Star Wars director Gareth Edwards on AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) remains a divisive ethical issue as studios scramble to respond.

From deepfake technology to the replacement of creatives in the pursuit of profit, AI is deeply embedded in our daily lives.

Star Wars and Jurassic World director Gareth Edwards, who directed the AI-themed tale The Creator, has come out in support of AI.

Edwards speaking at AI on the Lot, an event in Culver City, California, organised by Amazon, said: “I can’t see a reason why you wouldn’t become interested in this stuff as a film-maker. It’s so clearly a tool that might be up there with the camera. It’s going to be better than CGI.”

Edwards said that AI is most useful in preproduction, saying: “It’s only good for iteration and discovering what the movie should be, and then once you know what it is, go in and start making it your movie.”

He added, “It has no taste whatsoever. It is a f***ing genius at helping you. I view it like having a second-unit director who is a billionaire on acid. Like, it’ll do anything you ask, not a problem. Sometimes, it’ll [go] batshit crazy. And you’ll give it notes, and it’ll be like, ‘I don’t do notes. I’ll just do something totally different.’ But it’s worth it.”

The use of generative AI imagery in film and television has garnered a mixed reaction from critics (myself included).

Edwards, however, said that the pace of change in AI technology made it impossible to predict its future. “We don’t know where it’s going to go. I think anybody saying they know exactly what’s going to happen over the next five years is just a liar.”

What are your thoughts on AI? Is it more Star Slop than Star Wars? Let me know in the comments below.

Monster mayhem in Jurassic World Rebirth

Universal Pictures has released an official trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth. It teases an Alien-inspired mutant dinosaur and Indiana Jones thrills.

The upcoming instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise is directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), and stars Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation) and Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton).



Read the official synopsis:

“Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind. Johansson plays skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world’s three most massive dinosaurs. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.”

The cast includes Luna Blaise (Manifest), David Iacono (The Summer I Turned Pretty) and Audrina Miranda (Lopez vs. Lopez) as Reuben’s family. The film also features, as members of Zora and Krebs’ crews, Philippine Velge (Station Eleven), Bechir Sylvain (BMF) and Ed Skrein (Deadpool).

“Jurassic Park is a horror film in the witness protection program,” Edwards says. “Most people don’t think of it like that. We all went to see it as kids. But I was scared shitless, to be honest, when I was at the cinema watching the T-Rex attack. It’s one of the most well-directed scenes in cinema history, so the bar’s really high to come on board and try and do this.”

Jurassic World Rebirth will be in cinemas on 2nd July.

Are you looking forward to Jurassic World Rebirth? Let me know in the comments below.

Jurassic World Rebirth first look

Universal Pictures has released the first images and an official synopsis for Jurassic World Rebirth.

The upcoming instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise is directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), and stars Scarlett Johansson (Lost in Translation) and Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton).

Read the official synopsis:

“Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures within that tropical biosphere hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind. Johansson plays skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure genetic material from the world’s three most massive dinosaurs. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that’s been hidden from the world for decades.”

Jurassic World Rebirth will be in cinemas in July 2025.

Are you looking forward to Jurassic World Rebirth? Let me know in the comments below.

Gareth Edwards to helm new Jurassic World

The next instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise is expected to be filmed this summer at Sky Studios Elstree with Gareth Edwards (The Creator) at the helm.

Edwards is no stranger to blockbuster monster movies after directing Godzilla and Star Wars.

"Watching ‘Star Wars' as a child, I always assumed blockbuster filmmaking was just a distant dream for someone growing up in the UK. But then, as I watched the behind-the-scenes, I suddenly realized it was all filmed in a studio just outside of London. And that making ambitious commercial films is totally within the reach of British filmmakers," he said. "When I finally got to make my first film ‘Monsters,' it was made in the true independent style - with a small cast and crew, a tiny budget and shot in just a few weeks. I learnt so much, so fast, and would definitely describe it was one of the most creative experiences I've ever had. Without that opportunity, I would never have been given ‘Godzilla,' ‘Star Wars' and ‘The Creator'… And now as we organize shooting the new ‘Jurassic Park' film in ‘a studio just outside London,' I hope we inspire other new filmmakers to shoot small but always dream big."

