Rian Johnson, the director ofThe Last Jedi, has given a disappointing update about hisStar Warstrilogy, which now seems to be dead.Star Wars: The Last Jediis a highly controversial movie. Many would rank it as theworstStar Warsfilm, yet it certainly has its fans who believe it was a bold continuation of the saga.
Interestingly, though, this controversy was not anticipated by Lucasfilm. A month beforeThe Last Jediwas released in theaters, Lucasfilm confirmed that they were incredibly proud of what Rian Johnson had achieved, revealing that he had been hired to write and direct an entireStar Warstrilogy as a result.
However, this trilogy is not expected to be part of the slate ofupcomingStar Warsmovies. The reasons for this have been outlined ever since, yet Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy has reiterated that Johnson is welcome back whenever he wishes. Now, though, the filmmaker has given another update that sadly makes me think hisStar Warstrilogy is completely dead.
Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Trilogy Was Never A Solid Pitch In The First Place
The Idea Was More Conceptual
The most recent update from Rian Johnson came in a recent interview withRolling Stone.The director was asked about the planned trilogy, with Johnson admitting"nothing really happened with it.“Johnson simply reiterated what the original announcement from Lucasfilm said in 2017: the working partnership was rewarding, and both parties agreed to tell moreStar Warsstories.
Johnson insists it was only conceptual and that there were never any story outlines or treatments…
Johnson said that this led to a few ideas before he began work onKnives Out. TheKnives Outfranchise has been the main aspect cited when either Johnson or Kennedy is asked about the former’s trilogy, given that the final installment is currently being worked on for a December 2025 release.
Despite saying he would be happy to return toStar Wars, Johnson reiterates how much he is enjoying working on original ideas. To further prove hisStar Warstrilogy was never that concrete to begin with, Johnson insists it was only conceptual and that there were never any story outlines or treatments.
The Last Jedi’s Controversial Reception Seems To Have Affected Lucasfilm’s Plans
Johnson’s Trilogy May Have Been Made Otherwise
If I had to guess another reason as to why Johnson’sStar Warstrilogy never happened, it would be Lucasfilm’s plans changing afterThe Last Jedi’s controversial release. Of course, the filmmaker’s work on theKnives Outseries is likely the main reason. That said, there is no denying that Lucasfilm has attempted to course correct since 2017 and the release ofThe Last Jedi.
J.J. Abrams being rehired to work onEpisode IXis proof of this, asThe Force Awakenswas mostly liked. The story ofThe Rise of Skywalkerwas then criticized for undoing several aspects ofThe Last Jedi. For instance, the latter’s reveal that Rey was someone of no specific bloodline was retconned in favor of her being Sheev Palpatine’s granddaughter.
In fact, Palpatine being in the movie at all after his defeat inReturn of the Jediseemed more like a way to assuage audiences afterThe Last Jedikilled off Supreme Leader Snoke. For these reasons,The Rise of Skywalkerwas almost as divisive asThe Last Jedi,causing an even greater attempt to course correct.
Lucasfilm stopped developingmovies in the franchise entirely, instead shifting the focus toStar Wars' many TV shows. These shows focused on bringing back beloved characters like Ahsoka Tano, Anakin Skywalker, and Obi-Wan Kenobi, or focusing on the franchise’s New Republic timeline so as to avoid sequel connections entirely.
2026’sThe Mandalorian and Groguwill be the franchise’s return to the big screen, which will again be set in the New Republic era. All of this just proves how Lucasfilm has seemingly tried to avoid connections to the sequel trilogy, likely due to the backlash that those who disliked the three movies have directed towards the studio since 2015.
This more than likely stopped Rian Johnson’s trilogy from moving beyond the conceptual phase. Johnson himself was no stranger to online vitriol, nor were some of his cast members, like Kelly Marie Tran. Therefore, the trilogy was likely avoided to remove the possibility of even more controversy, which sadly continues to be true today.
I Can Still Dream Of Rian Johnson’s Return
The Filmmaker Would Still Like To Return To Star Wars
Although this all means that Rian Johnson’s trilogy is likely completely dead, I am still hoping for his return. I am one of those who enjoysStar Wars: The Last Jedi, and I think Johnson is an incredibly talented writer and director. Naturally, I would like to see him return toStar Warsif he were given the opportunity.
The aforementioned comments that Johnson would also be happy to return are promising. In May 2025,Johnson also toldThe Independent,“If I get back in the Star Wars universe someday, I’d be the happiest person.”
This all proves that Johnson has not been burned by the controversy directed atStar Wars: The Last Jedi. Nonetheless, it seems as though any last hope of his trilogy still happening is gone, but that will not stop me from dreaming that he could come back one day.
