Kathleen Kennedy Reveals Rian Johnson's Star Wars Exit

In a candid interview published alongside the announcement of her departure, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy revealed the true reason behind Rian Johnson's exit from his planned Star Wars trilogy. The director was reportedly 'spooked by the online negativity' that followed his 2017 film The Last Jedi.

This admission marks a significant departure from previous explanations, which primarily cited Johnson's busy schedule with Netflix's Knives Out franchise. Kennedy's comments offer rare insight into the pressures filmmakers face when entering the Star Wars universe, where fan expectations and online discourse can dramatically impact creative decisions.

Kennedy's statement came during a Deadline interview published in January 2026, where she discussed the future of Star Wars and her own departure from Lucasfilm. When asked why Johnson had not yet returned to the franchise, Kennedy initially mentioned his Netflix deal but then went further.

She described the online response to The Last Jedi as 'the rough part' of the experience. This represents a notable shift from the official narrative that has surrounded Johnson's absence from the franchise for years.

Once he made the Netflix deal and went off to start doing the Knives Out films, that has occupied a huge amount of his time. That's the other thing that happens here. After Shawn [Levy] and I started talking about Star Wars, Stranger Things kicks in and he was completely consumed for a while by that. That's what happened with Rian.

Kennedy continued: 'And then I do believe he got spooked by the online negativity. I think Rian made one of the best Star Wars movies. He's a brilliant filmmaker and he got spooked. This is the rough part. When people come into this space, I have every filmmaker and actors say to me, 'What's going to happen?' They're a little scared.''

The Last Jedi faced unprecedented online criticism upon its 2017 release, with the film becoming a focal point for divisive fan discourse. The movie's attempt to subvert traditional Star Wars narratives and character arcs generated intense debate within the franchise's community.

Johnson himself has previously acknowledged the film's divisive nature, stating in a December 2025 interview that he intentionally sought to challenge audience expectations rather than handle the franchise with 'kid gloves.' This creative approach, while praised by critics, created significant friction with segments of the fanbase.

• Intense online criticism following the film's release
• Divisive narrative choices that challenged franchise conventions
• Sustained negative discourse across social media platforms
• Heightened scrutiny of Johnson's creative decisions

The sustained negativity appears to have contributed to Johnson's decision to step away from his planned trilogy, despite initial enthusiasm from both the director and Lucasfilm leadership.

Lucasfilm had initially announced ambitious plans for Johnson to write and direct his own Star Wars trilogy, separate from the main Skywalker Saga. This project represented a significant expansion of the franchise under Disney's ownership, promising new stories and characters within the Star Wars universe.

However, as years passed without movement on the project, it became increasingly clear the trilogy would never materialize. The announcement of Johnson's departure from the franchise coincided with numerous other Star Wars projects being placed on the back burner or canceled entirely.

Johnson's focus shifted to Netflix, where he has found considerable success with the Knives Out franchise. The filmmaker has since developed multiple mystery films for the streaming platform, establishing a new creative identity outside of the Star Wars universe.

Kennedy's comments highlight a broader pattern within the Star Wars franchise, where filmmakers and actors have expressed trepidation about joining the property. The intense scrutiny and passionate fanbase create a unique challenge for creative professionals entering the universe.

As Kennedy prepares to leave Lucasfilm, she leaves behind a franchise in transition. Two Star Wars films are currently in post-production: The Mandalorian and Grogu, a spinoff from the hit Disney+ series, and Star Wars: Starfighter, a standalone film starring Ryan Gosling scheduled for 2027.

The Lucasfilm president also addressed other abandoned projects during her exit interview, including plans for a Ben Solo movie starring Adam Driver. Kennedy suggested that 'anything's a possibility if somebody's willing to take a risk,' indicating that the franchise remains open to bold creative visions despite the challenges.

Kathleen Kennedy's revelation about Rian Johnson's departure provides a sobering look at the pressures facing filmmakers in the modern entertainment landscape. The intersection of creative ambition, online discourse, and franchise expectations creates a complex environment where even acclaimed directors can feel 'spooked' by negative reactions.

As Star Wars moves forward under new leadership, the franchise faces the challenge of balancing creative innovation with fan expectations. Kennedy's comments suggest that the path forward may require filmmakers willing to take risks despite potential backlash, while also acknowledging the real emotional toll such scrutiny can take on creative professionals.

The legacy of The Last Jedi and Johnson's departure serves as a case study in how online negativity can impact major franchise decisions, raising questions about the future of bold storytelling within established universes.