The upcoming sequel is executive produced by director Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park).

Are you looking forward to Jurassic World 4? Let me know in the comments below.

The Creator

As an artificial intelligence (AI) ethics debate rages on, director Gareth Edwards (Godzilla) returns to the big screen with a timely tale.

This is Edwards' first film since Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which was beset by reshoots under the auspices of Tony Gilroy (Andor). We may never know how much of Edwards' original vision made it to screen.

Nick Smith, our US-based stellar scribe, ponders the implications of AI, a recurring theme in science fiction.

Guest post by Nick Smith

You can’t judge a good movie by its trailer, as demonstrated by the latest blockbuster from the director of Godzilla and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Gareth Edwards. The advertising apes seem to give the game away with the trailer for The Creator, which depicts AI-gone-wrong androids and maverick freedom fighter Joshua (played by Tenet’s John David Washington) sent to defeat the robotic remnants. But oh no, the last remnant is a child! What’s an individualist to do in such a situation?

When I described the trailer to my son, we decided this must be a Terminator/Blade Runner mashup. Thankfully, The Creator is far more than that. The plot twist of the trailer – which would have been a more effective turning point in the movie if it hadn’t been given away – is just the beginning of this ride into the future, which is full of visual creativity and amazing CGI, which is sewn into the images of combat, high technology, and humanity in the face of large-scale threat that Edwards always does so well.

Storywise, Edwards keeps it simple.

America is bad and senselessly destructive. The US army is bad, with no regard for human or AI life that stands in its way. The plot is reminiscent of James Cameron’s Avatar, and who can blame Edwards for that, since Avatar has raked in almost $3 billion? The child droid Alphie (9-year-old Madeleine Yuna Voyles), who displays near-mystic, physics-twisting powers, bears similarities with another Avatar – Aang the Last Airbender.

Like Aang, Alphie is on the run from a powerful foe – not Prince Zuko this time, but the US military. They have a superweapon that can shut down all AI. And, apart from the whole we-don’t-want-to-deactivate-a-child thing, shouldn’t we root for America? After all, AI steals our art and our jobs, invades our privacy and threatens our security.

The comparisons with America’s involvement in Vietnam are hardly subtle here, with an East Asian setting and a bombastic military picking on the small guy. It gives the audience something to connect with as we see rice paddies invaded by giant mechs.

But that human element is never lost and, as in Blade Runner, we are asked to examine what it means to be human. Should we care about machines? Would we care more about them if they looked like us? Joshua tries not to care but finds it harder as he becomes more invested in the plight of the AIs.

The question for modern audiences is, does The Creator cover any new ground? For those who have not read Philip K. Dick or seen his movie adaptations, the answer is yes. For veteran cinephiles, not so much. But a lack of storytelling nuance is made up for by the visuals, which encompass everything from 2000 AD (with a rust-bucket anthropomorphised bomb droid straight out of Ro-Busters) to 9/11 to 2001: A Space Odyssey while adding new eye-popping detail throughout.

The Creator is a thrilling adventure that could have ruled the summer with a bigger, better cast, but as it stands, it’s a fantastic fix for action sci-fi junkies.

The Creator is available to own digitally from Amazon (affiliate link).

Have you seen The Creator? Let me know in the comments below.

Nick Smith's new audiobook, Undead on Arrival, is available from Amazon (affiliate link).

The sound of The Creator

Director Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) discusses his approach to sound design for The Creator in a roundtable hosted by the Dolby Institute.



Edwards explains: “The whole making of a film is [a] dance. You're on a razor's edge. You go slightly too much this way, it's really obvious and cliched. You go slightly too much this way, it's up its own arse and no one understands it. And you're just trying to do that knife edge the whole time. And the way you get there is not through being really clever. To be honest, you pick a side to start on and then you go right up to the limit.”

