Rian Johnson intended to create the 'Empire Strikes Back' equivalent for the 'Star Wars' sequels, striving for a similar impact and narrative depth.
In a bold move to redefine the Star Wars saga, Rian Johnson, director of The Last Jedi, aimed to emulate the impact of The Empire Strikes Back while simultaneously subverting expectations. Johnson's interpretation, however, has been a source of controversy among fans and critics alike.
Johnson's approach to The Last Jedi was guided by Kathy Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, who urged him to make the film the Empire Strikes Back of the series. Johnson took this advice seriously, committing to making The Last Jedi a significant installment in the Star Wars saga.
One of the key points of controversy revolves around the portrayal of Luke Skywalker. Instead of the resilient hero fans expected, Johnson showed Luke as a disheartened Jedi who momentarily considered killing his nephew Ben Solo (Kylo Ren) when he sensed darkness. This portrayal, while intended to challenge traditional heroism, has sparked a polarising reaction. Some see it as a bold, realistic evolution, while others view it as a betrayal of the character's core values and legacy.
Johnson also aimed to challenge traditional mythic storytelling by showing failure and fallibility even in legendary heroes like Luke. This was a deliberate shift from the straightforward heroism celebrated in The Empire Strikes Back. Yoda's spirit destroying the ancient Jedi texts was symbolic of this break from the past.
The divisiveness of The Last Jedi has persisted, splitting the Star Wars fanbase. While it holds the highest critical approval in the sequel trilogy, some fans strongly dislike the reimagining of iconic characters and narrative choices, causing ongoing debates and controversy that have persisted years after its release.
Mark Hamill, the actor who plays Luke Skywalker, publicly expressed disagreement with Johnson's direction for Luke. This tension around the interpretation has contributed to uncertainty and eventual doubts about Johnson's planned Star Wars trilogy, suggesting the controversy has impacted the franchise's direction beyond just the single film.
Despite the controversy, Johnson believes his choices were not made with the intent to 'undo' anything but to take the story and characters to the next step. He spent days with J.J. Abrams to understand his choices for The Force Awakens, and he did not interpret Kennedy's guidance as simply making a film with nods to The Empire Strikes Back, but as trying to genuinely replicate its impact.
Johnson's desire to return to the Star Wars universe at some point indicates a hope for resolution and a chance to address the controversies that arose from The Last Jedi. As the Star Wars saga continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these debates will shape future instalments.
[1] The Verge, "The Last Jedi is the most divisive Star Wars film ever made", 2017. [2] The Guardian, "Star Wars: The Last Jedi - the controversy, the backlash and the legacy", 2018. [3] Vanity Fair, "How Star Wars: The Last Jedi's Controversy Affected Its Future", 2019.
- Gizmodo, in an analysis, discussed Rian Johnson's vision for the future of Star Wars movies, particularly his approach to The Last Jedi, which aimed to emulate the impact of The Empire Strikes Back while challenging traditional mythic storytelling.
- io9 reported on the ongoing debates and controversies surrounding The Last Jedi, as the film's portrayal of Luke Skywalker and its departure from past narratives has caused division among fans and critics alike.
- In Movies-and-TV entertainment section of Entertainment Weekly, Johnson opened up about his intentions for The Last Jedi, stating that his choices were not made to 'undo' anything but rather to take the story and characters to the next step, while also expressing a desire to return to the Star Wars universe in the future.
