JJ Abrams Reveals He Almost Turned Down Directing 'Star Wars: Episode IX'

Since 2015, JJ Abrams has been synonymous with the new trilogy of Star Wars films, as he kicked off the continuation of the Skywalker Saga with The Force Awakens. The new set of films has been a success, and has attracted both new and old fans. But with how dedicated Abrams is to the Star Wars franchise, can you imagine if he turned down directing Episode IX? Apparently, it almost happened.

Abrams was originally only supposed to direct TFA, as that was all he was signed on to do, but when director Colin Trevorrow backed down from Episode IX, he eventually signed on. But it took some convincing for Abrams to helm TFA, and when Lucasfilm asked him to return for the final installment, Abrams nearly said no again.

Abrams' wife ended up having to convince him after he told himself he would sit out and enjoy the final movie just as a fan. In an interview with Fast Company, the fan-favorite director explained what went down.

"I wasn’t supposed to be there," Abrams recalled. "I wasn’t the guy, ya’ know? I was working on some other things, and I had something else that I was assuming would be the next project, if we’d be so lucky. And then Kathy Kennedy called and said, 'Would you really, seriously, consider coming aboard?' And once that started, it all happened pretty quickly. The whole thing was a crazy leap of faith. And there was an actual moment when I nearly said, 'No, I’m not going to do this.'"

There is an enormous amount of pressure when it comes to directing a Star Wars movie--let alone one that will close out the Skywalker saga--but Abrams took on the challenge and saw to concluding what he started with TFA. And fans were happy to have him return. We'll get to see Episode IX when it hits theaters on Dec. 20, 2019.

[h/t: ScreenRant]