Star Wars Director QUIT?! Online Hate SHOCKS Lucasfilm Boss!

Kathleen Kennedy, the outgoing president of Lucasfilm, has dropped something of a bombshell: Rian Johnson, the director behind the divisive *Star Wars: The Last Jedi*, was apparently "spooked by the online negativity" surrounding the film. This, she suggests, played a significant role in his stepping away from further *Star Wars* projects. It's a pretty blunt admission, especially considering the narrative that's been spun for years about Johnson focusing on his *Knives Out* franchise.

Star Wars Director QUIT?! Online Hate SHOCKS Lucas...

Let's be honest, the internet's reaction to *The Last Jedi* was...intense. While *Knives Out* was undoubtedly a factor in Johnson's scheduling, Kennedy's remarks paint a more nuanced picture. She acknowledged the *Knives Out* commitments, sure, but then pointedly added, "And then I do believe he got spooked by the online negativity."

It's a tough situation for anyone involved. "I think Rian made one of the best Star Wars movies. He's a brilliant filmmaker and he got spooked," Kennedy stated. She continued, highlighting the trepidation felt by many entering the *Star Wars* universe: "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." It's a stark reminder of the pressure cooker environment that is modern fandom, particularly within a galaxy far, far away.

Remember that grand announcement of a new *Star Wars* trilogy helmed by Johnson? It was supposed to be something completely separate from the Skywalker saga. But as time marched on, and other *Star Wars* ventures hit the development graveyard, it became increasingly clear that Johnson's trilogy was unlikely to materialize. Now, with Kennedy's comments, it all makes a bit more sense. The vitriol hurled online clearly had a real-world impact.

Interestingly, Johnson himself has previously talked about his intention to "shake the box" with *The Last Jedi*. He wanted to challenge expectations, to avoid simply treating the franchise with "kid gloves," a criticism he subtly leveled at other sequel trilogy installments. "I was hoping for that — I wasn't afraid of it per se," Johnson told Polygon back in December. "Having grown up a Star Wars fan, I know that thing where something challenges it, and I know the recoil against that." He seemed prepared for pushback, but perhaps not the level of toxicity that actually transpired.

Kennedy is leaving Lucasfilm with a couple of exciting projects in the pipeline: *The Mandalorian and Grogu*, a film spun off from the wildly successful Disney+ series, and *Star Wars: Starfighter*, a standalone film starring Ryan Gosling, currently slated for release in 2027. Also, in that same exit interview, Kennedy teased the possibility of a Ben Solo movie starring Adam Driver, saying that "anything’s a possibility if somebody’s willing to take a risk." So, despite the turbulent times, there's still hope for the future of *Star Wars*. The question remains: will Lucasfilm and Disney be able to foster an environment where filmmakers feel empowered to take those risks without fearing the online backlash?