Harrison Ford had ''a fire in his eyes'' after injuring himself while filming 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'.

The 72-year-old actor - who reprises the role of Han Solo in the much-anticipated new movie, which is set for release in December - fractured a bone in his left leg during filming and according to director J.J. Abrams, the accident ignited Harrison and united the film's crew.

Reflecting on Harrison's injury and subsequent performance, the director shared: ''In a weird way, it was the greatest gift to the movie that, once it was clear Harrison would be OK, the way that the crew came together.

''I've never seen a crew bonded like that.

''And when Harrison came back, when I say he came back better and stronger than ever, I can't overstate that. There was a fire in his eyes that you see in the movie.''

J.J. also said the Oscar-nominated star ''was excited to get back in those shoes again, which was really interesting because I thought he hadn't been a fan. I kept hearing those rumours when I was a kid.''

But J.J. also admitted he was ''terrified'' by the prospect of directing the Hollywood legend.

He told the June issue of Vanity Fair magazine: ''It wasn't just about directing one of the great actors in film history.

''It was about directing one of the great actors in film history playing a character that was certainly one of his two defining characters.''

'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' features new lead characters Finn, Rey, and Poe Dameron alongside returning characters, played by the likes of Harrison, Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker).