Rian Johnson’s Reflections on His Shelved Star Wars Trilogy
Renowned director Rian Johnson, known for his polarizing take on Star Wars with The Last Jedi, opens up about the uncharted trajectory of his once-promised Star Wars trilogy—hinting at what might have been in a galaxy far, far away. Despite initial excitement and early discussions with Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy, the project never progressed beyond conceptual stages. Johnson candidly shares how his passion for creating the blockbuster whodunit Knives Out diverted him from the Star Wars realm, shedding light on the fluid nature of Hollywood storytelling. Yet, Johnson leaves the possibility open, stating a hopeful willingness to return to the Star Wars universe if the stars align, captivating readers with the endless potential of unseen stories waiting to unfold. Discover what could have redefined the saga and explore the tantalizing prospect of Johnson’s interstellar storytelling revisited.
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Quick Takeaways
- Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy never moved beyond the early planning stages.
- His commitment to Knives Out took priority and shifted his focus away from the franchise.
- Johnson says he’s still open to telling a Star Wars story in the future.
RIAN JOHNSON SHARES THOUGHTS ON HIS UNREALIZED STAR WARS TRILOGY
Early Conversations, No Concrete Plans
Director Rian Johnson, whose 2017 film The Last Jedi sparked conversation for its ambitious take on the Skywalker saga, recently spoke about the Star Wars trilogy he was once expected to direct. While initial enthusiasm followed the release of The Last Jedi, Johnson explained that the project never reached active development. He had discussions with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, but these remained at the conceptual stage—no scripts or story outlines ever materialized.
Knives Out Took Center Stage
According to Johnson, another project quickly took hold of his schedule: Knives Out. The suspenseful whodunit launched a new chapter in his career, proving to be both a critical and commercial success, eventually leading to its own expanding series. “The short version is Knives Out happened,” Johnson explained. “I went off and made Knives Out, and was off to the races, busy making murder mysteries.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the stalled Star Wars plans, Johnson hasn’t written off the idea entirely. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity and said he would still be interested in creating something new for the franchise. “If, down the line, there’s an opportunity to do it, or do something else in Star Wars, I would be thrilled,” Johnson said.
His reflections offer a glimpse into how project choices, timing, and other creative paths affect even the most high-profile cinematic properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Rian Johnson’s plan for his Star Wars trilogy?
Rian Johnson envisioned a Star Wars trilogy that introduced new characters and explored parts of the galaxy never seen before. His plan aimed to move beyond the Skywalker saga while keeping the spirit of Star Wars alive.
Why was Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy canceled?
Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy was quietly shelved due to a combination of scheduling conflicts and shifting priorities at Lucasfilm. The studio opted to focus on other projects like Disney+ series and films from different creators.
Did Rian Johnson write a script for his Star Wars trilogy?
Rian Johnson did begin developing ideas and concepts for the trilogy, but no finalized script was publicly announced. His vision was still in early development before the project was halted.
Will Rian Johnson ever return to Star Wars?
Rian Johnson has expressed interest in returning to the Star Wars universe in the future. However, no official plans are currently in place for him to work on new Star Wars projects.
What was the timeline of Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy supposed to be?
Details about the timeline were never fully revealed, but Johnson intended the trilogy to be separate from the Skywalker era. It was rumored to explore a new era or corner of the galaxy, independent of existing characters.
How did fans react to the idea of Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy?
Fan reactions were mixed—some were excited about fresh storytelling, while others were skeptical due to the divisive reception of The Last Jedi. The announcement sparked ongoing debate within the Star Wars fan community.
Filipino Translation:
So si Rian Johnson, ‘yung director ng Star Wars: The Last Jedi, nag-share recently about sa supposed trilogy niya sa Star Wars na never natuloy. After ng success (and controversy) ng Last Jedi, parang may plans na siya to make his own trilogy within the Star Wars universe. Pero ayon sa kanya, “nothing really happened with it”—as in, kahit may initial excitement at mga talks nila ni Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy, hanggang plano lang talaga lahat.
Basically, naging more of ideas lang ‘yung collab nila—walang solid na kwento o script na nabuo. Nagkausap sila, pero walang konkreto na nagmaterialize.
Ikinuwento rin ni Rian na kaya rin parang na-freeze ‘yung project is dahil he decided to focus on Knives Out. “The short version is Knives Out happened. I went off and made Knives Out, and was off to the races, busy making murder mysteries.” Alam mo na, Knives Out naging super successful, tapos may sequel pa, so nai-push niya talaga ‘yung Star Wars stuff to the side.
Para sa mga fans, nakaka-intriga lang isipin na kahit Star Wars na ‘yan, hindi pa rin guaranteed na tuloy-tuloy ang projects. Iba na rin kasi ang takbo ngayon sa Hollywood—kung saan madalas ang mas bagong ideas ang nauuna.
Pero kahit ganon, open pa rin si Rian to come back. Sabi niya, “It’s the sort of thing if, down the line, there’s an opportunity to do it, or do something else in Star Wars, I would be thrilled.” Happy naman siya sa current projects niya, pero hindi niya sinasara ‘yung door kung sakaling may chance ulit sa Star Wars.
In short, parang ngayon focus talaga siya sa murder mysteries, pero kung may opportunity in the future sa Star Wars? Game daw siya. Classic case ng balancing passion projects at big franchises—at siyempre, kung saan ang kwento.
Rian Johnson shares plan for scrapped Star Wars trilogy was first published here.
