Rian Johnson: The Last Jedi Criticism Didn't Push Me Away From Star Wars

For years, a popular narrative suggested that the divisive fan reaction to 2017's Star Wars: The Last Jedi scared director Rian Johnson away from his planned trilogy. But speaking eight years after its release, Johnson is setting the record straight, and his answer might just surprise you.

TL;DR:

• Rian Johnson unequivocally states that fan criticism of The Last Jedi did not push him away from the Star Wars universe or his planned trilogy.
• He explained his experience with the passionate (and often divided) fandom actually deepened his affection for Star Wars fans.
• While his trilogy is currently on hold, Johnson remains open to returning to Star Wars in the future after focusing on projects like his popular Knives Out series.

Rian Johnson's Surprising Revelation on Fan Feedback and His Star Wars Future

Imagine a packed film festival, a director known for pushing boundaries, and the question everyone's been whispering for nearly a decade. That's exactly what happened recently at the Newport Beach Film Festival when Rian Johnson, the visionary behind Star Wars: The Last Jedi, addressed the elephant in the room: did the intense fan criticism surrounding his 2017 film kill his chances for a future Star Wars trilogy?

His answer was a resounding "No, not at all." In fact, Johnson revealed that his overall experience with fan feedback, even the polarizing kind, was actually "the reason that I wanted to" continue working in the galaxy far, far away (Source: Star Wars Culture, X Post, November 5, 2025). This statement directly challenges a long-held belief among many fans and industry observers that the backlash had effectively ended his Star Wars journey.

A Lifelong Fan's Perspective on Passionate Debates

Johnson, a self-proclaimed "lifelong Star Wars fan," articulated a nuanced understanding of the franchise's passionate community. He emphasized that intense love and intense dislike, often leading to fervent debate, are not new phenomena in the Star Wars universe. "We love the stuff we love, we hate the stuff we hate, and we fight about it. And that's been happening since the original trilogy," he explained.

He even harked back to the "prequel wars," referencing the significant division among fans when George Lucas's prequel trilogy debuted. This historical context highlights that differing opinions are, in Johnson's view, an intrinsic part of being a Star Wars fan. It’s a universe that means "different things to different people," and for him, "arguing about it respectfully" is part of the fun (Source: SuperHeroHype, "The Last Jedi’s Rian Johnson on if Criticism Pushed Him Away From Star Wars," November 6, 2025).

"No, not at all. In fact, it's the reason that I wanted to. My overall experience with putting the movie out, and what you're talking about with fan feedback — I mean, first of all, I'm a lifelong 'Star Wars' fan. So I know the deal. I know that 'Star Wars' fans are passionate about this stuff. We love the stuff we love, we hate the stuff we hate, and we fight about it. And that's been happening since the original trilogy."

— Rian Johnson, Newport Beach Film Festival

From Critical Acclaim to Audience Division: The Last Jedi's Complex Legacy

Released in December 2017, Star Wars: The Last Jedi arrived with considerable hype as the second installment in the sequel trilogy. Critically, the film was largely lauded, achieving a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviewers praised its bold narrative choices, character development, and visual spectacle. However, the audience response was starkly different, landing at a 41% user score from over 100,000 ratings on the same platform (Source: CBR, "The Last Jedi Director Rian Johnson Reveals Whether Negative Reactions Killed His Star Wars Trilogy," November 6, 2025). This wide disparity cemented its status as one of the most polarizing films in the saga.

This split reaction led many to assume Johnson would shy away from such a demanding franchise. Yet, he states the exact opposite. He spoke of deep connections he's forged with fans over the years who loved the film. "It's been the most positive experience I've ever had with anything I've made, in terms of interacting with people who've seen it. I came out at the other end of it loving Star Wars fandom more than I did even going into it," Johnson reflected.

