Rian Johnson Fires Back at Claims He Feared Star Wars Backlash
Director Rian Johnson has pushed back against suggestions he was rattled by the heated response to The Last Jedi, directly contradicting former Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy’s recent remarks.
Rian Johnson has publicly rejected the idea that he was intimidated by the intense reaction to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. This comes after Kathleen Kennedy, who recently ended her 14-year run as Lucasfilm president, suggested Johnson distanced himself from the franchise due to online hostility. Kennedy commented on his departure, saying,
I do believe he got spooked by the online negativity. I think Rian made one of the best Star Wars movies. He's a brilliant filmmaker and he got spooked. This is the rough part. When people come into this space, I have every filmmaker and actors say to me, 'What's going to happen?' They're a little scared,
she explained.
Johnson, however, took to Twitter to set the record straight. He responded simply,
lol zero spooked, sorry
making it clear he wasn’t fazed by the backlash.
Fan Reactions Still Divided Years Later
The debate over The Last Jedi remains as heated as ever, even years after its release. Supporters praised Johnson’s vision, with one fan writing,
They should have given you all three films,
while another added,
Your Star Wars was the best of the sequel trilogy. By far. Loved it very much.
On the flip side, critics continued to voice their disappointment, with some claiming Johnson
ruined Star Wars
and others stating they’re
still waiting for an apology.
Despite the controversy, the film received high marks from critics. In one review, it was described as
an excellent middle chapter bursting with wit, wisdom, emotion, shocks, old-fashioned derring-do, state-of-the-art tech, and stonking set-pieces.
Johnson’s Future Beyond the Galaxy
Originally, Johnson was slated to helm a new trilogy within the Star Wars universe. However, he shifted his focus to other projects, including the Knives Out series and the show Poker Face. Last year, he explained,
I mean, I kind of went down the murder mystery rabbit hole – I'm focused on making other stuff,
but left the door open for a possible return, adding,
But that wouldn't rule out it happening down the line. If I get back in the Star Wars universe someday, I'd be the happiest person.
What’s Next for Star Wars
The next chapter for the franchise arrives soon, with The Mandalorian and Grogu set to premiere on May 22. Looking further ahead, Star Wars: Starfighter is scheduled for 2027, featuring Ryan Gosling, Matt Smith, and Mia Goth in leading roles.