Dolby has a storied history with cinema sound and is synonymous with the original Star Wars trilogy. As I've written previously, the company was instrumental in piquing an early interest in home cinema. I'm an advocate for Dolby Vision and Atmos content on streaming services such as Disney+.

Have you seen The Creator? What did you think of the sound design? Let me know in the comments below.

From Star Wars to The Creator

20th Century Studios has dropped a final trailer for The Creator.



The Creator, directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story), is a post-apocalyptic tale set in the wake of a war between humans and artificial intelligence (AI). AI continues to generate controversial discourse regarding creativity, employment, ethics and more.



The Creator is exclusively in cinemas on 28th September.

What did you think of the final trailer for The Creator? Is it rehashing established sci-fi tropes or offering a fresh perspective like Silo on Apple TV+? Let me know in the comments below.

The Creator from Rogue One director

Director Gareth Edwards' follow-up to fan-favourite Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is timely! Disney has dropped a teaser trailer for The Creator.



The Creator is a post-apocalyptic tale set in the wake of a war between humans and artificial intelligence (AI). The subject of AI continues to dominate the mainstream media with concerns surrounding unemployment within the creative and tech industries for example.

In the late nineties, I speculated that my online journalist role in editorial and product development could be replaced by AI in the future. At the start of the millennium, the work was outsourced in the pursuit of profit and I, along with my colleagues, was made redundant. The future is now.

The Creator is in cinemas on 28th September.

What did you think of the teaser trailer for The Creator? Is it rehashing established sci-fi tropes or offering a fresh perspective like Silo on Apple TV+? Let me know in the comments below.

Tony Gilroy joins Disney+ Rogue One spin-off

Variety exclusively reports Tony Gilroy, who masterminded reshoots on director Gareth Edwards' Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, is joining the Cassian Andor live-action Rogue One prequel series for Disney+.

Gilroy will write and direct episodes of the upcoming spin-off series with Diego Luna and Alan Tudyk reprising the roles of Cassian Andor and K-2SO respectively.

Disney+ launches on 12th November with the first-ever Star Wars live-action series, The Mandalorian, from Jon Favreau (Iron Man) and Dave Filoni (Star Wars Rebels). December sees the release of the final chapter in the nine-part Skywalker saga, The Rise of Skywalker, directed by JJ Abrams (The Force Awakens). Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige will then join Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy to produce the next Star Wars movies.

BAFTA interviews JJ Abrams on making of Star Wars

BAFTA recently talked to Star Wars directors JJ Abrams (The Force Awakens, Episode IX), Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) and actress Felicity Jones who played Jyn Erso in Rogue One.



In a related clip, actress Keira Knightley discusses her role as Padme's (Natalie Portman) decoy in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace.

Tom Hardy's cameo cut from The Last Jedi

If you're wondering where Tom Hardy's First Order Stormtrooper was in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, he was cut from director Rian Johnson's divisive sequel. However, Hardy's scene will be included as part of an additional twenty minutes of footage in the upcoming Blu-ray disc release.

Hardy's character possessed a thick southern accent who, after initially appearing threatening, turns out to be an ally of Finn (John Boyega) (via SlashFilm).

“I know who you are…. FN 2187!” Hardy's character reportedly says. “Damn boy, I never took you for officer material.”

Did you spot Rogue One: A Star Wars Story director Gareth Edwards fighting in the trenches on Crait in The Last Jedi?

You can read my spoiler review for The Last Jedi here. Suffice to say I've already pre-ordered the 4K Blu-ray disc, which is available from Amazon (affiliate link).

The Last Jedi is the longest Star Wars movie yet

Director Rian Johnson has announced his upcoming Star Wars sequel is 150 minutes. This surpasses Attack of the Clones.