Navigating the Nuances: Unpacking Johnson's Statements and Their Limitations

While Johnson’s personal perspective is clear, it's important to consider the broader landscape. One limitation of his statement is that while fan criticism didn't personally push him away, it doesn't necessarily mean Lucasfilm didn't factor the divisive audience reception into their strategic decisions about future Star Wars projects, including potentially re-evaluating the timeline or creative direction for a new trilogy. Studio decisions are complex, often balancing creative vision with commercial viability and audience sentiment, which may not always align perfectly with a director's individual enthusiasm.

Another practical limitation is Johnson's own burgeoning career outside of Star Wars. He has successfully launched his highly acclaimed Knives Out murder mystery franchise, with the third installment, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, set to hit Netflix on December 12. He has openly stated, "I mean, I kind of went down the murder mystery rabbit hole – I'm focused on making other stuff." This focus on his current projects is a tangible reason why a return to the Star Wars universe might be delayed, independent of any fan feedback.

Example: The Fan Who Loves the Fights

Consider Elena, a long-time Star Wars fan who devoured every piece of lore and loved The Last Jedi precisely for its unexpected twists. She’s spent countless hours online, respectfully debating its merits and flaws with friends and strangers alike, finding joy in dissecting every frame. For Elena, Johnson’s recent comments are not just news, but validation. It confirms her belief that the Star Wars community, with all its passionate disagreements, is a vibrant, living entity. It makes her feel understood, knowing that a director she admires shares her appreciation for the vigorous discourse that defines their shared fandom, rather than being disheartened by it.

What's Next for Rian Johnson and the Star Wars Galaxy?

Despite his trilogy being on hold, Johnson hasn't closed the door on a return. He expressed, "If I get back in the Star Wars universe someday, I'd be the happiest person." For now, his focus remains on his successful murder mystery projects. Meanwhile, the Star Wars universe continues to expand, with the next theatrical release, The Mandalorian and Grogu, scheduled for next May.

Johnson's statements offer a fresh perspective on the creator-fandom dynamic, especially within a franchise as iconic and passionately debated as Star Wars. It suggests that for some creators, the intensity of fan engagement, even when critical, can be a source of motivation and connection rather than a deterrent.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Last Jedi and Rian Johnson's Trilogy

Where can I watch Star Wars: The Last Jedi?

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is currently available to stream on Disney+.

What was the critical reception of The Last Jedi?

The film received widespread critical acclaim, earning a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

What was the fan reaction to The Last Jedi?

Fan reaction was highly divided, with an audience score of 41% on Rotten Tomatoes from over 100,000 user reviews.

Is Rian Johnson still making his Star Wars trilogy?

His planned Star Wars trilogy is currently on hold, but Johnson has stated he is open to returning to the franchise in the future.

Practical Takeaways for Star Wars Fans

• Don't Assume the Worst: Johnson's love for Star Wars fandom remains strong, despite its passionate debates.
• Debate is Part of the Fun: He views respectful arguments about the films as an integral part of the Star Wars experience.
• His Trilogy Isn't Canceled, Just Delayed: Current projects like Knives Out 3 are keeping him busy, but he's open to returning to Star Wars.
• Relive the Experience: If you want to revisit The Last Jedi and form your own opinions (or refresh them), it's streaming on Disney+.

Sources:

• Star Wars Culture, X Post, November 5, 2025.
• SuperHeroHype, "The Last Jedi’s Rian Johnson on if Criticism Pushed Him Away From Star Wars," November 6, 2025.
• CBR, "The Last Jedi Director Rian Johnson Reveals Whether Negative Reactions Killed His Star Wars Trilogy," November 6, 2025.
• GamesRadar, "The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson says he's only had a great experience with the fandom despite the divisive reaction to the film," November 6, 2025.
• GeekTyrant, "Rian Johnson Says He Came Out of Making THE LAST JEDI “Loving Star Wars Fandom More Than I Did Even Going Into It”," about 4 hours ago (as of reference article date).