Kasdan Talks Keeping ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Tight and Interesting

Lawrence Kasdan is someone that Star Wars fans hold near and dear. After all, he cowrote Empire Strikes Back, which is seen by many as the best film from the original trilogy. He also cowrote Return of The Jedi. So when it was announced that he was going to cowrite Episode VII (which would become The Force Awakens) alongside J.J. Abrams, people got excited.

Now the writer is out and about, speaking about what we should expect when Star Wars: The Force Awakens comes out in December. Something he focuses on here is the idea of keeping the film streamlined. At a time when most “important” blockbusters arrive in theaters with very bloated running times, Kasdan says that Abrams and co. are looking at things very critically and making sure to keep things tight and interesting- even if it means cutting out sequences they’re in love with.

Here’s what he told Vanity Fair:

“This new movie, first of all, it’s turning out really great. J.J. directed it so beautifully, and it’s so exhilarating and everything. It’s a big movie. It’s full of wonderful stuff, incident and character stuff and jokes and effects. One of the things that we always refocus on from the get-go was that it not be one of these very long, bloated blockbusters. A lot of very entertaining movies lately are too long. In the last 20 minutes, you think, why isn’t this over? We didn’t want to make a movie like that. I mean, we were really aiming to have it be—when it’s over you’ll say, ‘I wish there’s more.’ Or, ‘Wait, is it over?’ Because how rarely you get that feeling nowadays, and I think we’re headed there. But it means that there will be constant critical looking at it from now to the end, saying, ‘Do we need this? Do we need that? Is it better if this comes out, even though we love it?’ Killing your darlings.”

Can’t say I disagree with that philosophy. Sometimes less really is more. Clear, concise storytelling is an art form that has been on the wane in Hollywood when it comes to blockbusters. Of course, I don’t think this means we’re going to be getting a 90 minute movie, but if it means we’re going to get 135 minutes of awesome storytelling, then I’ll takeit.

Kasdan also took a moment to address Lando Calrissian. With the return of so many stars from the original trilogy, fans have been wondering if we can expect to see Billy Dee Williams back in his iconic role. The writer makes it clear that while Lando isn’t in The Force Awakens, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plans for him:

“Right now, there’s no Lando Calrissian in this movie. But Lando I don’t think is finished in any way, shape, or form.”

So there’s the latest on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, straight from the mouth of one of the series most important voices. 

What do you think?

SOURCE: Vanity Fair

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