Rian Johnson has never been shy about talking themes, subtext, or why The Last Jedi hit audiences the way it did. But his latest comment might be one of the most revealing things he’s ever said about the film—and it reframes The Last Jedi in a way that feels both heavier and more human. According to Johnson, there’s a “spiritual connection” between Star Wars: The Last Jedi and his upcoming Knives Out sequel, Wake Up Dead Man. And no, this isn’t about plot, genre, or cinematic Easter eggs. It’s about grief. Faith. And asking uncomfortable questions when the universe goes quiet. Star Wars, But Make It Spiritual (On Purpose) Johnson recently explained that when he wrote The Last Jedi, Star Wars wasn’t just a sci-fi sandbox—it was something closer to religion. And honestly? That tracks. Star Wars has always borrowed heavily from myth, belief systems, and spiritual ideas. The Force…
Knives Out
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. 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: What This Means…