'Star Wars' director says Kylo Ren and Rey touching hands in 'The Last Jedi' is the closet thing to a sex scene that 'Star Wars' will ever have
- "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" had a steamy moment between Rey and Kylo Ren.
- The pair hold hands using the Force, though they never physically touch.
- Speaking at SXSW, director Rian Johnson said the scene is probably "the closest thing we'll get to a sex scene in a 'Star Wars' movie."
"Star Wars" fans have been shipping Rey and Kylo Ren as a couple since the Force-wielding youngsters laid eyes on each other - telepathically, that is - in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi."
In one of the movie's most memorable scenes, Rey and Kylo Ren are able to communicate with one another from across the galaxy through the Force. They're able to see each other and their surroundings.
Rey then reaches out to hold Kylo Ren's hand. He removes his glove and feels her touch through the Force.
"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" director Rian Johnson told fans that this moment between the movie's heroine and rebellious rogue is probably the steamiest the franchise will get.
During his talk at the SXSW film festival on Monday, Johnson responded to a fan's question about why there are so many close-up shots of hands in "The Last Jedi." The director said it's always "tempting" to make a simple scene over-the-top, especially when the budget permits, but it's more rewarding "if you can get a satisfying beat out of the intimate."
"The ultimate expression of that is focusing [the shot] even tighter when there's contact. To me, one of my favorite shots of the movie is those two fingers touching," Johnson said.
He added, "It's the closest thing we'll get to a sex scene in a 'Star Wars' movie."
The crowd erupted in laughter.
Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, made a special appearance during Johnson's talk at SXSW. He lamented that even Luke didn't get to hold hands with a romantic partner.
"There's one really attractive woman in the galaxy. Bad news is she's your sister," Hamill said.