The Last Jedi Director Rian Johnson Reveals Whether Negative Reactions Killed His Star Wars Trilogy
When Star Wars: The Last Jedi hit theaters in 2017, it sparked one of the most divisive reactions in the franchise’s history. Fans either hailed it as a bold reinvention or criticized it as a betrayal of the saga’s legacy. At the center of the storm was director Rian Johnson, whose vision for Luke Skywalker, Rey, and the Force left audiences polarized. Now, years later, Johnson has opened up about whether the backlash derailed his once-plaed Star Wars trilogy—and what it means for the future of the galaxy far, far away.
This isn’t just about one film or one director. It’s a case study in how fan expectations, creative risks, and studio decisions collide in blockbuster filmmaking. Whether you loved or loathed The Last Jedi, Johnson’s recent revelations offer a rare glimpse into the pressures of helming a Star Wars project—and why his trilogy may never see the light of day.
What Happened to Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Trilogy?
In 2017, fresh off the heels of The Last Jedi, Lucasfilm aounced that Rian Johnson would develop an entirely new Star Wars trilogy—one separate from the Skywalker Saga. The news thrilled fans eager for fresh storytelling, but it also raised questions: Would this be a spiritual successor to The Last Jedi? Would it explore new corners of the Star Wars universe? Most importantly, after the mixed reception to Episode VIII, would Disney still greenlight it?
Fast-forward to 2024, and the answer appears to be no. In a candid interview with Empire Magazine, Johnson confirmed that his trilogy is no longer in active development. While he didn’t blame the backlash outright, he acknowledged that the commercial and critical reception of The Last Jedi played a role in Disney’s decision to pivot.
“It’s just the nature of these things. You pour years of work into something, and then the world reacts—sometimes loudly. That reaction becomes part of the conversation about what comes next.”
— Rian Johnson, Empire Magazine, 2024
So, did negative fan reactions kill Johnson’s trilogy? Not directly—but they certainly reshaped the landscape in which it was supposed to thrive.
Why The Last Jedi’s Reception Mattered So Much
Star Wars has always been a cultural lightning rod, but The Last Jedi became something else entirely: a Rorschach test for fandom. Some praised its subversion of expectations—Luke’s disillusioned hermitage, Rey’s parentage reveal (or lack thereof), and the film’s themes of failure and redemption. Others felt it disrespected legacy characters and strayed too far from the franchise’s tone.
Here’s why the backlash had such lasting consequences:
1. The Rise of “Fan Service” vs. Creative Risk
After The Force Awakens (2015) played it safe with nostalgia, The Last Jedi swung hard in the opposite direction. Johnson took risks—some brilliant, some controversial—but the film’s divisiveness made studios wary. Disney’s subsequent Star Wars projects (The Rise of Skywalker, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi) leaned heavier into fan service, suggesting a shift in priority from iovation to crowd-pleasing.
2. The Box Office Paradox
The Last Jedi made $1.3 billion worldwide—hardly a flop. But its domestic legs were shorter than The Force Awakens, and its audience score on Rotten Tomatoes (42%) starkly contrasted its critical score (91%). For Disney, this signaled that while the film was profitable, it wasn’t the unifying hit they wanted for a franchise built on generational appeal.
3. The “Course Correction” of The Rise of Skywalker
J.J. Abrams’ Episode IX walked back several of The Last Jedi’s choices (Rey’s lineage, Palpatine’s return, Kylo Ren’s arc). While some fans cheered, others saw it as creative whiplash. The message was clear: Star Wars films now had to balance iovation with nostalgia—a tightrope Johnson’s trilogy might have struggled to walk.
Key Takeaway: The Last Jedi didn’t fail financially, but its polarizing nature made Disney hesitant to double down on Johnson’s vision for a new trilogy.
Did the Backlash Actually Kill the Trilogy?
Johnson’s comments suggest the answer is complicated. While he doesn’t place sole blame on fan reactions, he admits they were a factor. Here’s what likely happened behind the scenes:
1. Disney’s Shifting Star Wars Strategy
After the Skywalker Saga concluded, Disney pivoted to TV shows (The Mandalorian, Ahsoka) and limited theatrical releases (Rogue Squadron was delayed; The Acolyte is a Disney+ series). A new film trilogy—especially one as ambitious as Johnson’s—may have felt like a risky investment compared to lower-stakes streaming content.
2. The “Shared Universe” Problem
Johnson’s trilogy was supposed to introduce new characters and lore, but after The Last Jedi, Disney may have worried about audience fatigue. Why launch a new saga when existing IP (Ahsoka, Andor) was performing well?
3. Creative Differences vs. Fan Pressure
Johnson has always maintained that he stands by his creative choices in The Last Jedi. However, the backlash likely made collaborations with Lucasfilm more fraught. If Disney wanted a “safer” Star Wars, Johnson—a filmmaker who thrives on subversion—might not have been the right fit.
Bottom Line: The backlash didn’t single-handedly kill the trilogy, but it contributed to a perfect storm of studio caution, shifting priorities, and creative misalignment.
