The script for Star Wars: Episode VIII is so good, J.J. Abrams wants to direct it

JJ Abrams must be feeling pretty good right now. Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens - that small, insignificant movie he directed which opened in cinemas over the world just last week - is already breaking records, and both critics (read our review of The Force Awakens here) and audiences are enjoying it quite a bit. After working on the film for the past three years, it's easy to see why Abrams decided to step back into an Executive Producer role for Episode VIII. However, it seems like that's a decision he regrets.

Speaking with The Washington Post, The Force Awakens actor Greg Gunberg revealed that when Abrams read the script for Episode VIII he "said something he never, ever says. ‘It’s so good, I wish I were making it.’ He may have said something one time on ‘Lost,’ with Damon [Lindelof, the co-creator], but I never hear him express regret like that".

Although Abrams would have undoubtedly been a safe pair of hands were he to have helmed Episode VIII, it will be both intriguing and exciting to see what Rian Johnson and Colin Trevorrow bring to Episodes 8 and 9 respectively, and Abrams' vote of approval for the former's script has only increased our anticipation.

Directed by JJ Abrams and starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis, Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is out in cinemas now.

Images: Disney