It can now be definitively said – directing Star Wars is back breaking work. J.J. Abrams revealed that when he rushed to help Harrison Ford during shooting last year when he injured himself that the director took quite the hit. While on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart (namesake for Obi-Wan Kenobi’s home planet since we’re on the topic), Abrams went into detail about how he managed to break a vertebra after rushing to Ford‘s side when he injured his ankle.
“He’s down there and hes toughing it out. He’s a super human being. He’s literally lying there making jokes,” Abrams’ recalled from the accident in Pinewood Studios last year, “This door had gone down, and I’m trying to help lift it up, because thats the kind of guy I am. I’m trying to lift up this door and I feel this pop in my back. I’m like ‘Uh, that’s weird’.”
After a few days and a doctor appointment, it turned out that Abrams had broken the L4 vertebra in his lower back. And Abram was stuck wearing a back brace long after Ford recovered from his injury.
Whatever way you look at the director, it’s nothing short of impressive to see that sort of selfless dedication to the actors and work.
