‘The Last Jedi’ Director Rian Johnson Clocks the ‘Star Wars’ Franchise’s “Worst Sin”

by

It’s been eight years since Star Wars: The Last Jedi came out, and director Rian Johnson is now sharing his thoughts on what he considers the biggest mistake a Star Wars film can make. Following the release of his new mystery film, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Johnson also explained how the themes in his Star Wars work connect to the Knives Out series.

In a recent interview with Polygon, writer Steve Johnson, who was raised Christian and is a longtime Star Wars enthusiast, explored the parallels between how his comic Wake Up Dead Man examines faith and how The Last Jedi questions the nature of The Force. Johnson noted that Star Wars often feels like a religion to those who grew up with it—a common observation—and that this connection can be a powerful storytelling tool. He believes Star Wars represents a foundational myth for many, deeply ingrained from childhood.

Continuing the discussion about how Star Wars handles its stories, director Rian Johnson explains what he sees as the biggest mistake the franchise could make: playing it safe. He points out that every Star Wars film since The Empire Strikes Back has initially faced some backlash from fans, but eventually became part of the accepted story. Johnson stated:

As someone who practically lived in the Star Wars galaxy as a kid, I’m very familiar with how fans react to anything that dares to challenge the established order – and the backlash that often follows. Believe me, I’ve seen the infighting! But what I think is really unforgivable is treating Star Wars with too much reverence. The best Star Wars films – going all the way back to ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ – weren’t afraid to shake things up, to make fans mad, to spark debate. That initial anger? It often led to a deeper appreciation and, ultimately, love for the story. It’s that willingness to take risks that truly makes Star Wars special.

The ‘Star Wars’ Fandom Doesn’t Always Do Well With Change


Disney

Rian Johnson is right – Star Wars fans often initially dislike new aspects of the franchise, only to grow to love them later. For example, the Ewoks from Return of the Jedi were originally criticized as being just a marketing ploy for toys, but many fans now adore them (though not Denis Villeneuve!). Similarly, fans complained about the politics in the prequel films, but then criticized The Force Awakens for not including enough political discussion. When Ahsoka Tano was introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, many fans disliked her and felt she changed Star Wars for the worse. However, almost twenty years later, she’s become a hugely popular character, and many of her initial critics are now among her biggest supporters.

Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi is widely considered the most divisive Star Wars film in recent years. While the 2017 film was a commercial and critical success, certain choices – like portraying Luke Skywalker as disillusioned and revealing Rey’s unknown parentage – upset many fans. This led to accusations that The Rise of Skywalker tried to correct these choices and satisfy those who were unhappy. Ultimately, The Rise of Skywalker played it too safe, resulting in a film that failed to please anyone.

It often feels like Disney and Lucasfilm are sticking to what’s familiar with Star Wars. Their first movie in seven years, The Mandalorian & Grogu, will be based on their popular TV show. They turned down an idea from Adam Driver and Steven Soderbergh for a film called The Hunt for Ben Solo. However, when they have taken risks, it’s worked out well. For example, the series Andor offered a more mature and realistic story, and it’s been hailed as one of the best TV shows of 2025 and one of the greatest Star Wars stories ever told.

Read More

2025-12-15 22:18