Rian Johnson has finally spoken out about the long-disappeared Star Wars trilogy he was supposed to helm after directing the much reviled Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi.
And his explanation? He just really, really got into directing mysteries…
Luke Skywalker Drinks Green Milk in Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi – Disney+
In a new interview with The Independent, Johnson laughed off the lack of progress on the Star Wars films that Lucasfilm once proudly announced would be his brainchild. That announcement, made in 2017 just before The Last Jedi hit theaters, teased a brand-new trilogy set in a galaxy far, far away—unrelated to the Skywalker saga and helmed by Johnson himself.
Now, years later, with no script, no cast, no production timeline, and no official cancellation, Johnson says the reason it hasn’t happened is simple: his 2019 film Knives Out.
“What happened? Knives Out!” Rian Johnson said cheerfully when asked about his trilogy. “I mean, I kind of went down the murder mystery rabbit hole – I’m focused on making other stuff. 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.”
Sure, Rian. And Jar Jar was a Sith Lord…
Daisy Ridley as Rey in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), Lucasfilm
Let’s be honest. Johnson didn’t walk away from Star Wars because he was busy writing quirky dialogue for Benoit Blanc in a movie that came out six years ago. He walked away—or was quietly walked out—because The Last Jedi split the fanbase down the middle like a lightsaber through a tauntaun.
His film may have been praised in certain critic circles for “subverting expectations,” but among the actual Star Wars fanbase, it’s widely regarded as the most divisive—and in many circles, the most destructive—entry in the entire saga. From reducing Luke Skywalker to a grumpy hermit who milks alien sea cows, to tossing aside Snoke without explanation, to turning Poe into a reckless insubordinate, Johnson’s choices weren’t just controversial—they were radioactive.
Finn battles Captain Phasma in Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi – Disney+
The fan backlash was swift, loud, and enduring. Social media lit up with campaigns to remake the film, petitions to strike it from canon, and widespread disdain that still lingers seven years later. Johnson’s name became mud among large swaths of the franchise’s most loyal supporters. But you wouldn’t know that from the way he tells it.
“I feel like I’ve had such a wonderful, lovely, positive experience with the fans during the course of it,” he told The Independent, adding that it made him an even bigger Star Wars fan than before. That sound you hear? It’s the collective groan of the fanbase who remember just how far The Last Jedi derailed the sequel trilogy’s momentum.
Daisy Ridley as Rey in The Last Jedi (2017), Lucasfilm
Johnson even compared the fan wars over The Last Jedi to world wars—literally. “That [the prequels] was World War I, and this [The Last Jedi] was World War II,” he said. Which would make Disney’s damage control efforts the Marshall Plan, apparently.
What makes his comments even more baffling is how Lucasfilm has treated the whole situation. Johnson’s trilogy hasn’t been officially canceled, but it hasn’t been mentioned in any recent Star Wars roadmap either. Not at Celebration, not at D23, not in investor meetings. It’s been ghosted harder than a bad Tinder date.
Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico kisses Finn, played by John Boyega in Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi – Disney+
Kathleen Kennedy once claimed they were “waiting on his schedule.” That schedule, apparently, is booked solid with southern-fried detectives and Netflix deals.
So now we’re left with this: a man who detonated the central arc of the Skywalker saga casually tossing out a line about how he “might” return to Star Wars one day, if the mood strikes him. As if the whole fanbase is just waiting with open arms.
Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker contemplates murdering his nephew Ben Solo in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), Lucasfilm
It’s almost impressive, really. Only Rian Johnson could burn down the house, then act surprised when no one invites him back to dinner.
Do you think the Rian Johnson Star Wars trilogy will ever happen? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
