'Star Wars: Episode 8' is not 'dark' just 'different' says Adam Driver

Cast member Adam Driver brushed aside people who suggest that “Star Wars: Episode 8” is “dark,” by saying that it need not be viewed that way, but added that the tone of the movie was “different.” The actor also praised Director Rian Johnson, who was also involved in the writing, for his approach and also for putting in the preliminary work for the film.

In an interview with Collider, Driver (Kylo Ren) compared the next movie to “The Empire Strikes Back.” The actor said that he doesn’t necessarily feel the movie is “dark.” He said that the film has a different tone, which according to him is necessary.

In a previous interview with Variety, John Boyega (Finn) had teased that “Star Wars: Episode 8” was “different” than “The Force Awakens,” and that it was “bigger” and “darker.” Fellow cast member Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) echoed the same sentiments when he told Rolling Stone magazine that the movie is the “dark second chapter,” but quickly added that it’s “not really dark.”

Driver explained his comments by saying that Johnson trusts the viewers are ready for nuance and ambiguity, and he is not “dumbing anything down.” Driver said that it was “really fun to play” such a character.

Driver revealed that Johnson was working on the script of the movie while they were still making “The Force Awakens.” The actor said that Johnson’s writing is “so clear,” and that he learnt a lot about his character through this writing. He also teased that the director had managed to take the film “to the next level in a really great way.”

After the success of “The Force Awakens,” Driver said that the stakes are even higher for “Star Wars: Episode 8.” The actor said that he personally is not relaxing after delivering a huge hit at the box office. He said that the success of the first movie is yet another reason for the team to redouble their efforts.