Director Kevin Smith ("Tusk") is arguably the uber nerd of Hollywood whose opinions matter quite a lot to fans of superhero movies and classic sci-fi/fantasy series. That's why Smith's recent reveal about "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" has movie-goers somehow even more excited for the hotly anticipated film than they already were.
Smith recently told Hollywood Babble that he's caught a few reels of J.J. Abrams' "The Force Awakens," and fans fretting about a prequel-like mishap need not worry.
"I saw a buddy of mine, a filmmaker friend, who is making this movie that is so f---ing wonderful," Smith said. "And I saw a chunk of it. And it was...spellbinding. It's the only way I can describe it. It's like, I love movies and sometimes I over praise them and s---, but this is the only way I can describe this: it was like - not figuratively, literally - being transported to the fountain of youth. And having the fount of youth taking me back to 1977. First time I saw a picture called Star Wars. I can't say much more."
Co-host Ralph Garman pushed Smith for further details (as we all would), yet the director said he was sworn to secrecy and even required to sign legal documents prohibiting him from revealing anything else. When Garman asked him point blank if he was talking about "The Force Awakens," Smith replied that he was "talking in code."
"There's a lot of hope out there," Smith added. "But there's still that cynical edge that's still leaning forward in their seats and saying, 'Could it be? Did he do it?' And I f---ing promise you - as I hold back the tears - he beyond f---ing did it."
Smith and Abrams have long been friends, so it's almost a guarantee that Smith was discussing the new "Star Wars" film. This is welcome news to any and all fans of the classic series, especially those worried that the franchise was irredeemable after the much-maligned prequels.
But fans will get to make up their own minds once and for all when "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" hits theaters on Dec. 18.