Speaking at a press conference in France, Johnson confirmed the running time, which makes The Last Jedi the longest Star Wars film to date. "Disney gave us a real freedom in writing," he said. "It was something very organic. For me, it was like when I worked on my old movies."

The director went on to address if The Last Jedi was merely a retread of The Empire Strikes Back. A criticism levelled at The Force Awakens for drawing heavily on A New Hope.

"I guess I’d be hesitant to use the word ‘homage’ because that makes it sound like it’s just kind of turning the crank and replaying an old tune because we all like it,” he told SciFiNow. "But telling a story that brings new things and pushes everything forward in an interesting way, that is in this world that we all recognise, there’s something very powerful about that."

However, Johnson appreciates the nostalgia for the original trilogy, which he grew up watching.

"It’s very interesting, the idea of the inescapable draw of nostalgia, because it’s there and it’s impossible to deny the emotional reaction that I have walking onto the interior of the [Millennium] Falcon."

In related news. The Last Jedi trumps The Force Awakens for star cameos. Daniel Craig (James Bond) may have played a First Order Stormtrooper in JJ Abrams' franchise reboot. However, Tom Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road), Princes William and Harry and Gary Barlow are rumoured to don Stormtrooper armour to ward off the Resistance this December. Gareth Edwards, who directed Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, is confirmed to be in the new film.

Personally, if The Last Jedi is amazing then it bodes well for Johnson's own Star Wars trilogy and affirms Disney's trust.

Book tickets to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi from Fandango. This is an affiliate link and therefore I may receive compensation for any referrals.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is in cinemas 15th December.

Director Colin Trevorrow exits Star Wars: Episode IX

Following weeks of speculation in the wake of the troubled Han Solo spin-off movie that saw director Ron Howard take the helm from wonderkids Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Colin Trevorrow is the latest director to leave a Star Wars movie at Disney.

Is the franchise in creative crisis at the Mouse House? Even Gareth Edwards' Rogue One underwent an extensive summer reshoot under the auspices of Tony Gilroy. Lucasfilm has released a statement:

"Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow have mutually chosen to part ways on Star Wars: Episode IX. Colin has been a wonderful collaborator throughout the development process but we have all come to the conclusion that our visions for the project differ. We wish Colin the best and will be sharing more information about the film soon."

There's been no negative coverage surrounding Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi, which is released in theatres this December. Will Johnson be asked to direct or could JJ Abrams return for the final installment in the sequel trilogy? Both directors share Lucasfilm's vision for an homogenised Star Wars universe, and I say that in the best sense of the word.

Who would you like to see direct Star Wars: Episode IX? Let me know in the comments below.

Phil Lord and Chris Miller fired from Star Wars spin-off

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have disembarked from the upcoming Han Solo Star Wars spin-off movie due for release May 2018. A new director will be announced soon.

“Phil Lord and Christopher Miller are talented filmmakers who have assembled an incredible cast and crew, but it’s become clear that we had different creative visions on this film, and we’ve decided to part ways. A new director will be announced soon,” said Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm.

“Unfortunately, our vision and process weren’t aligned with our partners on this project. We normally aren’t fans of the phrase ‘creative differences’ but for once this cliché is true. We are really proud of the amazing and world-class work of our cast and crew,” stated Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

After Phil Lord and Christopher Miller took to the stage at Star Wars Celebration Europe, I was really looking forward to seeing them play in the Star Wars sandpit. The directors have a deft ability to take something overtly commercial and make it fun as exemplified in The LEGO Movie.

Bizarrely, the Han Solo spin-off has been filming since January. So, perhaps there's a tonal issue between the directors and Lucasfilm? It's worth noting Richard Donner was famously fired from Superman II and that turned out OK. Joe Johnston (Captain America: The First Avenger) and Ron Howard (Apollo 13) are frontrunners to take the helm of the troubled Star Wars production.

