Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Director J.J. Abrams Says Fans Aren’t the 'Adversary'

The Star Wars fanbase may get a little intense at times, but Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker director J.J. Abrams says that fans shouldn't really be seen as the enemies of the franchise.

Speaking in an interview with Popcorn host Peter Travers, Abrams got to talk about the Star Wars fandom. Star Wars fans have a reputation for being overwhelming passionate and at times abrasive. Some Star Wars fans can get so intense, they go out of their way to personally attack the franchise's cast and crew. Still, despite the intensity of the franchise, Abrams says fans aren't the adversaries.

"You can't look at fans of Star Wars as an adversary. They're passionate, and certainly can be contentious, but the fact they care — I feel like I, as a Star Wars fan, understand that love for the series," the director told the entertainment news outlet, "So I feel blessed to be involved in something that matters so much to so many people."

Spirited debate isn't a problem, of course. It's possible for Star Wars fans to disagree with Lucasfilm's directors and writers. It's possible for them to dislike characters. It's possible for them to dislike the story of a film in the franchise. After all, we all have different tastes and look for different things in a film. Some Star Wars fans look for stories that feel familiar. Others want something new.

There's nothing wrong with disagreeing. What's wrong is attacking Star Wars cast and crew when things don't go your way.

Let's hope that Star Wars fans learn to how to be more civil when they disagree on things.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premieres December 20, 2019.

Read: Here's Why The New Mandalorian Episode Will Arrive Earlier This Week