Return of Hope

JJ Abrams was 10 years old when Star Wars premiered. Agreeing to film a continuation of the franchise, he was afraid to forever destroy the charm of the universe for himself. Afisha asked the director about his other fears and how the spirit of the original trilogy helped him overcome them.

Everyone prays for one thing: that your Star Wars will retain the spirit of the original trilogy. But it's easier said than explained. What kind of spirit is this? I’ll try to describe: We should have a group of characters, each of whom is in a hopeless situation, but at the same time maintains an inexplicable romantic optimism and faith in the best. The previously defeated outsiders suddenly realize that they are stronger than they thought, and that they are still in their power. For example, to understand that the world is wider and more diverse than it seemed before. Getting involved in every fight, taking on every mission, they realize: victory is impossible! And they still take risks. They don't even have time to think. Let's get into a fight and see! Star Wars is a world of generous hearts. This is a world not only of vast epic, but also of intimate experiences... and not least of all amazing comedy. I know this may sound strange, but for me, Star Wars literally has everything you could ever want. It's incredible how brilliantly George Lucas solved each of the problems he set for himself - he didn't make a single mistake.

There is definitely something personal in your words. Are you talking about yourself when you describe these impossible tasks that heroes undertake without hope of victory? This is how I believe any director who decides to continue Star Wars after Lucas, but without Lucas, should feel.

Are you asking if I was afraid? Of course! I believed that I could do it. But I didn’t understand how. There was only one consolation: I am not alone, there are wonderful people around me, professionals of the highest class, and together we will somehow cope. In essence, the heroes of the film feel the same way: they are powerless alone, but they have no choice - to grab a comrade and defeat the enemy together... or die, exploding beautifully, disappearing in a blinding flash. I have yet to win or explode... I never felt like my cause was the right one.

My biggest fear is that my family will fall apart. Honestly. I couldn’t be with my wife and daughter, my son was moving from one school to another, and I was tied to filming, shackled hand and foot by Star Wars. Physically this task was extremely difficult. But I understood: for better or for worse, there would be no more such opportunities in my life. A knock on the door came at a crucial moment. I felt it. It was impossible to refuse. And I told my wife, “Katie, if we can make it through this year, we can make it through anything.” We survived! And I had few professional fears. Actually, the main one is getting too close to the universe in which I grew up. Lose this saving distance.

Maybe it’s for the best that George Lucas didn’t take part in the filming of the film?

With such trepidation as yours, it would not be easy to cooperate with him.

We had actually known each other for some time when he called and asked, “Will you take on this? Just keep in mind that you will be filming the new Star Wars yourself, I won’t help.” It didn't scare me. After all, I knew that I would work with Kathleen Kennedy, and for me she is the greatest producer of all time. And Lawrence Kasdan is the best screenwriter in the history of cinema (Kasdan, in particular, wrote the scripts for the fifth and sixth episodes of the original trilogy - “The Empire Strikes Back” and “Return of the Jedi,” respectively. - Ed.). It was calming. In short, the company was excellent. I said to myself: “I am a soldier, going to war. I could never defeat the enemy in battle alone, but my brothers and sisters in arms will not allow me to falter and surrender.” I still feel that way about my crew. All of them - make-up artists, costume designers, assistants - are my associates. And without them I would not have been able to win the main victory: over myself.

Uncertainty and a tendency to question literally everything. This is how I am by nature. Those who are close to me give me confidence.

I take responsibility. One hundred percent. If you don't like the movie,

hit and scold me, only me. If you like it, say thank you to the group and the actors: they did an amazing job.

What inspired you most about the Star Wars universe? Not necessarily a movie, but at least a comic book, cartoon, toy...

I don't like these "expanded universes". I haven’t read books or comics and don’t plan to yet. I'm interested in films. And you know, everyone usually calls the best picture in the series "Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back", and I, of course, understand why. However, I never forget that it stands on the shoulders of the very first episode Lucas directed, A New Hope. It all started with him. For me, A New Hope is the main film of the franchise. The power of the possible, albeit unclear, is what the entire dramaturgy of Star Wars is built on: not knowing who Luke’s father and sister are, other mysteries... Take, for example, Boba Fett. He barely appeared in the first trilogy, but still became a cult figure! I'm not interested in him as a character, but I find his effect on people intriguing and fascinating.

In Star Wars, we always feel like we're at the tip of the iceberg. That's exactly how A New Hope works for me. And I don't care that Lucas changed the plot along the way, fitting lines into each other, tying up loose ends. The evolution of intrigue is something magical that fascinates me. If the beginning of the saga had not been so powerful, the Star Wars phenomenon would not have happened! There would be no humor, romanticism, optimism - there would be no darkness, destruction, war, there would be no adrenaline of the chase... Or my favorite: the feeling that you have infiltrated the enemy’s base unrecognized, made your way into his fortified castle undetected and are about to meet your most important enemy!

Is there a classic Star Wars character that you would love to bring back into your movie, but couldn't because he was either dropped out of the game or died for one reason or another?

From the very beginning we knew that we would not be omnipotent. I was just dying to do some things, but I beat myself up, realizing that these moves and turns would not suit my film. Most of all I would like to return, for example, to Tatooine, I even came up with a scene for this, but it was not included in the film.

Do you have a Star Wars character that you saw yourself playing?

Luke Skywalker. I didn't even think about other options. Never felt so cool that

pretend to be Han Solo... or fat enough to pretend to be Jabba the Hutt.

You will have to repeat and hear the words “May the Force be with you” more than once. Do you believe in the Force? Only honestly.

What I love about the Force is the idea of ​​the unity of all living things - an energy that mysteriously connects us all and controls our destinies. The idea itself is amazing, it is broader than nations or religions. That's why the Force is so powerful.

Just as a metaphor, Do I believe in the Force as such? I'm not sure I can say that. I'm not Obi-Wan or Yuda, after all. But I remember a childhood feeling - a shiver down my spine when they talked about the Force on the screen. “So there is something greater than us, and it is possible to bring it to life,

if you really believe it,” I told myself.

“Chewy, we're home”: the film hasn't come out yet, but this phrase has already become a cult phrase. Did you write it?

I! Although we approved every line with Lawrence Kasdan, and we were both the authors of the script. This line is really important. This is the first thing Han Solo says when he appears on screen. I know there will be a lot of people in the audience who have never seen Star Wars, but I wanted both them and the fans to be asking one question at that moment: Where did these two come from? Where have they been for so long?

Well, while you wait for your answer, may the Force be with you.

And with you, my friend!