Director Rian Johnson is setting the record straight regarding his future in a galaxy far, far away. He bluntly rejected claims from former Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy that toxic fan reactions scared him away from the Star Wars franchise.
Kennedy recently suggested in an exit interview that Johnson hesitated to return because of the intense online negativity surrounding his 2017 film. Johnson wasted no time correcting the narrative on social media with a casual dismissal of that idea. This exchange has reignited the conversation about how top directors handle the pressure of massive fandoms.
Johnson Fires Back at Viral Claims
The controversy started when Kathleen Kennedy sat down for a candid interview about her time leading Lucasfilm. She touched on the status of Johnson’s long-gestating Star Wars trilogy. Kennedy implied that the polarized response to The Last Jedi had a lingering effect on the director. She suggested that he, like many filmmakers, felt “spooked” by the aggressive nature of the online discourse.
Johnson saw the comments circulating on X. His response was immediate and incredibly brief.
Rian Johnson director of Star Wars The Last Jedi on red carpet
“Lol zero spooked, sorry.”
That simple four-word post shut down years of speculation. Fans immediately rallied around the director. Many pointed out that his tone was confident rather than defensive. It effectively signaled that creative choices, not fear, are dictating his career path.
The director has never been one to hide from criticism. Even during the peak of the 2017 backlash, he spent hours engaging with fans on Twitter. He debated plot points and defended his narrative choices involving Luke Skywalker. This history supports his claim that online anger does not phase him.
Why Kennedy Believed Fear Was a Factor
It is easy to understand why executives might assume a director would want to avoid the Star Wars spotlight. The release of The Last Jedi created a massive rift in the fanbase that is still felt today.
The movie took bold risks that alienated some longtime viewers.
- Luke Skywalker: Portraying the hero as a cynical hermit upset traditionalists.
- Snoke: Killing the main villain early subverted expectations but angered theory-crafters.
- Rey’s Parents: Revealing they were “nobodies” challenged the franchise’s lineage obsession.
Kennedy likely viewed the situation through the lens of studio management. She has seen multiple directors struggle with the weight of the franchise. Executives often try to protect their talent from the “toxicity” that can occur in passionate spaces.
However, interpreting Johnson’s delay as fear ignores his professional reality. He moved directly from Star Wars into creating his own cinematic universe. Assuming that silence equals fear was a misreading of the situation.
Knives Out Success Shifted Priorities
The real reason Johnson has not returned to Lucasfilm likely has nothing to do with angry tweets. It has everything to do with the massive success of Benoit Blanc.
After The Last Jedi, Johnson wrote and directed Knives Out. The whodunit became a surprise global phenomenon. It earned critical acclaim and massive box office returns. This success led to a historic deal with Netflix. The streaming giant paid hundreds of millions of dollars to secure two sequels.
Johnson is simply too busy to make a Star Wars movie right now.
| Project | Status | Impact on Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Knives Out Franchise | Active Development | High. Requires full attention for writing and directing. |
| Poker Face | TV Production | Moderate. Showrunning duties take time. |
| Star Wars Trilogy | On Hold | Low. No active script development. |
The Netflix deal gave Johnson total creative freedom. He owns the IP and does not have to answer to a massive studio committee. For a creator, that is a much more attractive proposition than returning to a franchise where every decision is scrutinized.
His schedule is booked for years. Developing a Star Wars trilogy requires at least three to five years of dedicated focus. It is a logistical issue rather than an emotional one.
Will the Director Ever Return?
Despite the current friction over Kennedy’s comments, the door remains open. Johnson has consistently stated his love for the universe George Lucas created.
In previous interviews, he expressed a desire to return when the time is right. The “new trilogy” he pitched years ago was separate from the Skywalker Saga. It would explore new characters and new corners of the galaxy. This concept still excites many fans who want fresh stories.
The main hurdle is timing.
Lucasfilm has announced several other projects in the meantime. They have movies in the works from Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni. This gives Johnson plenty of time to finish his mystery films. By the time he is free, the landscape of the franchise may look very different.
The exchange with Kennedy serves as a reminder of Johnson’s resilience. He is a filmmaker who stands by his work. Whether you loved or hated The Last Jedi, it is clear that Rian Johnson makes movies on his own terms. He will return to the galaxy only when he is ready, and not a moment sooner.
Rian Johnson has made his position crystal clear. He respects the franchise, but he refuses to be defined by the backlash it sometimes generates. His focus remains on his original projects, where he continues to find massive success. The narrative that he was chased away by fans has been officially debunked by the man himself.