In related news. Colin Trevorrow's latest movie, The Book of Henry, has met with universal criticism and some fans are calling for the director to be replaced on Episode IX. Seemingly Star Wars is having growing pains at Disney. Josh Trank departed from an untitled spin-off and Gareth Edwards' Rogue One underwent extensive reshoots. The latter didn't turn out too shabby.

Who do you think should direct the Han Solo spin-off? Let me know in the comments below.

Hayden Christensen at Star Wars Celebration

May marks the 40th anniversary of Star Wars' release in the US. So, this year's Star Wars Celebration is extra special for fans.

Hayden Christensen is appearing at Star Wars Celebration for the first time since 2002, which has fuelled ongoing speculation he's reprised his role as Anakin Skywalker in director Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi. The actor's likeness appeared in Gareth Edwards' Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

Christensen's portrayal of Anakin Skywalker, in the Star Wars prequels, was met with mixed reaction until the latter moments of Revenge of the Sith. Most notably when a dismembered Skywalker solidifies Obi-Wan Kenobi's (Ewan McGregor) failure. However, Natalie Portman delivers a bland performance herself. This could be attributed to the director, dialogue and an over-reliance on special effects. Therefore, I'm optimistic given Johnson's focus on a character-driven story.

Hayden Christensen joins Mark Hamill and more at a special "40 Years of Star Wars" panel on 13th April. Lucasfilm teased the lineup:

"Never before have this many involved in bringing Star Wars to life — from the original trilogy to the prequels to the current Star Wars Rebels animated series — joined together in one place to discuss a galaxy far, far away. Plenty of surprises are in store so fans will not want to miss this very important kick-off to Celebration."

Stay tuned for more coverage of Star Wars Celebration.

Gareth Edwards on Darth Vader's Rogue One massacre

Much of the success of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, the first Star Wars standalone movie, can be attributed to the exhilarating final act, which, as I suggested in my review, took Star Wars to the nth degree and into A New Hope.

During the SXSW Film Festival, director Gareth Edwards spoke to Fandango and shed light on Rogue One's extensive summer reshoot that included the addition of Darth Vader boarding the Rebel ship, with horrifying consequences, in the final moments.

“He arrives and obliterates the Calamari ship, and then the blockade runner gets out just in time and he pursues the blockade runner. And then Jabez was like, ‘I think we need to get Darth on that ship,’ and I thought, yeah, that’s a brilliant idea and would love to do it, but there’s no way they’re going to let us do it. It’s a big number and we had, what, like 3 or 4 months before release.

Kathy [Kennedy] came in and Jabez thought, f--k it, and pitched her this idea, and she loved it. Suddenly within a week or two we were at Pinewood shooting that scene. [They] came up with a whole shopping list of ideas. 70% we used, and maybe 30% felt a little too extreme. They were things you hadn’t seen him do before…

It just felt right; it felt like the right thing to do. It really is just the greatest hits of Darth; that corridor. And we really didn’t want to do anything you haven’t seen him do so it didn’t throw people off. We kept it to what had been established.”

Fans finally witnessed the wrath of Darth Vader in a way the prequels failed to convey.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is released on Blu-ray this April.

Rogue One is coming home this March

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is coming home only months after its cinematic release.

The first Star Wars spin-off, directed by Gareth Edwards, will be released digitally in the US on 24th March. However, UK fans will have to wait until 10th April to see Jyn Erso and her rebel band steal the Death Star plans.

Alas, deleted scenes are not included in this inaugural home release, and the summer reshoots may not be addressed. But, that won't dissuade fans (myself included) from buying the Blu-ray release and there's Easter Eggs galore:

