J.J. Abrams On The New ‘Star Wars 7’ Light Saber: Producer Talks On The Design Short Of Its Origins, Takes The Backlash In Stride; Will The Upgrade Justify When ‘The Force Awakens’ December 18?
J.J. Abrams finally speaks his mind on the "Star Wars 7" light saber, and the "Lost" creator took all the jokes and criticisms in stride.
The new "Star Wars 7" light saber has seen the butt-end of recent jokes and memes; veteran fans of the series aren't too keen with the cross-guard upgrade featured in the trailer released for the movie.
In an interview with Collider, Abrams confessed the backlash of fans concerning the new light saber's cross-guard was quite overwhelming, with some even offering detailed explanation on how the new mod can actually hurt the wielder, instead of enhance fighting abilities.
"I will say that what's been funny is, since the lightsaber's come out, I cannot tell you how many contradictory emails I have received from people who have both defended it with unbelievably detailed graphics," Abrams mused.
"I've gotten things that are nuts, and I've gotten people who've shown how it'll kill you and how it doesn't make any sense. It's been the funniest thing to see the arguments that have developed over this thing."
Abrams did keep the origins of the "Star Wars 7" light saber design under wraps, though, insisting that it's going to be a long story and something he's willing to confide another time.
He did ease fan worries by saying the team grappled with the same dilemma while designing the weapon.
"It was a number of conversations [that led to the design]," he confessed. "It was a sketch that became a whole thing and, you know, this was not done without a lot of conversation and it's fun to see people have the conversation that we had, but in reverse."
Abrams will remain the executive producer for episodes 8 and 9 of the new Star Wars trilogy, lending much of the credit for "Star Wars" Episode VIII to writer director Rian Johnson.
The "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" release date holds on Dec. 18.
