On November 9, 2017, Lucasfilm revealed that The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson would be spearheading a brand-new Star Wars trilogy. However, as time marches on and Johnson’s occasional updates grow increasingly noncommittal, the chances of this ambitious project ever materializing seem to be fading into uncertainty.
Case in point, Johnson was recently interviewed by The Independent who asked about the status of the ambitious project.
Johnson replied, "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.”
So, it's a question of "if," not "when."
The Last Jedi stands as perhaps the most hotly debated installment in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, sharply dividing both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
While it was met with largely favorable reviews from professional critics, audience reactions told a different story—its Rotten Tomatoes audience score reflected a much more polarized reception.
Director Rian Johnson took the narrative in unexpected directions, intentionally defying many of the setups from The Force Awakens. His depiction of Luke Skywalker as a disillusioned recluse, the revelation that Rey's lineage was essentially meaningless, and the inclusion of the controversial Canto Bight subplot—all sparked intense debate. For some, these choices were daring and refreshing; for others, they struck a dissonant chord with the saga’s legacy.
Announced to great excitement shortly before The Last Jedi hit theaters ini 2017, Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy promised a bold new direction for the franchise.
However, despite the early buzz, post-Last Jedi release, Lucasfilm never revealed much in the way of specific plot details.
What has been made clear, through initial press statements and later remarks by both Johnson and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, is that Rian's trilogy was intended to break new ground. It would tell an original story, entirely detached from the Skywalker saga, set in an unexplored region of the Star Wars galaxy that had yet to be touched by existing lore.
However, Kathleen Kennedy admitted back in 2022 that Johnson was moving on from the Star Wars universe, stating, "Rian has been unbelievably busy with Knives Out and the deal that he made at Netflix for multiple movies."
In regards to his experience making The Last Jedi, Johnson previously stated, "I feel like, for better or for worse, I had my chance at the plate. I swung. I was very lucky to get to do [that] [and thanks to] the people at Disney and Lucasfilm and Kathleen Kennedy [for] protect[ing] the creative process so that we could really go in and I could really do what I wanted," Johnson continued. "That's one thing I don't feel any regrets about or anything like that."
Although Rian Johnson has expressed no regrets about his time in the Star Wars universe, the intense backlash from parts of the fanbase, coupled with his ongoing creative partnership with Netflix, most notably on the Knives Out series, makes it increasingly unlikely that he’ll return to the galaxy far, far away anytime soon.
The aftermath of The Last Jedi appears to have left a lasting impact, and for now, Johnson seems content to focus his energy on projects outside the Star Wars realm.