The Rian Johnson-directed movie was a huge hit with critics and with many franchise fans, but some bemoaned its tone and surprising plot direction.
So will that backlash affect the route Abrams takes in Episode 9?
“Not in the least,” he told IndieWire in a new interview, whilst discussing the problem some of the more sexist detractors had with the number of female characters in the franchise right now.
“There’s a lot that I would like to say about it, but I feel like it’s a little early to be having the Episode IX conversation… I will say that the story of Rey and Poe and Finn and Kylo Ren — and if you look, there are three men and one woman, to those that are complaining that there are too many women in Star Wars,” he swiped.
“Their story continues in a way that I couldn’t be more excited about and cannot wait for people to see.”
He added: “I think everyone is going to have their point of view.
“Certainly something I discovered early on in the Star Wars world, is that you’re going to have an incredibly passionate and vocal fanbase, and they’re all going to have a lot of specific opinions.”
Episode 9 is thought to be going into production this summer, after being pushed back when Carrie Fisher sadly passed away.
Before the cameras roll, Solo: A Star Wars Story – the Han Solo prequel – is out in May.
Several more films are in the pipeline, with Johnson returning to helm his own trilogy.
Star Wars Episode IX is out in 2019.
