Rian Johnson Responds to Claims He Was Deterred by Star Wars Backlash

Rian Johnson has publicly dismissed the suggestion that he was rattled by the storm of criticism which followed the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. The claim, made by Kathleen Kennedy—who recently ended her lengthy run as Lucasfilm’s president—implied that Johnson had distanced himself from the franchise due to the intensity of online backlash.

In a recent interview, Kennedy reflected on the challenges faced by those working within the Star Wars universe. She remarked,

I do believe he got spooked by the online negativity. I think Rian made one of the best Star Wars movies. He's a brilliant filmmaker and he got spooked. This is the rough part. When people come into this space, I have every filmmaker and actors say to me, 'What's going to happen?' They're a little scared,

she explained, highlighting the apprehension that can come with such a high-profile project.

Johnson, however, was quick to counter this narrative. Taking to Twitter, he wrote simply:

lol zero spooked, sorry

—a brief but pointed rebuttal to Kennedy’s assessment.

Fan Reactions: Divisions Persist

The debate over The Last Jedi’s legacy shows no sign of fading, even years after its debut. The film continues to split opinion, with supporters and detractors voicing their views in equal measure. One admirer commented,

They should have given you all three films,

while another declared,

Your Star Wars was the best of the sequel trilogy. By far. Loved it very much.

Yet, not all responses were so glowing. Some users insisted Johnson had

ruined Star Wars

and claimed they were

still waiting for an apology.

Despite the ongoing row, critical reception at the time was notably positive. In one review, the film was described as

an excellent middle chapter bursting with wit, wisdom, emotion, shocks, old-fashioned derring-do, state-of-the-art tech, and stonking set-pieces.

Johnson’s Next Moves

Originally, Johnson was expected to helm a new trilogy within the Star Wars universe. However, his creative focus shifted elsewhere. He has since devoted his energies to the Knives Out series and other projects, including Poker Face. Reflecting on his current priorities, Johnson commented last year,

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.

The Franchise Continues

Meanwhile, the Star Wars saga presses on. The Mandalorian and Grogu is set to premiere on 22 May, with Star Wars: Starfighter scheduled for 2027, featuring Ryan Gosling, Matt Smith, and Mia Goth in leading roles. The galaxy far, far away remains as busy—and as fiercely debated—as ever.