A Rogue Idea – Hear how ILM’s John Knoll came up with the movie’s concept – and why it’s the right film to launch the Star Wars stand-alone films.
Jyn: The Rebel – Get to know Rogue One’s defiant, resourceful survivor, and hear what it was like for Felicity Jones to bring her to life onscreen.
Cassian: The Spy – Diego Luna shares insights into his complex, driven character, who becomes a hero through selflessness, perseverance and passion.
K-2SO: The Droid – Explore the development of this reprogrammed Imperial droid, from initial pitch and character design through Alan Tudyk’s performance.
Baze & Chirrut: Guardians of the Whills – Go deeper into the relationship between these two very different characters, with Chinese superstars Jiang Wen and Donnie Yen.
Bodhi & Saw: The Pilot & The Revolutionary – Forest Whitaker and Riz Ahmed reflect on Saw Gerrera, the broken Rebel leader, and Bodhi Rook, the Imperial pilot who defects.
The Empire – Meet a dangerous new Imperial adversary… and cross paths once more with the most iconic villain of all time.
Visions of Hope: The Look of “Rogue One” – The filmmakers describe the challenges and thrills of developing a bold new look for the movie that can fit within the world of the original trilogy.
The Princess & The Governor – See what it took to bring the vibrant young princess of Star Wars: A New Hope – as well as one of her most memorable foes­ – back to the screen.
Epilogue: The Story Continues – Filmmakers and cast celebrate Rogue One’s premiere and look forward into the future, to the Star Wars stories yet to be told.
Rogue Connections – Uncover Easter eggs and film facts hidden throughout the movie that connect Rogue One to the Star Wars universe.

I stand by my assertion Rogue One is the best Star Wars movie since the original trilogy. Seriously, I can't wait to watch Rogue One and A New Hope back-to-back this spring.

Looking forward. Star Wars Celebration Orlando is the most likely venue for a teaser trailer for director Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi.

Rogue One is available for pre-order from Amazon.

Rogue One reaches milestone at the box office

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story reached a box office milestone 39 days after release. Director Gareth Edwards' Star Wars prequel has now passed $1 billion dollars worldwide.

This means the Lucasfilm franchise joins Disney stablemates Captain America: Civil War, Finding Dory and Zootopia to form a billion dollar or more box office quartet from 2016.

The Mouse House tried to curtail expectations in the wake of JJ Abrams' The Force Awakens' 2 billion dollar box office tally from 2015.

Rogue One, starring Felicity Jones, is utterly deserving of its success both critically and commercially. The prequel to A New Hope enhances the first Star Wars movie; raising expectations for the spin-off movies going forward.

Star Wars starts 40th anniversary top at the box office

Happy New Year to folks who celebrate and may the Force be with us all in 2017!

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Star Wars' release in the US and director Rian Johnson's untitled Episode VIII will be lent even greater poignancy in the wake of actress Carrie Fisher's death, last December, when the first sequel to JJ Abrams' The Force Awakens opens in theatres later this year.

Gareth Edwards' Rogue One: A Star Wars Story continues to dominate multiplexes over the festive season, becoming the 2nd highest grossing movie of 2016. Doubtlessly, fans (including myself) will have returned to theatres in tribute to the late actress and her iconic role as Princess Leia. Of course Carrie Fisher was so much more. But, for now...

Aside from Episode VIII, which movies are you looking forward to most in 2017? Let me know in the comments below.

Fans flock to see Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

The experiment worked! The first Star Wars standalone movie is a critical and commercial success.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story took $155 million at the US box office in its opening weekend, but falls short of The Force Awakens' $248 million domestic debut. Worldwide takings are $290.5 million and, with the festive season fully underway, that's only going to increase as more fans and cinema goers flock to multiplexes around the world.

Director Gareth Edwards' instalment is a dark chapter in the franchise and there's a high body count. Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst with comScore, said the film lived up to expectations.

Based on the success of Rogue One and The Force Awakens, he said: "The next film in the Star Wars saga has the potential to claim the title as the biggest movie of all time."

Star Wars will be an annual festive tradition for years to come. Well, until at least 2020.

May I wish all my readers a fantastic festive period, whatever you may be doing, and all the best for the New Year! Thank you for all your comments. I'm off to see Rogue One, again, and hope you all find Star Wars goodies under the Christmas tree.

See you in 2017 for the 40th Anniversary of Star Wars' release in the US and Rian Johnson's Episode VIII.