasfilm is well aware of the criticisms, and will not be looking to repeat that with The Last Jedi.

SEE ALSO: Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley and Rian Johnson discuss Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Last Jedi

SEE ALSO: Star Wars: The Last Jedi director talks Supreme Leader Snoke and his Praetorian Guard

SEE ALSO: Star Wars: The Last Jedi images featuring Porgs, Caretakers, Praetorian Guards and more

In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is set for release on December 14th in the UK and December 15th in the States and sees returning cast members Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma), Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix), Andy Serkis (Supreme Leader Snoke), Peter Mayhew and Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Tim Rose (Admiral Ackbar), Mike Quinn (Nien Nunb), Simon Pegg (Unkar Plutt), and Warwick Davis joined by new additions Jimmy Vee (Pan) as R2-D2, Kelly Marie Tran (Ladies Like Us) as Rose, and Benicio Del Toro (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Laura Dern (Jurassic Park).

Filed Under: Jordan Jones, Movies, News Tagged With: Rian Johnson, Star Wars, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: The Last Jedi

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