J.J. Abrams promises no midi-chlorians in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

It seems like J.J. Abrams is further distancing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” from the prequel trilogy. And this is a good thing.

In an interview with MTV news at the “Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation” premiere, the “Episode 7” director revealed that midi-chlorians would not referenced by anybody in his film.

During a series of quick yes or no answers about “The Force Awakens,” MTV news correspondent Josh Horowitz asked, “Does anyone ever mention midi-chlorians?”

“In the movie? No,” Abrams answered.

So there you have it.

Midi-chlorians, for those who have suppressed all memories of anything related to the prequel films, were introduced in 1999’s “The Phantom Menace” as intelligent microscopic organisms that exist symbiotically in all living cells. It is through midi-chlorians that people interact with the Force.

It was in “The Phantom Menace” that the idea of Jedi conducting blood tests to check an individual’s midi-chlorian count (and thus their aptitude and sensitivity to the Force) was introduced, with Anakin revealed to have a high concentration of midi-chlorians in his blood.

Although George Lucas later shared that “every life form has a midi-chlorian living inside them,” at least in the “Star Wars” universe, many fans were not keen on having such a biological explanation applied to the Force, which in effect reduced the original more spiritual idea to something that can be determined by a simple test. Basically it killed the mysticism of the Force by attempting to quantify its existence.

Of course, the idea of hereditary aptitude for the Force has been present since the original trilogy. But the fact that this idea is directly referenced in the trailer for “The Force Awakens” by repeating Luke’s exact lines about the Force being strong in his family from “Return of the Jedi” also points that Abrams will be channeling a more classic interpretation of the mythology for his film.

Fans still have a while to wait before they can see for themselves whether Abrams is successful. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” will hit theaters Dec. 18.

Check out the full interview with Abrams above for more “The Force Awakens” tidbits, such as the film’s connection to the “Star Wars” holiday special.

Twitter: @tracycbrown