JJ Abrams: No Midichlorians In THE FORCE AWAKENS!! Read the full article on AICN I am – Hercules!! “The running time is always sort of adjusting. It’s anywhere from an hour and a half and four hours. Somewhere in that area,” J.J. Abrams tells MTV of “The Force Awakens” running time. “Peter Jackson keeps calling, saying ‘Make it four hours.’ I’m like, ‘Fine.’ So there’ll be a New Zealand edition.” Abrams is also careful to specify that CBS’ 1978 “Star Wars Holiday Special” is canon. “Does anyone ever mention midichlorians?” asks the MTV guy. Replies Abrams: “In the movie?