Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy recently addressed questions regarding Rian Johnson’s future in the Star Wars franchise, explaining why his comeback remains unclear. She cited Johnson’s existing commitments and the challenges surrounding his involvement as key factors in the ongoing uncertainty over his Rian Johnson Star Wars return.
Behind the Pause in Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Involvement
In a detailed discussion with Deadline, Kennedy confirmed that Johnson’s return to the Star Wars universe is not guaranteed. She pointed out that since Johnson signed a deal with Netflix and began work on the Knives Out sequels, his schedule has become heavily occupied, limiting his availability for Star Wars projects. This scheduling conflict puts his future contributions on hold for now.
The Role of Online Backlash in Rian Johnson’s Hesitation
Kennedy also brought attention to the impact of negative online responses on Johnson’s enthusiasm for the franchise. She explained,
“
Once he made the Netflix deal and went off to start doing the Knives Out films, that has occupied a huge amount of his time,
”
illustrating the time constraints Johnson faces. Beyond that, she remarked,
“
I do believe he got spooked by the online negativity,
”
which affected Johnson despite his acclaimed work on the franchise.
Kennedy praised Johnson’s direction of one of the most notable Star Wars movies and acknowledged his talent, stating,
“
I think Rian made one of the best Star Wars movies. He’s a brilliant filmmaker and he got spooked.
”
She suggested that negative reactions online can intimidate filmmakers stepping into this well-known universe.
Creative Concerns about Joining the Star Wars Franchise
The Lucasfilm chief noted a wider trend of anxiety among new creatives joining Star Wars. She revealed,
“
Every filmmaker and actor says to me, ‘What’s going to happen?’ They’re a little scared.
”
This atmosphere of apprehension is particularly acute for female filmmakers and actors entering the franchise, who face disproportionate scrutiny. Kennedy said bluntly,
“
Especially with the women that come into this space… they unfairly get targeted. I don’t try to sugarcoat it.
”
To survive this pressure, Kennedy emphasized the importance of fortitude, explaining,
“
You have to develop a tough skin. That is exactly right. That’s what you have to do. You can’t make it go away.
”
She stressed that the harshness mostly comes from a vocal minority, noting,
“
I truly do not believe that it’s the majority of the fans. And I think we’re also in this weird world of where bots can affect things.
”
Challenges of Producing Star Wars Films and Future Prospects
Finally, Kennedy described the demanding nature of creating Star Wars movies, which require significant personal sacrifices from those involved. She explained,
“
These are really complicated, difficult movies to make… People have to set their lives aside for years.
”
This intense process contributes to hesitation among filmmakers like Johnson about returning.
Ultimately, Kennedy indicated that whether Rian Johnson Star Wars return materializes will depend on his willingness and availability to rejoin such a rigorous production environment, leaving the future of his involvement unresolved for now.
