To say that The Last Jedi was divisive is a colossal understatement.
Though the movie is one of the most critically-acclaimed Star Wars films, the reception amongst fans sparked a heated debate that continues to this day, with some loving it, some hating it, and many somewhere in-between. What’s more, the reaction to the film seemed to shock Disney into something of an existential crisis when it comes to the iconic franchise, something they’re still struggling to figure out.
But through all the backlash and debates, the film’s director, Rian Johnson, has remained a class act. It’s an impressive display of fortitude to remain graceful when people all over the internet pick apart something you spent so much time on, but he’s done it. And I think it shows why he’s a guy who could help the Star Wars franchise find its footing.
He revisited the topic of The Last Jedi at the Newport Beach Film Festival (h/t Gizmodo), where he was asked if the reaction to that movie is the reason he hasn’t made any other Star Wars movies. He replied:
“No, not at all. 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. I was in college when the prequels came out. Are you kidding me? The prequel wars? We had a few. I mean, everybody did. And so, the notion that Star Wars has been this kind of Shangri-La, united fandom, and that [nothing] could then split that apart [is false]. The reality is Star Wars has always been something that has meant different things to different people. And I think that’s part of the fun and the passion of it as fans, is arguing about it respectfully. I’ve talked to so many people over the years, since we made that movie, who have such deep connections to Star Wars and who have deep connections to that movie. And so 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. I came out at the other end of it loving Star Wars fandom more than I did even going into it.”
There were plans for Johnson to do another Star Wars film. After he reportedly turned down the offer to direct what become The Rise of Skywalker, Lucasfilm announced a brand new trilogy of Star Wars films that would be helmed by Johnson. But as the years have gone by those movies have faded into the background. Despite Lucasfilm and Johnson both publicly saying they’d be interested in collaborating again sometime, it doesn’t seem too likely or imminent.
But I’m convinced Johnson is exactly the director Star Wars needs as it tries to regain footing on the big screen. Here are four reasons why:
1. Johnson loves Star Wars without being sucked into the past
One of the things that comes across very clearly in any conversation with Rian Johnson is that he is a Star Wars fan. He loves this franchise. But there has been an interesting pull in recent Star Wars material to the past, to playing up the nostalgia that fans have about the original trilogy, where it becomes less about telling the best story possible and more about playing with different recognizable characters in a sandbox. There is nothing wrong with that, and as a Star Wars fan, I enjoy it too. But what this franchise needs is to keep telling those kind of stories while also telling stories that dare to be different. Stories that dare to challenge the status quo. Stories that honor the past without being held captive by it.
I think The Last Jedi modeled this well (cards on the table: I love that movie). But even for those who disliked the movie, most of it was because of how it handled Luke Skywalker. I’m convinced that giving Johnson a shot at brand new Star Wars stories, in a brand new era, without being attached to any legacy characters that fans are overly protective of, would be ideal. He is a director who understands Star Wars on a deep level, but who allows his understanding and love of the franchise to drive it forward, not stay stuck in the past.
If Star Wars is going to captivate audiences for decades to come, that’s what they’re going to need.
2. Johnson’s directing abilities are fantastic
Fortunately, Rian Johnson has received widespread acclaim and applause for his Knives Out series of films, including Academy Award nominations for his first two screenplays. The secret is out: he’s a very talented director, and a sought after commodity in Hollywood. But you can see this even in The Last Jedi. Let’s start with the cinematography. Even those who hate the movie have admitted: it is stunningly beautiful. The visuals of this film are, I would argue, the very best in the entire Star Wars franchise. Whatever you may think about the story, the movie just looks gorgeous, from start to finish. Furthermore, the script was widely praised. Now, again, you might disagree on story beats, but it is a well-written movie in a franchise that, well, isn’t known for its writing (until Andor, that is). The acting is also off the charts, with Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley both crushing their roles, and with Mark Hamill giving his very best performance as Luke Skywalker.
So what you have in The Last Jedi is a movie that cares about acting, writing, and visuals. It’s about far more than just some exciting action scenes (though it certainly has those). Johnson’s direction elevated the entire production, and it would be a good thing for the franchise to have more of a focus on these things.
3. Johnson can make a Star Wars movie without issues
Ironically, the Star Wars movie to have received the most troubled reception in the Disney era was the least troubled production. In fact, of the five movies released since Disney acquired Lucasfilm, it is only The Last Jedi that didn’t have significant challenges in the filmmaking process. From start to finish the movie was a remarkably smooth process, and it shows. There weren’t issues with script or direction or story or budget. It just got made, seamlessly. So much sot hat Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, herself one of the most respected producers in the industry, has publicly said that Johnson is one of the best directors she’s ever worked with.
Now, granted, production can be overblown, since it’s better to wind up with the best story even if there’s trouble getting there. But let’s be honest: there has been enough bad press for Lucasfilm about their struggles along the way. What they need is someone who has proven that he can manage a Star Wars movie – a significant undertaking – and do it without any issues. So far, he’s the only one who has done that in the post-George Lucas era.
4. Johnson understands Star Wars fans and isn’t scared away by it
Now we get to the quote from earlier, and think about how remarkable this is: after all the backlash for The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson can say that he has come out of it loving Star Wars and its fans more than when he started. For one, that’s because the backlash is a bit overblown, in terms of how loud it is. The internet tends to amplify the loudest voices and make them seem more numerous than they are. But Johnson’s reasoning isn’t really even about that. It’s anchored in the fact that, as a Star Wars fan, he gets us. “We love the stuff we love, we hate the stuff we hate, and we fight about it”, Johnson says. “And that’s been happening since the original trilogy.” He is so right. He knows what all this is like. And, as he mentioned, the prequels were even more divisive than The Last Jedi was. He knows. He knows that this idea that the fandom all just agreed on everything until his movie couldn’t be further from the truth.
“The reality is” Johnson said, “Star Wars has always been something that has meant different things to different people. And I think that’s part of the fun and the passion of it as fans, is arguing about it respectfully.” His comments are incredibly perceptive, accurate, and graceful. He shows an impressive understanding of the Star Wars fandom, since he himself is part of it. And he shows a rather unique humility to be able to accept that, and even embrace it, as a feature, not a bug. This is what Star Wars needs more of: directors who understand the fanbase enough to go into it with humility, yet with confidence, in making a story. He’s not under some sort of false illusion that he’s going to be able to please everyone with this story, and that means he’s not going to try. But that doesn’t mean he’s out to alienate Star Wars fans; he knows that this fanbase is wonderfully passionate, and that’s a good thing. This is what Star Wars needs more of. A director who isn’t out to upset Star Wars fans, but who also knows us well enough to know that the reaction is going to be divided no matter what.
I am convinced that Rian Johnson is the director – or at least the kind of director – that Star Wars needs moving forward. I’m not holding my breath that he’ll be returning to the franchise any time soon, but should that day happen, I’ll be among the first to celebrate it.
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