Star Wars: The Last Jedi challenged established franchise norms by portraying Luke Skywalker as a disillusioned recluse and rejecting the notion that Rey’s importance stemmed from her ancestry. The film emphasized change within the saga, most notably when Yoda’s spirit burns the Jedi texts to teach Luke that growth requires moving beyond old teachings. Yoda tells Luke,
“We are what they grow beyond,”
followed by,
“That is the true burden of every master.”
Director Remains Open to Returning to Star Wars
Despite widespread debate and criticism following The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson has not ruled out revisiting the Star Wars universe. While promoting his new mystery film Wake Up Dead Man, starring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, Johnson revealed a persistent passion for the franchise. He stated to Empire Magazine,
“That cog will be turning the rest of my life. I love Star Wars,”
and added,
“And if some day it makes sense to come back to it, for both of us, it would be the most wonderful thing in the world.”
The Mixed Reception to The Last Jedi and Franchise Challenges
The Last Jedi faced strong backlash from some fans who criticized Johnson for transforming Luke Skywalker into a flawed character and executing daring story choices, such as Leia navigating space unaided. These controversies endured even after The Rise of Skywalker reversed many of Johnson’s ideas, though that film itself was criticized for weak narrative coherence. Throughout these challenges, Johnson and Star Wars president Kathleen Kennedy have maintained discussions about a possible trilogy led by Johnson, although no concrete opportunity has emerged.
Rian Johnson’s Projects Beyond Star Wars
Johnson has been actively developing other creative projects while waiting for a potential return to Star Wars. He directed the popular Knives Out films and created Poker Face, a mystery series featuring Natasha Lyonne as a quirky detective reminiscent of classic sleuths. Looking ahead, Johnson is preparing to direct a new sci-fi movie inspired by 1970s paranoid thrillers but distinct from the Star Wars universe. He shared with Empire,
“The most exciting thing right now is this idea I have in my head for the next thing I’m gonna make, and I think ultimately, that’s all you can do, is just kind of follow your nose.”
He also described the project as having,
“a light sci-fi element to it.”
Implications for Star Wars and Fans
For admirers of The Last Jedi, Johnson’s continued involvement in sci-fi offers hope, even if his Star Wars return remains uncertain. Conversely, dissenters of The Last Jedi might recall Yoda’s lesson that failure is the greatest teacher, suggesting Johnson could grow from past experiences. Fans can expect to see the latest Benoit Blanc mystery with Wake Up Dead Man in theaters on November 26, 2025, before it streams on Netflix starting December 12, 2025.
