J.J. Abrams Admits "Mistake" In Rey & Leia Scene From 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'

**Spoilers ahead** Nearly three months after it hit theaters, we’re finally at a lull in the conversation around "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," but it’s only sure to spark up again when the movie hits home video next month and super fans are able to examine the sequel frame-by-frame. But J.J. Abrams is putting one conspiracy theory to bed.

Following the death of Han Solo, fans noted it was curious that when the Resistance fighters returned from blowing up Starkiller Base, Rey and Leia shared a hug, a moment some viewed as significant considering they had actually never met before. Wouldn’t Leia’s instinct be to comfort Han’s longtime pal, Chewbacca? Did this mean there was a deeper relationship between Rey and Leia that Abrams was teasing but wasn’t yet ready to reveal? Perhaps they’re actually related? Nah, it was actually a miscalculation on his part.

"That was probably one of the mistakes I made in that. My thinking at the time was that Chewbacca, despite the pain he was feeling, was focused on trying to save Finn and getting him taken care of. So I tried to have Chewbacca go off with him and focus on Rey, and then have Rey find Leia and Leia find Rey. The idea being that both of them being strong with the Force and never having met, would know about each other — that Leia would have been told about her beyond what we saw onscreen and Rey of course would have learned about Leia. And that reunion would be a meeting and a reunion all in one, and a sort of commiseration of their mutual loss," Abrams told Slashfilm.

"Had Chewbacca not been where he was, you probably wouldn’t have thought of it. But because he was right there, passed by Leia, it felt almost like a slight, which was definitely not the intention," he added.

So sorry folks, no conspiracy there. Just filmmaking that wobbled ever so slightly in that moment.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" hits digital download on April 1st and then Blu-ray on April 5th. The special feature, full length documentary "Secrets Of The Force Awakens: A Cinematic Journey" will screen at SXSW on Monday, March 14th at noon at the Paramount Theatre.