Production on STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII is well underway and although the cast and crew obviously can't say much about the next installment of the STAR WARS sequel trilogy, we've heard nothing but good things so far. Rian Johnson (LOOPER) will be taking over directing duties from J.J. Abrams for the sequel as well as penning the script, and Adam Driver recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly during a special screening of MIDNIGHT SPECIAL and was asked to compare Abrams and Johnson.
Their temperaments are different, I feel like there was so many moving pieces in the first one – just trying to solve it and set the vocabulary for what it was. There’s a lot of that anxiety is gone, because people have developed a language. I think it’s more of a testament to Rian coming into something very established and making it [his own]. I can’t wait to get on set, just because he’s so unassuming and intelligent and approachable. The script they’ve come up with is really great.
Now that STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS has been met with a fairly positive reaction (and a $2 billion box-office doesn't hurt either) it must be nice for the cast and crew to settle in to their roles knowing that they're on the right track. While Adam Driver claims that the films success hasn't changed him, he admits that his Christmases are a lot easier now given the amount of STAR WARS merchandise he's sent. Driver also said that his appeal among children has gone up, saying "I feel like before parents kept me away from their kids; now it’s like, go get a picture.” When it comes to the plot of the upcoming film, Adam Driver couldn't give away much other than joking that "they're still at war. It's still Star Wars, they're not as peace."
STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII is set for a December 15, 2017 release, but Adam Driver's most recent film is Jeff Nichols' MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, which is now playing in limited release. You can read a review of MIDNIGHT SPECIAL by our own JimmyO right here.