Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, actor Adam Driver recently got to give a short update on the development of "Star Wars: Episode VIII" and what kind of differences fans can expect between this film and "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."
According to Driver, the first had to first establish itself with its audience and that there were a lot of moving pieces that had to first get into place. This can be seen mostly with the numerous new characters that had to be introduced and then having the film explore a little bit of their individual backstories. In "Episode VIII" the story can now move forward.
Driver then discussed working with director Rian Johnson, who took over the helming duties from "The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams, who is still serving as an executive producer.
"I think it's more of a testament to Rian coming into something very established and making it his own," Driver explained. "I can't wait to get on set, just because he's so unassuming and intelligent and approachable. The script they've come up with is really great."
Johnson is popular for directing the sleeper hit sci-fi film "Looper," starring Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon Levitt.
The actor did not divulge any plot points for the new film, although he did confirm that the First Order and the Resistance are still at a war, which is taken as a given fact at this point.
Driver's character, the villainous Kylo Ren, is known for starting off as Ben Solo, son of Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Han Solo (Harrison Ford). Carrying the Skywalker bloodline, he was sensitive to the Force but when being trained by Luke (Mark Hamill), he was seduced to the Dark Side and eventually became a villain serving under the First Order.
"Star Wars: Episode VIII" is scheduled to be released on Dec. 15, 2017.
