Rian Johnson Still Loves Star Wars — and Says He’d Be “The Happiest Person” to Return

A Filmmaker’s Renewed Affection for the Galaxy

In a recent interview with Empire Magazine, Rian Johnson opened up about his affection for the Star Wars universe—despite stepping away from it after directing The Last Jedi. According to the talk, Johnson remarked:

“I love Star Wars. And if someday it makes sense to come back to it, for both of us, it would be the most wonderful thing in the world.”

That statement comes amid a creative moment for Johnson: he’s prepping his next project, a ’70s-style paranoid sci-fi thriller, but he clearly hasn’t shut the door on a Star Wars return.

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What’s Next for Rian Johnson

Though Johnson is currently focused on brand-new genre territory—he describes his upcoming film as “light sci-fi” with a nod to classic thrillers—he emphasizes that the Star Wars “cog” in his head remains turning.

Here is what that means in practical terms:

• No active Star Wars project announced: While he directed The Last Jedi, his much-teased new trilogy never moved past conceptual stages.
• Open to return: Even so, Johnson remains open to revisiting the galaxy, “if it makes sense.” That flexibility keeps hope alive for fans.
• Creative freedom: The new film idea he’s working on suggests Johnson is prioritizing personal vision over franchise pressures—a choice that may make a future Star Wars outing more compelling, rather than forced.

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What This Means for the Star Wars Franchise

Johnson’s continued love for the franchise offers several implications:

• Potential for future collaboration: If Lucasfilm ever circles back to Johnson with the right project and freedom, his return could inject fresh energy into the franchise.
• The unfinished trilogy looms: His cancelled trilogy (announced in 2017) remains one of the biggest “what if?” stories in Star Wars lore.
• Franchise strategy insight: Johnson’s story underscores how Lucasfilm balances creative talent, vision and corporate timing—some projects move forward, others stall.
• Fan hope remains active: For many fans, knowing Johnson hasn’t closed the door is reason to continue pushing for his return—or at least for a similarly bold Star Wars film.

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Why Fans Should Care

If you’re part of the Star Wars fandom, here’s why this matters:

• Legacy of The Last Jedi: Johnson’s contribution to the Skywalker Saga remains highly discussed and continues to influence new media.
• New storytelling possibilities: A Johnson return might explore character-driven, genre-bending Star Wars stories—something many fans have been craving.
• Hope in the pipeline: It signals that even high-profile talents haven’t completely left the Star Wars table, which is positive given the slate of upcoming films.
• Personal creative freedom: Johnson’s emphasis on doing it “if it makes sense” sets a tone for quality over quantity—a message that resonates in a fandom often concerned about overload.

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Final Thoughts

Rian Johnson’s world might be heading into new territory with his upcoming thriller, but his affection for Star Wars remains unmistakable. His statement that he’d be “the happiest person” to return if the right circumstances arise offers a spark of hope.

In a franchise filled with vast galaxies, spinoffs and new eras, knowing that one of its boldest directors still loves the universe—and might someday return—brings a little extra Force to the journey ahead.

Until then, we watch, we wait and we may just hope that one day the galaxy says: “This is the future you’re looking for.”

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