Star Wars director hopes fans 'open-minded' about new film

Star Wars director JJ Abrams says he hopes fans will be “open-minded” about the ninth and final instalment of the Skywalker saga.

Speaking at the film’s European premiere in London’s Leicester Square, he said: “Obviously some people will love it and some will hate it and that’s the nature of these movies, but I hope that, even those who are pre-determined to hate the movie, going-in will be open-minded enough to discover something they might like.”

He added: “I’m really happy with the job that everyone did, it really blows my mind.”

After more than 40 years, the franchise draws to a close with Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker.

Among the loose ends that should be wrapped up, fans will finally get to find out who Daisy Ridley’s character Rey really is and whether or not she is persuaded to turn to the dark side.

Speaking on the blue carpet, the actress said: “Basically the loose ends are somehow magically tied up!”

“I don’t know how they’ve done it, wrapping up nine films, I can’t imagine how they even began but they have done it! It’s a lot of fun.”

But she admits it’s “weird” to be saying a final goodbye to a character she’s played now in three films.

“It’s been 6 or 7 years of my life and I think, obviously when some of the craziness is over, come January it’ll be very strange.”

Anthony Daniels, who has played C3PO in every single film since 1977, said of the film: “I think you can tell C3PO is enjoying himself and I was inside.”

The Star Wars legend says fans will soon see how the franchise really goes out with a bang.

“If it had dribbled away that would have been really sad, if it had ended with a whimper, but boy does it not end with a whimper. It’s exhausting!”

Richard E. Grant who joins the cast as the ruthless Allegiant General Pryde, a high-ranking member of the First Order, says joining Star Wars fulfilled a lifelong dream.

“I was a drama student in 1977 when it first came out, so three quarters of my life a fan, I’m now 62 and I’m in the movie – its everything I hoped it would be and so much more.”

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker is released in UK cinemas on Thursday