Fans who shouted a collective "Noooo!" at the introduction of the new, unnecessary explanation of the Force (and life itself) in "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace" will be happy to know the dreaded M-word isn't uttered in "The Force Awakens."

Answering a series of yes or no questions from MTV News on the red carpet of "Mission: Impossible -- Rogue Nation," director J.J. Abrams reveals midi-chlorians -- those (sigh) intelligent microscopic lifeforms lurking within the cells of all organisms -- are never mentioned in the upcoming film.

However, the long-mocked "Star Wars Holiday Special"? It's totally canon now, presumably right down to Princess Leia's song celebrating the Wookiees' Life Day. Hey, we're just going by what a smirking Abrams says.

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" opens Dec. 18.

(via Yahoo! Movies)