There is little doubt that fans have huge expectations in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. After all, the movie is set to be the final film in the Skywalker Saga. But how exactly will J.J. Abrams manage to bring the entire saga to a satisfying conclusion? In addition to coming up with a great story, the director had to take on a different filmmaking process to finish Episode IX on time.
Maryann Brandon, who served as the editor for The Rise of Skywalker, recently attended a talk at the Carsey-Wolf Center (via ComicBook.com). Interestingly, Brandon revealed that she had to force Abrams to allow her to cut the film as they were shooting so they could stay on schedule.
"When we did [Star Wars:]The Force Awakens we started in May and we finished shooting in October, and we were out [the following] Christmas. For this film, we didn't start until August, so we weren't done until February shooting - so we have four months less time, and it's a very big film. So I convinced J.J. to let me cut on the set. He was like, ‘No, we never do that,'" Brandon revealed.
Nevertheless, she convinced Abrams by telling him to "just try it" so she could "start turning over shots." Although the director initially resisted the change, Brandon shared that Abrams eventually got used to having her around.
"So I was on the set the entire time, and he got so used to it that he was like, ‘You need to be less than ten feet away from me at all times' - so if the camera would move 10 feet, I would move 10 feet," she said. "I was everywhere! Outside, in a water tank."
In the end, it worked out perfectly. The Rise of Skywalker wrapped filming in February and the first teaser was revealed at Star Wars Celebration in April.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker will premiere on December 20.
Related: Star Wars Introduces Unlikely Hero Who ALMOST Killed Darth Vader
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Star Wars: Episode IX