Rian Johnson Confirms His ‘Star Wars’ Trilogy Is “Effectively Dead”
Rian Johnson, the director behind Star Wars: The Last Jedi, has confirmed that his planned Star Wars trilogy will definitely not be moving forward. The filmmaker, who previously directed the acclaimed Breaking Bad episode “Ozymandias” and the divisive Last Jedi, shared details about the project in a recent interview.
Johnson explained that while the idea for a new trilogy was in motion as of 2017, it was intended to focus on new characters and explore a different era than the Skywalker saga. By May 2022, the project had been put on hold, largely due to Johnson’s commitment to other work, including the Knives Out franchise. In July, he admitted that the trilogy “never got off the ground.”
Reflecting on his time with The Last Jedi, Johnson acknowledged that the film received mixed reactions from fans.
Some criticized his portrayal of Luke Skywalker and the film’s tone, which led to a first real experience with sustained backlash for the director. “Having grown up as a Star Wars fan, I think the love and the hate are two sides of the same coin, and it’s all passion for what the thing is. That doesn’t mean it’s easy to deal with when it’s coming at you in a personal way,” he said.
Despite the trilogy being shelved, Johnson says that Star Wars will always remain a part of him. “A part of my brain will always be in Star Wars. It’s so much a part of me and the way I think,” he said. He also hinted that if the opportunity arises in the future, he would be thrilled to return to the galaxy far, far away.
It’s clear that Johnson’s Star Wars journey, while not unfolding as originally planned, has left a lasting mark on both him and the franchise. His honesty about the challenges and pressures of working on such a high-profile project gives fans insight into the complex realities behind blockbuster filmmaking.
What do you think about Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy being canceled? Do you wish he had continued with it, or are you happy with his other projects? Share your thoughts in the comments.
