Is Rian Johnson Directing The Rise of Skywalker After The Last Jedi?

Star Wars fans, rejoice! Rian Johnson, the mastermind behind “The Last Jedi,” is setting the record straight about rumors surrounding his potential involvement in “The Rise of Skywalker.” In a recent Rolling Stone interview, Johnson revealed that while there were talks, he and his team were never actively campaigning to direct the final chapter of the sequel trilogy.

Before creating the popular “Knives Out” franchise, Johnson took bold creative risks with “The Last Jedi,” which I personally believe have stood the test of time. Despite the speculation, he clarified that the decision for him not to direct Episode IX was made by Kathleen Kennedy, the President of Lucasfilm. So, it looks like our hopes of Johnson returning to the galaxy far, far away may have to wait a little longer.

During the interview, Johnson also addressed whether the possibility of directing Episode IX influenced his storytelling in “The Last Jedi.” Contrary to some rumors, he stated that the film was always intended to be the middle chapter of the trilogy, with another director taking on the final installment. This clears up any misunderstandings about the direction of the story and confirms that Johnson stayed true to his vision from the start.

While there have been whispers of Johnson getting his own Star Wars trilogy, there hasn’t been any significant progress on that front. For now, fans can enjoy “The Last Jedi” streaming on Disney+ along with the entire Star Wars franchise. And with the highly anticipated Rey movie on the horizon, there’s certainly more excitement to come in a galaxy far, far away.