Rian Johnson, the filmmaker behind the divisive Star Wars entry, The Last Jedi, spoke openly about the strong reactions the 2017 movie received. Eight years after its release, Johnson addressed whether the intense criticism he faced influenced his involvement with the Star Wars franchise and revealed his true feelings about fan feedback during an interview at the Newport Beach Film Festival.
Although Johnson was hired to create a new Star Wars trilogy following The Last Jedi, he has not collaborated with Lucasfilm since. This led to questions about whether the fan backlash caused him to distance himself from the Star Wars universe. Johnson firmly denied that notion, explaining how the passionate response actually motivated him further.
Insights into Fan Divisions and Creative Motivation
Johnson emphasized that being a lifelong Star Wars fan gave him an understanding of the passionate debates within the fandom. He noted that strong opinions have always existed, extending back to the original trilogy and continuing through the prequels, which also split audiences. The filmmaker conveyed that this division among fans reflects the deep connections people have with Star Wars.
“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, Writer/Director
He further added,
“The reality is Star Wars has always been something that has meant different things to different people,”
Johnson said.
“And I think that’s part of the fun and the passion of it as fans, is arguing about it respectfully.”
Johnson’s Take on Fandom and His Lasting Connection
Despite the divide among fans—ranging from enthusiastic praise to harsh criticism—Johnson expressed gratitude for the experience of making The Last Jedi. He described his interaction with the audience as the most positive he has had for any of his projects and shared that it strengthened his appreciation for Star Wars fandom overall.
“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,”
Johnson remarked.
“I came out at the other end of it loving Star Wars fandom more than I did even going into it.”
The Last Jedi remains available for streaming on Disney+, continuing to reach new audiences and provoke engaging discussions among fans.
The Ongoing Significance of Star Wars Fandom Discourse
Johnson’s reflections illustrate how the Star Wars community’s passionate debates have been a constant throughout the franchise’s history, shaping how creators engage with the material. His experience shows that even divisive responses can deepen a filmmaker’s connection to the story and its fanbase. The future of Johnson’s involvement with Star Wars remains uncertain, but his comments highlight how criticism did not deter him, instead fueling his creative drive.
Writer/Director @rianjohnson Discusses #StarWars: #TheLastJedi At The Newport Beach Film Festival 🎬 pic.twitter.com/MvJX46xpFl
— Star Wars Culture (@SWCultureLive) November 5, 2025
