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J.J. Abrams is a filmmaker known for leading projects in two of the biggest sci-fi franchises: ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Star Wars.’ However, he was close to turning down the opportunity to direct ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens.’
When Kathleen Kennedy, the president of Lucasfilm, reached out to Abrams about directing the film, his first instinct was to reject the offer. In the documentary ‘The Secrets of The Force Awakens,’ Abrams shared his thoughts, reported by SlashFilm. He initially planned to say ‘no’ when Kennedy called. This hesitation stemmed from his past experiences with directing sequels and big franchise movies, which he found overwhelming.
Despite his reluctance, Abrams’ previous connection with Kennedy and the allure of joining such a monumental franchise eventually swayed him. He went on to direct ‘The Force Awakens’ and later returned to helm ‘The Rise of Skywalker,’ the final installment in the sequel trilogy.
Before stepping into the Star Wars universe, Abrams made his mark with the ‘Star Trek’ films. His work began with the 2009 reboot of the original TV series and continued with the 2013 sequel ‘Star Trek Into Darkness.’ Both films were well-received, setting a high standard in the sci-fi genre.
This background in ‘Star Trek,’ a series often seen as a rival to ‘Star Wars,’ played a significant role in his initial hesitation. Managing two major franchises was a daunting prospect, and Abrams felt the weight of expectation from both fanbases.
In addition to his notable film work, Abrams’ career includes a successful stint in television and his directorial debut in the 2006 ‘Mission: Impossible III,’ which was both a critical and commercial success.
Ultimately, Abrams’ decision to embrace the challenge of ‘Star Wars’ paid off. ‘The Force Awakens’ became the highest-grossing film in the series, celebrated by fans and critics alike. For those interested in watching, ‘Star Wars’ movies are available on Disney+, and ‘Star Trek’ films are on Paramount+.
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