Filmmaker JJ Abrams had addressed criticism over the last film in the current Star Wars trilogy, The Rise Of Skywalker, which he directed.

The Rise Of Skywalker was released on Friday, and received a mixed reaction from critics, some of whom felt it wrapped up the series nicely, while others felt it did too much to redress issues some fans held with its predecessor, The Last Jedi.

“I was asked just seven hours ago in another country, ‘So how do you go about pleasing everyone?‘” JJ told Vanity Fair, when asked about the reaction to his new film. “I was like ‘What…?’

“Not to say that that’s what anyone should try to do anyway, but how would one go about it? Especially with Star Wars.” 

On the Star Wars fan community, which has become polarised following the release of The Last Jedi and The Rise Of Skywalker, JJ continued: “We knew starting this that any decision we made – a design decision, a musical decision, a narrative decision – would please someone and infuriate someone else. There is an MO of either ‘It’s exactly as I see it, or you’re my enemy’.

“It’s a crazy thing that there’s such a norm that seems to be void of nuance and compassion – and this is not just about Star Wars, this is about everything.”

JJ also directed The Force Awakens, the first instalment in the rebooted franchise, and took over at the helm of The Rise Of Skywalker following the departure of Colin Trevorrow, who stepped down due to creative differences with the president of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy.

Once the current trilogy is complete, a new trilogy helmed by The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson is also in the works.

A spin-off TV series The Mandalorian is also currently streaming on Disney+ in the US (yes, the one with “Baby Yoda”).

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker is in cinemas now.