We live in a divisive time. Star Wars: The Last Jedi is pretty darn divisive among fans, and has resulted in said fandom seemingly being split in half, with one faction claiming the film is the biggest stain on the franchise one could possibly imagine, and the other pretty much claiming the opposite. If you’ve been reading this site long enough, you know which camp I fall into.

But what does J.J. Abrams think about all this? As the director of now two Star Wars movies, he’s sure to have opinions about the seemingly toxic fandom and how it compares to fandom during the prequel era.

“I think that the bigger question is: How has everything changed?” Abrams asked Esquire. “The reaction to Star Wars, the increased attacks, the increased negativity, the Fandom Menace as they call it, you know, that is not unique to Star Wars, obviously. And I think we live in a time where if you’re not being divisive, if you’re not creating something that’s aversive quick-bait, sometimes you don’t quite feel like you’re playing the game. I always loved Star Wars because it’s got a huge heart. Did I always believe in and agree with every single thing that happened in every movie, whether it was the prequels or the original trilogy? No. But do I love Star Wars? Yes. So, for me, I hope — and I’m sure naively — we can return to a time where we give things a bit more latitude. We don’t have to agree with every single thing to love something. I don’t know anyone who has a spouse or a partner or any family member or any friend, who loves and agrees with every single thing that that person is and does. We have to return, I think, to nuance and acceptance. And so I feel like, as a Star Wars fan, do I love every single thing about each of the movies? No. But do I love Star Wars? Hell yes, I do.”

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I think Abrams raises some pretty good points. First off is the age we live in. Oftentimes, if we aren’t playing one side or another, you’re not really listened to as much, and as the gap widens between the sides, you have fans who are equally unwilling to listen to what the other has to say.

Another important point he makes here is that it’s okay to not like certain things and still love something. Each movie doesn’t have to be the best thing in the world in order to be loved, and on a personal note, I think we need to get past that point where things are either the best thing in the world or the worst-ever thing of all-time. 

What do you think of Abrams’ comments? Do you get the same thing from him as I do? Let us know your thoughts down below!

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SOURCE: Esquire