Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy was announced all the way back in 2017, and there’s been little news about the project since. Eight years later, many other Star Wars projects have been announced, including Don Glover’s Lando, a Taika Waititi movie, a Rey film, and a new trilogy by Simon Kinberg. However, the only two Star Wars movies with release dates are The Mandalorian & Grogu (May 22, 2026) and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter (May 28, 2027). So, with no solid updates about Johnson’s trilogy, fans have to wonder if it’s still on or if it’s been silently canceled.
What’s the latest update on Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy?
Rian Johnson made Star Wars: The Last Jedi in 2017. While it was a hit at the box office, the film quickly became the subject of much online controversy, with some Star Wars fans loving it and some hating it. However, even before the movie was released, it was announced that Johnson would write and direct a new trilogy of Star Wars movies that “will be a completely new story, with original characters, set in a different galaxy,” per Variety.
Johnson has been busy since The Last Jedi came out. He launched the Knives Out franchise, which will release its third entry on Netflix later this year. He also created the Peacock series Poker Face, which will debut its second season in May. Given his schedule, the reception that The Last Jedi had, and all the other Star Wars projects that are in development, it wouldn’t come as a complete shock if Lucasfilm decided to pull the plug on the Rian Johnson Star Wars trilogy.
Yet, all hope is not lost for Johnson fans. Speaking to Variety at Star Wars Celebration in 2023, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said that, while the project currently isn’t in active development, the company would still love to move forward on the trilogy when Johnson has the time.
“Rian and I talk all the time. He is unbelievably busy,” Kennedy said of the Star Wars Rian Johnson Trilogy. “So we’re not actively involved in anything at the moment because he’s doing another one of the Glass Onion movies and then God knows what else. But he really wants to step back into the space. It’s a big commitment of time, so that’s really on him.”
Johnson also said in November 2022 that making The Last Jedi was “the high point” of his life and he prays “to God [he’ll] be back there someday,” via Variety.
Whether or not Johnson’s trilogy actually happens remains to be seen, as there has been no official announcement regarding the project moving forward or being canceled at this time. Star Wars: The Last Jedi, meanwhile, is currently streaming on Disney+.
