With Disney and LucasFilm bringing last year’s highest-grossing movieStar Wars: The Last Jedito home video, directorRian Johnson, producer Ram Bergman and star Mark Hamill sat down to discuss this blockbuster at SXSW, where the talk eventually turned to Rian Johnson’s newStar Warstrilogy that he’s just starting to develop, which will kick off withStar Wars 10. While the filmmaker naturally wouldn’t divulge any story details, he was asked by Fandango’s Erik Davis if any of the fan backlash fromStar Wars: The Last Jediwill have any impact on how he approaches this new trilogy. Here’s what the director had to say.
“No, not really. I mean, I feel like everyStar Warsthing that ever gets made has a big, loud response becauseStar Warsfans arepassionate and that’s what makes them awesome. I don’t think it’s possible when, if you’re really telling a story you care about and having it come from your heart, it’s just not possible to be intellectually processing what everyone else wants and nor would it be a good thing, a healthy thing. I don’t think that’s a good way to tell a story. There’s just so much potential and I can’t wait to jump into it. What makes me so excited about it is the idea of doing a new story on the big canvas of three movies in this world.”
While many fans chided director J.J. Abrams forStar Wars: The Force Awakensforbeing to similar to A New Hope, many of those same fans took Rian Johnson to task for the bold and daring choices he made inStar Wars: The Last Jedi, which was unlike anyStar Warsmovie fans had seen up to that point. Still, the movie was widely well-received by most critics and fans alike, and given LucasFilm’s recent tendency to fire directors they can’t work with (i.e. Phil Lord and Chris Miller, Colin Trevorrow), the fact that Disney and LucasFilm are willing to entrust an entire trilogy with Johnson should speak volumes about how well he works within this massive franchise. The one thing we do know about the new trilogy is that it won’t follow the Skywalker saga, with Mark Hamill stating he’s looking forward to watching these movies as fans.
“Listen, I reallyenjoyed the prequelsandRogue Onebecause there was 100% less Hamill. There’s no pressure. You can just sit back and relax and take the ride, and that’s why I’m looking forward toHan Solo.”
When asked if he’s practicing his “Force ghost” forStar Wars 9, the actor stated that he can’t confirm nor deny, but added, “I like to have fun on Twitter… and you have to remember that a lot of people don’t get irony on Twitter, mostly, but, if anything, after years of being a trickster and a joker, people should know that don’t take anything I say seriously.” You can take a look at the segment of Rian Johnson, Ram Bergman and Mark Hamill’s interview with Fandango’s Erik Davis below, where Johnson discusses the fan expectations, and you can also check out the full interview, courtesy of Fandango All Access YouTube.
