On January 26, 2026, Rian Johnson confirmed that he would feel blessed to direct another Star Wars movie, revealing his eagerness to continue his involvement in the franchise. Known for directing the 2017 hit Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Johnson shared that his admiration for the Star Wars universe has only grown since his initial experience.
Clarifying Comments About Online Fan Reactions
Johnson’s potential return had been questioned following remarks from former Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy, who suggested the director was hesitant to come back due to negative responses from online fans. However, Johnson denied being intimidated by the criticism and emphasized his excitement about future opportunities within the Star Wars saga.
Reflections from Sundance Film Festival Appearance
Speaking at the Variety Studio during the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, Johnson reflected on his time working on The Last Jedi. He said,
I had the time of my life doing it [The Last Jedi]. I am now an even bigger Star Wars fan than I was when going into it. I would feel blessed if that were to ever happen [again].
This statement reinforced his enthusiasm and readiness to return to the franchise.
Thoughts on Kathleen Kennedy’s Departure and Franchise Future
Johnson also addressed Kennedy’s recent exit from Lucasfilm, expressing his fondness for her and curiosity about her next projects. He remarked,
I love Kathy. I am excited now to see what she does next.
Moreover, he voiced hope for fresh creative voices joining Star Wars, stating,
As a Star Wars fan, the most exciting thing for me is always seeing when they bring in fresh voices and fresh filmmakers to come in and tell new stories in that world. That’s what I am looking forward to seeing more happen.
Challenges Affecting Johnson’s Return to the Franchise
According to Kennedy, the main hurdle for Johnson’s Star Wars return has been his busy schedule, especially his work on the Knives Out franchise and other projects. She told Deadline that his commitments to Netflix and his other films left him with little time to focus on Star Wars. 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.
Addressing the ‘Spooked’ Narrative
Kennedy also noted the fear many filmmakers feel when entering the Star Wars universe because of its passionate fanbase. She added,
That’s the other thing that happens here. After Shawn [Levy] and I started talking about Star Wars, Stranger Things kicks in and he was completely consumed for a while by that. That’s what happened with Rian.
She continued,
I do believe he got spooked by the online negativity. I think Rian made one of the best Star Wars movies. He’s a brilliant filmmaker and he got spooked.
And,
This is the rough part. When people come into this space, I have every filmmaker and actors say to me: ‘What’s going to happen?’ They’re a little scared.
Despite this, Johnson took to X (formerly Twitter) to dismiss being intimidated by fan backlash, stating simply: LOL zero spooked, sorry.
Future Prospects for Johnson and Star Wars
Rian Johnson’s affirmation of his passion for Star Wars and interest in returning holds significant promise for the franchise’s future. His experience, combined with his desire to explore new stories, suggests that fresh installments could be shaped by his vision. With Kathleen Kennedy’s departure and the arrival of new creatives, Star Wars appears poised for a dynamic phase of storytelling that may include Johnson’s renewed leadership.
