Rian Johnson Says He Expected The Last Jedi Backlash and Wanted to “Shake Up” Star Wars

Rian Johnson, the director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, has said he fully expected the film to divide fans — and believes that was the right approach for the franchise.

Speaking to Polygon, Johnson explained that he never wanted to make a Star Wars movie that played it safe. Instead, he aimed to challenge expectations, even if that meant upsetting parts of the fanbase.

“I was hoping for that — I wasn’t afraid of it,” Johnson said, referring to the movie’s polarizing reaction. “The worst sin is to be afraid of doing anything that shakes it up.”

Released in 2017, The Last Jedi became one of the most debated Star Wars films ever. Its bold story choices, shocking character moments, and new ideas around the Force earned praise from critics but also sparked intense backlash from many vocal fans online.

Johnson argued that controversy has always been part of Star Wars. He pointed to The Empire Strikes Back as an early example, noting that even now-beloved entries once angered fans by challenging where they thought the story should go.

“Every Star Wars movie going back to Empire shook the box,” he said. “They got fans angry, got them fighting, and got them talking. And for a lot of them, eventually, got them loving it.”

The filmmaker also reflected on how fan opinions change over time. He noted that George Lucas’ prequel trilogy, once heavily criticized, is now viewed far more positively by many fans. Johnson said his own childhood debates about The Phantom Menace helped him cope with the backlash to The Last Jedi.

Johnson also compared Star Wars fandom to religion while discussing his upcoming film Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Raised as a Christian, he said questioning beliefs and being challenged is part of growth — whether in faith or fandom.

“It’s only alive when it’s interacting with the world,” Johnson said, adding that discomfort can lead to deeper understanding and appreciation over time.

For now, Johnson has moved on from Star Wars. His previously announced trilogy for Lucasfilm appears to be shelved, with no plans for him to return to the galaxy far, far away.

Meanwhile, Star Wars is preparing for its return to theaters. The Mandalorian and Grogu will debut next year, marking the franchise’s first movie since 2019’s The Rise of Skywalker. Seen as a safer bet by fans, the film continues the popular Disney+ series. A standalone film, Star Wars: Starfighter, starring Ryan Gosling, is scheduled for release in 2027.