What This Means for the Future of Star Wars
Johnson’s trilogy may be dead, but its ghost lingers over Star Wars’ future. Here’s how this saga could shape what comes next:
1. The End of the “Filmmaker-Driven” Era?
Star Wars once gave directors like George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, and Gareth Edwards broad creative freedom. Now, after the mixed reactions to The Last Jedi and Solo, Disney seems to prefer:
- Showruers with TV experience (Jon Favreau, Dave Filoni) over auteur filmmakers.
- Smaller-scale stories (Andor, The Acolyte) over epic trilogies.
- Data-driven decisions (e.g., The Mandalorian’s success shaping future projects).
2. The Rise of the “Legends” Approach
With films like The Acolyte exploring the High Republic era, Disney is treating Star Wars more like a multimedia anthology than a linear saga. This reduces risk—if one project flops, the franchise survives. But it also means fewer bold, unified visions like Johnson’s proposed trilogy.
3. Will Fans Ever Get Another Divisive Star Wars Film?
Probably—not in theaters. Disney’s theatrical Star Wars slate is now focused on:
- Event films (Rogue Squadron, directed by Patty Jenkins, though delayed).
- Director-proof properties (e.g., a Knights of the Old Republic adaptation with built-in fanbase).
Meanwhile, TV is the new playground for experimentation—see Andor’s gritty tone or The Acolyte’s mystery-box storytelling.
Rian Johnson’s Legacy in Star Wars
Love it or hate it, The Last Jedi is now a permanent part of Star Wars lore. Johnson’s influence can be seen in:
1. The Franchise’s Willingness to Take Risks (Sometimes)
Even if Disney pulled back after The Last Jedi, the film proved that Star Wars could still surprise audiences. Later projects like Andor and The Mandalorian Season 3 borrowed its:
- Thematic depth (failure, morality, cost of war).
- Visual ambition (e.g., the Crait battle’s striking red-and-white contrast).
2. The “Rey Nobody” Debate
Johnson’s choice to make Rey a “nobody” (before The Rise of Skywalker retcoed it) sparked endless debates about meritocracy vs. legacy in Star Wars. This theme now echoes in shows like Ahsoka, where characters grapple with destiny and lineage.
3. A Blueprint for Subversive Blockbusters
Filmmakers like Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok) and Chloé Zhao (Eternals) have cited The Last Jedi as proof that big franchises can challenge audiences. Even if Disney won’t greenlight Johnson’s trilogy, his impact on blockbuster storytelling is undeniable.
Could the Trilogy Still Happen?
Never say never in Star Wars. While Johnson’s trilogy is off the table for now, here are three ways it could resurface:
1. As a Disney+ Series
If the story was always meant to be character-driven and serialized, a limited series could work. Imagine a Star Wars version of True Detective, with Johnson writing and directing a single season.
2. As a Novel or Comic
Lucasfilm has turned canceled film ideas into books before (e.g., Darksaber, Shadows of the Empire). Johnson’s trilogy could live on as a multimedia event—novels, comics, even a game.
3. In 10 Years, as a Nostalgia Play
Star Wars has a habit of revisiting old ideas. If Disney ever wants a “Legends”-style reboot of post-Skywalker stories, Johnson’s unused scripts could be dusted off—just as Rebels revived elements from the canceled Underworld TV series.
Final Verdict: The trilogy is most likely dead, but its ideas could evolve in another form.
Lessons for Filmmakers and Fans
The saga of Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy offers key takeaways for both creators and audiences:
For Filmmakers:
- Blockbusters are a collaboration—between artists, studios, and fans. Ignore any one of those at your peril.
- Subversion has a shelf life. Audiences want surprises, but they also want emotional payoff.
- TV is the new frontier for risk-taking. If your film idea is too bold, pitch it as a series.
For Fans:
- Backlash has consequences—but so does blind praise. The healthiest fandoms engage critically without toxicity.
- Not every Star Wars story needs to be for you. The franchise is big enough for multiple tones and eras.
- Nostalgia is a drug—and Disney knows how to dose it. The more we demand “safe” stories, the fewer risks we’ll get.
Conclusion: The Force Awakens… Elsewhere
Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy may never reach the screen, but its story is a microcosm of modern blockbuster filmmaking: a clash of art, commerce, and fandom with no easy answers. The Last Jedi remains one of the most fascinating entries in the saga—not because it’s perfect, but because it dared to ask hard questions about what Star Wars could be.
As for Johnson? He’s moved on to new projects, including a third Knives Out film and a potential Pokémon detective movie. Meanwhile, Star Wars marches on, with The Acolyte, Skeleton Crew, and Rogue Squadron on the horizon.
Perhaps the real lesson is this: The best Star Wars stories—like the best art—don’t always give us what we want. They give us what we didn’t know we needed. And sometimes, that’s enough.
What Do You Think?
Were you a fan of The Last Jedi, or did it miss the mark for you? Do you think Disney made the right call canceling Johnson’s trilogy, or was it a missed opportunity? Sound off in the comments—and may the Force be with you.
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