Did The Last Jedi backlash affect how J.J. Abrams directed Star Wars: Episode IX?

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the most divisive film in the Star Wars franchise. The movie was well received by critics, but the fandom was split down the middle. Some loved it, others loathed it. Fans in the latter camp are still mad at director Rian Johnson and rarely miss an opportunity to let it be known on his Twitter feed.

So, did the fan backlash over The Last Jedi effect how J.J. Abrams directed Star Wars: Episode IX? “No,” Abrams told ET Online. “I think that every movie is its own movie, and obviously this is a trilogy.”

"We brought to that movie [Episode IX] all the passion and hard work that we would have no matter what. So I think the story speaks for itself. I really, truly can’t wait for you to see it."

So “every movie is its own movie” but “obviously this is a trilogy.” So will Episode IX stand on its own or won’t it? Way to dance around the question, Abrams.

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In any case, if Disney plans on changing everything some fans hated about The Last Jedi, it runs the risk of making Episode IX a messy fan service retcon. What, is Abrams going to resurrect Luke, not mention Rose Tico, make Rey the secret love child of Obi-Wan Kenobi, and have Supreme Leader Snoke actually turn out to be Darth Plagueis?

I don’t see any of that happening. Still, Abrams does want fans to love Episode IX. “There are a lot of words that we all hope that you feel,” he said, “and obviously the biggest, most important one I think is ‘satisfied.'”

Star Wars: Episode IX hits theaters on December 20.

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