Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Trilogy: Seven Years Later, Still a Mystery

Seven years ago today, the Star Wars galaxy expanded, at least theoretically, when Lucasfilm announced Rian Johnson would helm an all-new Star Wars trilogy. If you’re scratching your head and wondering, “Wait, what happened to that?” — congratulations, you’re not alone. In a galaxy filled with Mandalorian spin-offs, Andor’s brooding greatness, and endless chatter about Baby Yoda, Rian Johnson’s trilogy remains the biggest “will-they-won’t-they” story since Ross and Rachel on Friends. So, what’s the deal?

Grab your lightsabers, and let’s journey through the saga of hope, confusion, and endless speculation.

The Big Announcement: A New Trilogy Awaits!

Back in 2017, fresh off the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Lucasfilm dropped the mic (and subsequently tripped on it) by announcing that Rian Johnson would create a brand-new Star Wars trilogy. Fans were promised fresh characters, stories untethered from the Skywalker saga, and, presumably, fewer lightsaber-throwing controversies.

At the time, Johnson seemed like the Jedi Master of bold storytelling — love it or hate it, The Last Jedi certainly sparked debate. So, naturally, everyone speculated wildly about what his trilogy could entail: New Sith Lords? A deep dive into ancient Jedi lore? Gungan politics? Okay, maybe not the last one (thank the Force).

Fan Reactions: Hope, Skepticism, and Memes

Predictably, reactions to the announcement were more divided than the Jedi Council on a good day. Some fans were excited about new horizons, while others questioned the direction after The Last Jedi. And, because this is the Star Wars fandom, the memes were endless. One popular sentiment: “Will this trilogy come before or after George Lucas’s rumored sequel trilogy that may or may not have involved microscopic space frogs?” (I may have made up the frogs, but you get the point.)

So…Where Did It Go?

Seven years on, we’ve gotten…silence. Not complete silence, mind you — more like a few murmurs and whispers heard through the Force. But, essentially, Rian Johnson’s trilogy exists in the same limbo as all those Force ghosts who randomly appear when things get serious.

What Happened? Theories Abound

1. The Overcrowded Slate
Between The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Andor, and whatever else is cooking in Lucasfilm’s kitchen, the Star Wars content conveyor belt hasn’t stopped. Add to that films like Rogue Squadron (which, too, seems to be in a holding pattern) and Taika Waititi’s upcoming project, and you can see how the Lucasfilm calendar might have become as confusing as a Hutt family reunion.

2. The Last Jedi Backlash
There’s no avoiding it: The Last Jedi was divisive. Some argue that Lucasfilm may have cooled on giving Johnson another trilogy in light of polarized fan reactions. Others, however, maintain that Kathleen Kennedy and the Lucasfilm brass were still on board, but wanted to let the dust settle.

3. Johnson’s Busy Schedule
Rian Johnson has been a busy man. Between his Knives Out series (hello, Benoit Blanc!) and other projects, one could argue he’s had little time to focus on exploring a galaxy far, far away. “Sorry, can’t make space for Star Wars. Detective Blanc is deducing stuff,” seems plausible, right?

The Latest Status Update (Or Lack Thereof)

Every once in a while, Rian Johnson will pop up in interviews and confirm he’s “still talking to Lucasfilm” about the trilogy. You know the drill: vague hints, careful language, and the kind of optimism that makes you wonder if the trilogy will just spontaneously appear one day like a wild Porg.

Fans have taken to asking him directly on social media, usually with a mix of hope, snark, and a good amount of skepticism. His responses? Coy smiles, the occasional “it’s still in the works,” and sometimes nothing at all. Perhaps he’s channeling his inner Jedi and meditating on it.

The Hope for New Star Wars Stories

While Johnson’s trilogy remains an enigma, it highlights an important question: What do we want from Star Wars? The galaxy has endless possibilities, and the idea of a trilogy that goes beyond familiar faces and planets is thrilling. New characters, fresh settings, and stories that don’t need to reference someone named “Skywalker” every ten minutes? Sign us up.

But is Lucasfilm ready to take that leap, or are they waiting until the fandom achieves balance (a.k.a. stops arguing about Ewoks)?

How Fans Feel Today

If you scroll through Reddit, Twitter, or any Star Wars fan community, reactions to the Rian Johnson trilogy are as varied as the planets in the galaxy. There’s nostalgia, intrigue, doubt, and — most of all — a whole lot of memes. One popular take: “By the time it comes out, it’ll be directed by droids.” Harsh? Maybe. But hey, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Conclusion: A Galaxy of Possibilities

Seven years later, Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy remains a promise, a curiosity, and, perhaps, a lesson in patience. Will it ever happen? No one knows for sure. But in true Star Wars fashion, hope is the last thing to die (unless you’re a Jedi Master, then maybe it’s a tragic monologue).

Until then, we’ll keep speculating, theorizing, and enjoying every other corner of the galaxy that Lucasfilm throws our way. Because whether Johnson’s trilogy finally materializes or becomes a legend whispered about in cantinas, the journey has already been…quite the ride.

May the Force (and hopefully more clarity) be with us all.

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