J.J. Abrams regrets not directing new 'Star Wars' film

J.J. Abrams can’t help feeling some regret over not being in the director’s chair for the next Star Wars movie.

In 2015 sci-fi fans were treated to the first new Star Wars movie in 10 years, when The Force Awakens hit cinemas a decade after Revenge of the Sith.

Stars like Daisy Ridley and John Boyega were introduced to the franchise, working alongside old favourites Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher. A lot of the actors will be back next year for Star Wars: Episode VIII, which Abrams is producing but not directing like he did the last installment. Instead Rian Johnson has taken the reins.

“I’d be lying if I said there weren’t pangs of regret,” he told Variety. “Particularly when I realize I won’t get to say ‘Action!’ to Daisy Ridley, or get to work with Mark Hamill in a scene where he gets to speak.”

Despite the popular director not helming the next film, the franchise’s popularity shows no signs of wavering. As well as Episode VIII, Star Wars devotees can also see spin-off movie Rogue One: A Star Wars Story from December, and a Han Solo movie is also currently in production, based on the character made famous by Ford.

“One of the many wonderful byproducts of the universe that George (Lucas) created is that nearly anything can happen within it,” Abrams explained. “There are other stories that we can tell in that same transportive and transcendent spirit. Going forward, you’re going to see movies that shift tonally, some that are grittier and tougher, and some more comedic in nature.”

Lucasfilm chief Kathleen Kennedy also shares that the production company is eager to bring a female director on board for future projects.

“We want to make sure that when we bring a female director in to do Star Wars, they’re set up for success,” Kennedy stated. “They’re gigantic films, and you can’t come into them with essentially no experience.”