Rian Johnson has crafted a legacy of his own in the Star Wars universe with his second feature in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, The Last Jedi. Introducing a whole new set of characters, the movie grossed remarkably well at the global box office, yet it was the center of a storm of criticism and debate within the Star Wars community.
From not ‘feeling like a Star Wars’ movie and being criticized about the way it handled the legendary character of Luke Skywalker, the movie has been riddled with criticism. Yet, Johnson has steadfastly refused to accept that his movie ever intended to undermine or strip away the very core of the beloved space fantasy saga.
Rian Johnson Won’t Accept The Last Jedi Backlash
Rian Johnson‘s The Last Jedi, the second feature in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, went on to gross $1.3 billion worldwide (via Box Office Mojo). Debuting with rave reviews by critics and fans, the movie was nonetheless subjected to brutal backlash by the loyal fans of the franchise for not feeling like a Star Wars movie.
From the unexpected directions the movie took to allegedly subverting the traditional Star Wars trope and even introducing some unneeded humorous elements, the film seemed like a far-fetched one made by ‘someone trying to replicate the Star Wars franchise’.
Yet, director will never acknowledge the severe backlash the film has been subjected to for the last 7 years or so. In an interview with Empire Magazine, Johnson instead states,
I’m even more proud of it five years on. When I was up at bat, I really swung at the ball. I think it’s impossible for any of us to approach Star Wars without thinking about it as a myth that we were raised with, and how that myth, that story, baked itself into us and affected us.
Talking about his intent to make the film, Johnson added,
The ultimate intent was not to strip away – the intent was to get to the basic, fundamental power of myth. And ultimately I hope the film is an affirmation of the power of the myth of Star Wars in our lives.
Thus, rooted in a deep love for the George Lucas-created universe, Johnson maintains that his intent was never an act of destruction but of evolution and paying homage to Lucas’ legacy.
Rian Johnson on the Controversial Depiction of Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi
Luke Skywalker has always been a beloved figure of the Star Wars saga. Known for his bravery and often selfless nature, the character might not be a conventional hero but he sure has been one of the best fictional heroes of all time. Yet, The Last Jedi, apparently undid everything the character had been through in the initial trilogy, making him more of a weak and cowardly character (see Reddit).
Yet, Rian Johnson does not believe his take on the character was anything controversial, instead, he believes The Last Jedi only added to his legacy, as he revealed while talking to Empire Magazine.
The final images of the movie, to me, are not deconstructing the myth of Luke Skywalker, they’re building it, and they’re him embracing it. They’re him absolutely defying the notion of, ‘Throw away the past,’ and embracing what actually matters about his myth and what’s going to inspire the next generation. So for me, the process of stripping away is always in the interest of getting to something essential that really matters.
Despite Johnson’s attempts at honoring the legacy of the saga, fans will surely not agree with the director, seeing the grizzled, disillusioned, and reluctant-to-engage version of Luke Skywalker in the movie.
While Johnson might not have ill intentions, there is nonetheless a belief among the loyal fans of the franchise that The Last Jedi pretty much destroyed what Star Wars was all about.
The Last Jedi can be streamed on Disney+.
