JJ Abrams 'regrets' not directing Star Wars: Episode VIII

Director J.J. Abrams did such a stellar (pun intended) job directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens that it broke box office records (which can also be attributed to Star Wars series cult following) and earned widespread critical acclaim since its Friday release - but after the opening weekend, everyone's ready for the next sequel of the trilogy, expected in May 2017.

Although no longer directing, Abrams will be staying on with the "Star Wars" franchise as an executive producer.

The Force Awakens' $325 million domestic total means that in five days, it has already made more money than most of the other Star Wars movies made during their entire theatrical run. Back then, the Soviet Union still existed, the threat of nuclear war loomed over every "cold" confrontation between the two superpowered blocs, the U.S. had just emerged from a bruising and dispiriting war in Vietnam, the internet didn't exist, and neither did wifi - which maybe explains why Princess Leia took the Millennium Falcon to the rebel base, even though she knew it was being tracked by the Empire. But the film's new villain, the Darth Vader-inspired Kylo Ren, is slammed as "insipid;" while Supreme Leader Snoke - the Emperor Palpatine-like character, is called "the most serious defect of the film", with his representation described as "awkward and tacky".

While the overall number signifies health, studios with massive event movies are outperforming their rivals. "It felt very dangerous".

"Even with a slew of new releases hitting theaters this weekend, the big story will remain "Star Wars" for quite some time", said Shawn Robbins, senior analyst at BoxOffice.com. The Heroes Reborn actor - who's appeared in some shape or form in every project Abrams has been a part of (including LOST) - was seen in The Force Awakens as X-Wing pilot Snap Wexley.