Rian Johnson Discusses His STAR WARS Trilogy & The Possibility Of Audiences Growing Tired Of The Franchise
Despite causing a rift among fans with The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy is still moving forward, & the director is trying to figure out how to make it fresh and separate from the saga films.
In a month Solo: A Star Wars Story will be hitting theaters, and in a year, Episode IX will arrive and conclude the sequel trilogy. Yet, in spite of these upcoming films — and the backlash around The Last Jedi — Rian Johnson’s planned Star Wars trilogy still continues to get a lot of attention.
Just recently Johnson spoke with the LA Times to discuss his trilogy, where he revealed the questions he is asking himself as he develops the story:
"It's fun because it's kind of thinking, 'Okay, outside of the Skywalker story and outside of the recognizable iconography, what is this? What is "Star Wars?"' Or what do we need to retain from that, to pull forward for it to still be 'Star Wars' — and what can we leave behind?"
Furthermore, Johnson explained why asking these questions is not only important for his trilogy but for future Star Wars films, as the answers will keep the franchise “vital and alive moving forward.”
Johnson was also asked whether he sees audiences growing tired of Star Wars films, and his answer is similar to the one given to those who wonder if superhero fatigue is approaching. “They're thinking of 'Star Wars' movies as a museum exhibit that is wheeled out once a year,” Johnson said, explaining the perspective of those who suggest audiences may grow tired of the franchise. “If 'Star Wars' are great new movies that are exciting and fresh, and that challenge you and surprise you and make you feel things and engage you the way that those original movies did — but always taking you to new places, both in the galaxy and emotionally — that's never going to get old.”
Finally, Johnson briefly commented on whether there should be more diversity behind the camera on Star Wars films. His answer was that there needs to be directors “who aren't white dudes” and that he believes Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm will work towards this goal.