Rian Johnson, the director known for The Last Jedi, recently opened up about his changing views on the Star Wars prequel trilogy. While he initially disliked George Lucas’ prequel films when they were released between 1999 and 2005, Johnson now appreciates their thematic depth and technical innovation. His insights were shared in a Rolling Stone interview published on Saturday, where he also addressed reactions to his own Star Wars installment and commented on J.J. Abrams’ concluding chapter, The Rise of Skywalker.
Understanding the Backlash to His Own Star Wars Film
Johnson discussed the mixed responses his film The Last Jedi received from fans. He acknowledged the emotional toll of facing online criticism, saying the negativity felt difficult given the dedication he invested in the project.
In the moment, it’s a complicated chain of reactions to it,
Johnson said.
It never feels good to have anybody coming after you on the internet, and especially coming after you saying things that I think I very much do not agree with about a thing I made and put a lot of heart and soul into.
Despite the harshness, Johnson said that growing up as a fan himself helped him contextualize such backlash. He compared the fandom’s divisions to childhood arguments, offering a perspective that the disagreement was part of a long-standing tradition within the community.
At the same time, having grown up a Star Wars fan ultimately let me contextualize it and feel at peace with it in many different ways,
he explained.
Just remembering, going back on one level to arguing on the playground about Star Wars as a kid.
Initial Hostility Toward the Prequel Trilogy
Johnson recalled that during the prequels’ original release, he and his friends were among the harshest critics. As a college student at the time, he described the group as “Prequel Hate Central” due to widespread dissatisfaction with the films.
I was in college when the prequels came out,
he said.
My friends and I were Prequel Hate Central. Everyone was ruthless at the time.
However, Johnson noted that viewpoints have shifted considerably over time. The prequel trilogy is now more warmly regarded by many fans, signaling how Star Wars enthusiasm can evolve. He emphasized that this shift is not a superficial trend but a normal part of fandom dynamics, where new entries often face initial resistance before gaining appreciation.
I’m not saying that as a facile, ‘Oh, things will flip around in 20 years, you’ll see!’ It’s more that this push and pull, and this hatred to stuff that seems new, this is all part of being a Star Wars fan. Culture-war garbage aside, I think that essential part of it is a healthy part.
Praise for the Prequels’ Artistic and Technical Merits
Johnson has expressed admiration for the prequel trilogy’s ambitions beyond simple nostalgia. Highlighting its narrative themes and groundbreaking filmmaking, he framed George Lucas’ work as a complex and significant cinematic achievement. On social media in 2020, Johnson wrote about the prequels’ exploration of entitlement and moral decay while noting the era’s technical innovations.
Lucas made a gorgeous seven-hour-long movie for children about how entitlement and fear of loss turns good people into fascists, and did it while spearheading nearly every technical sea change in modern filmmaking of the past 30 years,
he stated.
Thoughts on J.J. Abrams’ Final Star Wars Installment
Johnson also addressed The Rise of Skywalker, which many fans viewed as a response to his own The Last Jedi. He said he enjoyed Abrams’ film and saw it as a continuation rather than a rejection of ideas. Johnson described Abrams’ approach as taking earlier stories and evolving them to maintain forward momentum rather than undoing them.
When I saw the movie, I had a great time watching it,
he admitted.
In my perspective, J.J. did the same thing with the third that I did with the second, which is not digging it up and undoing — just telling the story the way that was most compelling going forward. That means not just validating what came before, but recontextualizing it and evolving and changing as the story moves forward.
Furthermore, Johnson clarified his position on any supposed resentment, emphasizing the camaraderie involved in the making of the trilogy’s final chapter.
I didn’t feel resentful in some way. But you’re talking about a movie made by my friends, with my friends in it. I sit down to watch a movie, and it’s a Star Wars movie. It’s all stuff I love. I’m not the one to come to for a hard-hitting critique. You can go to YouTube for that.
The Role of Fandom Dynamics and Legacy
Overall, Johnson’s reflections reveal a nuanced understanding of the complex emotions tied to the Star Wars saga, both as an insider and as a lifelong fan. His journey from prequel skeptic to admirer reflects broader fandom trends that highlight shifting tastes over time. As the franchise continues to expand, his insights underscore the delicate balance between honoring past stories and evolving the narrative to captivate new audiences.
With Johnson’s experience bridging multiple eras of Star Wars, his evolving perspective on the prequels enriches the ongoing conversation about the franchise’s legacy and future direction.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Rian Johnson direct Star Wars episode 8?
A. After Rian Johnson released his third movie, Looper, he met with Kathleen Kennedy, the new president of Lucasfilm. During a second meeting, she offered him the chance to direct Episode VIII of the Star Wars sequel series.
