Back in 2017 amidst the hype and anticipation for the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Lucasfilm capitalised on the momentum and announced a trilogy of films from The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson which would be separate from the Skywalker saga. However five years has passed and there’s been no real update on the project since, just both parties claiming it’s still happening and a bevy of unconfirmed internet rumours that the trilogy had been canned. However, after years of silence, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy confirmed what we all expected, the trilogy is on the back burner.
During an interview with Vanity Fair, Kennedy was asked about Lucasfilm’s slate of films including those from Taika Waititi, Kevin Feige, and Patty Jenkins which she provided updates on which you can read here, and added that Johnson’s trilogy was on the back burner for now with the reason being, “Rian has been unbelievably busy with Knives Out and the deal that he made at Netflix for multiple movies.”
It’s true Johnson has been busy since the release of The Last Jedi which received critical acclaim, and sent a divide through the Star Wars fandom, but post Jedi Johnson released the critically acclaimed Knives Out which garnered major success, so much so that he signed a lucrative deal with Netflix which will now see Knives Out turn into a franchise with two additional films announced, the first of which releases later this year. Johnson is also developing a series, Poker Face, for Peackock alongside Natasha Lyonne.
Rian Johnson clearly doesn’t need Star Wars, and Star Wars at this moment doesn’t need Johnson. After five years of his trilogy being on the back burner, and Star Wars films dated until 2027, ten years after his trilogy was first announced, Lucasfilm and Johnson should announce the parting of ways.
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