Rian Johnson Dismisses Claims He Was “Spooked” Away From Star Wars
Rian Johnson, the director behind Star Wars: The Last Jedi, has directly responded to outgoing Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy’s recent assertion that he stepped away from future Star Wars projects due to being “spooked” by negative fan reaction. In a succinct message posted on X (formerly Twitter), Johnson wrote, “lol zero spooked, sorry.” [@rianjohnson]
The exchange stems from a recent Deadline interview with Kennedy, in which she discussed a range of topics related to her tenure at Lucasfilm. Regarding Johnson, Kennedy suggested that the intense backlash following The Last Jedi played a role in his decision to pursue other projects, specifically the Knives Out series for Netflix. “I think Rian made one of the best Star Wars movies. He’s a brilliant filmmaker and he got spooked,” Kennedy stated. “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.”
The Last Jedi and the Fan Reaction
Star Wars: The Last Jedi, released in 2017, remains one of the most divisive entries in the entire saga. While praised by some for it’s bold narrative choices and subversion of expectations, it drew considerable criticism from a vocal segment of the fanbase. Common complaints centered around the film’s handling of established characters, its perceived departure from core Star Wars themes, and its overall tone. This division fueled intense online debate, ranging from passionate arguments to outright harassment directed at those involved with the film, including Johnson himself.
Prior to Kennedy’s remarks, Johnson had previously addressed the challenges surrounding The Last Jedi. In a December 2025 interview with IGN, he explained that his intention with the film was to “shake the box” and challenge audience expectations, rather than play it safe. “Having grown up a star Wars fan, I know that thing where something challenges it, and I know the recoil against that,” Johnson told Polygon. “I know how there can be infighting in the world of Star Wars. But I also know that the worst sin is to handle it with kid gloves.”
Beyond the Trilogy: Other Abandoned Plans
Kennedy’s interview also revealed that Johnson wasn’t the only creative voice to have projects shelved at Lucasfilm. She disclosed that plans for a film focusing on Ben Solo (Kylo Ren), starring Adam Driver, were also abandoned . Kennedy emphasized that these projects remain possibilities if someone is willing to “take a risk,” hinting at the challenges faced when navigating creative ventures within the highly scrutinized Star Wars universe.
What’s Next for a Galaxy far, Far Away?
Despite these setbacks, Lucasfilm continues to expand the Star Wars galaxy. Currently, fans eagerly anticipate The Mandalorian and Grogu, a spinoff film from the popular Disney+ series, slated for release in 2026 . Further down the line, in 2027, Ryan Gosling will lead the standalone film Star Wars: Starfighter.
Johnson, meanwhile, remains focused on his own creative pursuits, having found critical and commercial success with the Knives Out franchise and his latest film, Wake Up Dead Man. His concise and dismissive response to Kennedy’s suggestion indicates a contentment with his current path, and a degree of detachment from the lingering controversies surrounding his contribution to the Star Wars saga.
