Star Wars 9: JJ Abrams reveals big way The Rise of Skywalker will differ from The Force Awakens

Fans have Rian Johnson to thank for it

JJ Abrams has revealed one big way in which his new Star Wars film differs from The Force Awakens.

The filmmaker, who oversaw the franchise’s cinematic return in 2015, signed up to direct The Rise of Skywalker after Jurassic World’s Colin Trevorrow stepped down.

Abrams says he took more risks on the new film, which will be released in December, and attributes The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson with “reminding” him he was able to do so.

“On this one, I let myself be, at least in the way I was approaching the thing, freer,” he told Total Film.

“In Episode VII, I was adhering to a kind of approach that felt right for Star Wars in my head. It was about finding a visual language, like shooting on locations and doing practical things as much as possible. And we continue that in Episode IX, but I also found myself doing things that I’m not sure I would have been as daring to do on [The Force Awakens].”

Abrams continued: “Rian helped remind me that that’s why we’re on these movies – not to just do something that you’ve seen before.”

While acknowledging he wasn’t “constrained” while filming The Force Awakens, Abrams says he “...found [himself] wanting to do something that felt more consistent with the original trilogy than not.”

With The Rise of Skywalker, Abrams admits he “[went] for it a bit more”.

Star Wars 9 will undoubtedly feature plenty of surprises for fans that have been waiting years for the final chapter in the new trilogy, but one twist may have been revealed courtesy of a deleted tweet.

The post in question came from the official Disneyland account. Fortunately, a keen-eyed fan was on hand to screenshot the message, which seems to be even more evidence that a former character will return in the new film.

Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker is released 16 December.