Steven graduated Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications, focusing on film studies, journalism and theatre arts. Dubbed a "prolific" writer by Hollywood icon Kenneth Johnson (The Incredible Hulk, V, The Bionic Woman, Alien Nation), Steven has been honored by the Arkansas College Media Association for his story writing prowess. He has also received recognition for his dramatic writing from the Eerie, Shriekfest and Screamfest horror film festivals. Publications include: Carroll County News, Saline Courier, Forum, Echo and Moroch.

Director goes to bat for the ole rust bucket

Posted Thursday, May 4, 2017, at 7:54 PM

LOS ANGELES — Filmmaker Rian Johnson took the helm from director J. J. Abrams for both "The Last Jedi" and "Episode IX" of the Star Wars saga. And Johnson had a small favor to ask of Abrams after seeing Rey meet Luke Skywalker at the conclusion of Star Wars The Force Awakens. The courtesy was all about a droid.

"I asked if R2 could come with Rey, and if BB-8 could stay behind with the Resistance,” Johnson said. “Originally it was BB-8 who went with Rey, which makes sense for the story in a way. But I asked, ‘Can you do me this solid and switch the droids?’”

R2-D2 has appeared in all seven of the trilogy films thus far, but he was deep in sleep mode during "The Force Awakens." But once the resistance learned the location of Jedi Master Skywalker, R2 awoke and joined Rey and Chewbacca on their journey to the secluded hideaway.

In the interview, Johnson also divulged another plot detail about the upcoming "Last Jedi," in terms of why Luke went into exile.

“Figuring out where his (Luke) head was at was the very first thing I had to do when writing the movie," Johnson said. "I had to crack this. And it had to be something for me that first and foremost made sense. Why did Luke Skywalker go off to this island? That was the starting point, and that’s what the entire movie explores.”

Director goes to bat for the ole rust bucket

​"I asked if R2 could come with Rey, and if BB-8 could stay behind with the Resistance,” Johnson said. “Originally it was BB-8 who went with Rey, which makes sense for the story in a way. But I asked, ‘Can you do me this solid and switch the droids?’”

​R2-D2 has appeared in all seven of the trilogy films thus far, but he was deep in sleep mode during "The Force Awakens." But once the resistance learned the location of Jedi Master Skywalker, R2 awoke and joined Rey and Chewbacca on their journey to the secluded hideaway.

​In the interview, Johnson also divulged another plot detail about the upcoming "Last Jedi," in terms of why Luke went into exile.​

​Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens on December 15, 2017.

"I asked if R2 could come with Rey, and if BB-8 could stay behind with the Resistance,” Johnson said. “Originally it was BB-8 who went with Rey, which makes sense for the story in a way. But I asked, ‘Can you do me this solid and switch the droids?’”

R2-D2 has appeared in all seven of the trilogy films thus far, but he was deep in sleep mode during "The Force Awakens." But once the resistance learned the location of Jedi Master Skywalker, R2 awoke and joined Rey and Chewbacca on their journey to the secluded hideaway.

In the interview, Johnson also divulged another plot detail about the upcoming "Last Jedi," in terms of why Luke went into exile.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi opens on December 15, 2017.