Star Wars: Episode IX - 9 Reasons JJ Abrams Is The Right Choice To Direct

2. He Has A Good Relationship With Lucasfilm

Star Wars J J Abrams
Lucasfilm

Quite possibly the factor that contributed most towards Abrams' hiring, the ability to work well with Lucasfilm (and Kathleen Kennedy) is - especially considering the numerous director shake-ups plaguing the studio - an important part of directing modern Star Wars movies.

After all, Lucasfilm is the customer, and if they're not happy with the product you're delivering them, you'll be out.

The most worrying case we've seen is undoubtedly the Phil Lord/Chris Miller fiasco, with the directors being removed from the Han Solo spinoff while they were deep into filming.

This does not bode well for that movie, at all. The primary creative force behind it has been removed, even though the movie was nearly in the can? It's an absolute mess.

If Lord and Miller had a stronger relationship with Lucasfilm and Kennedy, they'd be in post-production as we speak. Instead, the Han Solo movie is being rushed to the finish line with a different director. The project is not in the best shape it could be.

So, isn't it a relief to know that J.J Abrams absolutely can work with Lucasfilm, and all of Episode IX's troubles - barring unfortunate, unforeseen circumstances - are behind it?

The relationship he built with Lucasfilm while making Episode VII is clearly a strong one given that they've asked him to come back, and that means Episode IX will not suffer any extra (potentially movie-ruining) behind-the-scenes drama.

Contributor
Contributor

Danny has been with WhatCulture for almost nine years, and is currently Doctor Who Editor and WhoCulture Channel Manager, overseeing all of WhatCulture's Whoniverse coverage. He has been writing and video editing for 10+ years, and first got a taste for content creation after making his own Doctor Who trailers and uploading them to YouTube (they're admittedly a bit rusty by today's standards). If you need someone to recite every Doctor Who episode in order or to tell you about the making of 1988's Remembrance of the Daleks, Danny is the person to ask.