The anticipation has been building since last year for the most recent instalment of Star Wars and as the hype reaches fever pitch with the Irish premiere tonight our very own Roe McDermott spoke to the female stars about the gender balance that Abrams strikes in its most recent episode.

Speaking to Daisy Ridley and Gwendoline Christie, Roe finds out what exactly Abrams brought to the most recent episode of Star Wars by creating strong female characters.

Ridley who plays Rey explains that her inspiration for her character was not Princess Leia but Luke Skywalker. She explains that "he embodies so much of everyone. Everyone starts out on a path, then circumstances change, and things happen, and you go to a new path. The thing thats always with him is the good. He's the good against the evil." This would appear to be the kind female characters that Abrams was trying to create, taking inspiration from all aspects of the franchise.

Abrams suggests that his decision to fill the film with engaging female characters was very much deliberate. This is something that Abrams has always done, create strong female characters as is evident if you look through his CV.

Gwendoline Christie who plays Captain Phasma has very strong views about how the new episode of Star Wars portrays women. Christie explains in the interview that what interests her "is the fact that women are represented more than ever. They are represented with strength and positivity and strength and negativity."

In a time where gender balance is becoming more of an issue in Hollywood with disputes over pay and leading rolls Abrams would appear to be one of the pioneering directors trying to change this.

Finally Christie and Ridley both agree that working with Abrams is a dream come through, suggesting the ease he creates on the set allowing them to develop their characters.

Read the full interview by Roe McDermott in the Hot Press Annual on news shelves today.
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