Rian Johnson Hopes to Capture the Spirit of Original Star Wars Films in His New Trilogy

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Rian Johnson Reveals His Goal For the New Star Wars Trilogy

By Geoff Miller

Published Apr 4, 2018

Although fans are still debating The Last Jedi, director Rian Johnson is turning his attention to his new Star Wars trilogy.

With his divisive take on the Skywalker saga now in the rear-view mirror following The Last Jedi's home release, director Rian Johnson has revealed the ultimate goal for his new Star Wars trilogy.

"I'm looking at everything right now," he told Digital Spy when asked which aspects of the Star Wars universe he might draw upon for inspiration. "I'm honestly just in this very nice 'OK, what is this thing going to be?' phase."

Johnson added that the most important aspect of the new trilogy has little to do with specific plot points, and everything to do with capturing the raw essence of the beloved franchise.

"Really, the only goal I have is to think about how Star Wars made me feel as a kid, and that's it," he said. "I'm trying to capture: What is that, if it's not iconography, that we recognize, necessarily, from the original trilogy? What captures that spirit? What can be that for a kid who's never heard of Star Wars? It's getting back to the very fundamental questions of what makes this what it is."

Although The Last Jedi has proved to be among the property's most contentious chapters, the filmmaker has insisted the backlash won't influence his original trilogy.

Although his new trilogy set in the galaxy far, far away remains in the early stages of development, Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi is available now on streaming platforms, Blu-ray and 4k HD. The film stars Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn, Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke, Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, Laura Dern as Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo and the late Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa.