Filmmaker Rian Johnson is looking ahead with optimism for the future of Star Wars, expressing excitement about fresh creative voices entering the galaxy far, far away following Kathleen Kennedy’s departure from Lucasfilm leadership. Johnson, who directed Star Wars: The Last Jedi, shared his perspective in a recent interview, focusing on what he sees as the most thrilling possibility in the post-Kennedy era: new storytellers and new stories. “Fresh voices” driving the future of Star Wars “As a Star Wars fan,” Johnson said, “the most exciting thing for me is always seeing when they bring in fresh voices and fresh filmmakers to come in and tell new stories in that world. That’s what I am looking forward to seeing more happen.” His comments emphasize a creative approach that values diversity of perspective over repetition of familiar formulas — a sentiment shared by many within the industry as leadership at Lucasfilm transitions….
Rian Johnson
Nia DaCosta Calls The Last Jedi “Amazing” — and Defends the Holdo Maneuver
Every few months, the Star Wars fandom gets pulled back into the gravitational field of The Last Jedi discourse. Not because anyone asked for it. But because The Last Jedi refuses to stay quiet. This time, the spark comes from director Nia DaCosta (28 Years Later: The Bone Temple), who didn’t just praise the film — she went full confidence mode: “We need to take a breath, because the movie’s great. The Holdo Maneuver is great – I don’t care… Poe should’ve shut his mouth and taken orders.” And honestly? That’s one of the most refreshingly blunt Last Jedi takes we’ve heard in a while. “We Need to Take a Breath” — A Rare Calm Take in a Chaotic Debate DaCosta isn’t coming in like a Star Wars YouTuber trying to win points. She’s coming in like a filmmaker watching other filmmakers work. And her message is basically: Can we…
Kathleen Kennedy Looks Back on The Last Jedi Nine Years Later: “One of the Best Star Wars Movies”
Nine years after The Last Jedi hit theaters and permanently split the Star Wars fandom into factions, Kathleen Kennedy isn’t backing away from it. In a new Deadline exit interview, the outgoing Lucasfilm president not only praises Rian Johnson’s film — she calls it one of the best Star Wars movies — but also suggests the online backlash left a lasting impact on Johnson’s future in the franchise. Why this matters now This isn’t just “old Star Wars drama” being rehashed. Kennedy is stepping away from Lucasfilm leadership, and these interviews are essentially her final on-the-record reflections on the modern Star Wars era — including the moments that shaped it, and the projects that changed the studio’s relationship with fans. And no movie defines that tension more than The Last Jedi. What Kathleen Kennedy said about The Last Jedi Kennedy didn’t hedge her opinion. She directly praised Rian Johnson’s work:…
Rian Johnson Says The Last Jedi and Wake Up Dead Man Are Spiritually Connected — And Suddenly Everything Clicks
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…
Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Trilogy Is “Effectively Dead,” Says The Hollywood Reporter
It’s the end of a long-running Star Wars mystery:Director Rian Johnson’s planned Star Wars trilogy — announced all the way back in 2017 — is now “effectively dead,” according to The Hollywood Reporter’s new profile on the filmmaker. While Johnson is currently busy celebrating the premiere of his new film Wake Up Dead Man, the article finally gives us a clear update on the trilogy many fans assumed had quietly vanished into hyperspace. Now, we have confirmation: it’s not happening. And maybe never really was. From The Last Jedi to “What Could Have Been” Johnson’s relationship with Star Wars began with The Last Jedi (2017), one of the most talked-about and debated films in the franchise’s history. THR notes that Johnson created TLJ in what he describes as a “beautiful, fearless little bubble,” focused entirely on the creative work and not the outside noise. That noise, of course, arrived later…
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…
Rian Johnson: From Jedi Battles to Knives Out Clues
There’s surviving a Star Wars fan war—and then there’s thriving through it while writing your next hit murder mystery in a bathrobe. Rian Johnson, the director who divided the galaxy with The Last Jedi, sat down with The Independent and, as always, brought his blend of intellect, charm, and just enough self-deprecating humor to remind us why he’s still one of the most interesting creatives in Hollywood. In case you missed it: yes, Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy is still technically in development. No, there are no confirmed release dates. And yes, he still very much cares about the franchise, even if portions of the internet continue to wield pitchforks over Luke Skywalker’s moody hermit phase. Star Wars: The Great Fan War (Episode ∞) Let’s address the nerf-herder in the room: The Last Jedi. Johnson, ever the diplomat, likens the franchise’s heated history to actual world wars. “We experienced our own,”…