Before “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” hit theaters, fans were in a frenzy, but in the best possible way. The trailers for the film looked incredible. The early word from people “in the know” was that this was going to be one of the greatest ‘Star Wars’ films yet. And Kathleen Kennedy was so hyped on filmmaker Rian Johnson’s take on the series that she signed him up for his own trilogy of ‘Star Wars’ films. Then ‘The Last Jedi’ hit theaters, and while it’s made a ton of money at the box office, sentiment around the film is mixed, at best.
So, now the concern on ‘Star Wars’ fans’ minds is around this upcoming new trilogy from Johnson. The fans who loved ‘The Last Jedi’ hope to see the same unique take on the franchise. While the detractors hope that Johnson has learned his lesson and will make a film that they want to see. Sorry, ‘The Last Jedi’ haters, it looks like Rian Johnson is going to do his own thing.
In an interview with Fandango at SXSW, Rian Johnson sat down and discussed if his new ‘Star Wars’ films would change, in light of the fan reception of ‘The Last Jedi.
“I feel like every ‘Star Wars’ thing that ever gets made has a big, loud response, because ‘Star Wars’ fans are passionate, and that’s what makes them awesome,” he said. “I don’t think it’s possible when you’re really telling a story you care about, and having it come from your heart — it’s just not possible to be intellectually processing, like, what everyone else wants, nor would it be a good thing, a healthy thing. I don’t think that’s a good way to tell a story.”
No matter your thoughts on Johnson, as a filmmaker, you can’t deny he has a point here. Do we really want a film from a creator that bends to the wishes of his loudest critics? Or would you rather have a creator with his own take on the project deliver something he’s proud of?
It’s clearly way too early to tell what Rian Johnson’s next foray into the ‘Star Wars’ universe will look like. However, for many ‘Star Wars’ fans, they’re going to enter the film with a lot more skepticism.
