‘Lol Zero Spooked, Sorry’ – Rian Johnson Responds to Kathleen Kennedy’s Suggestions That ‘Online Negativity’ Put The Last Jedi Director Off Making More Star Wars

Rian Johnson Shuts Down Star Wars Trilogy Fear Claims

Has the intense online discourse surrounding Star Wars truly scared away one of its most divisive creators? Director Rian Johnson has directly countered recent speculation about his departure from the galaxy far, far away, offering a blunt rebuttal to claims he was intimidated by fan backlash.

Clarifying the Record on Star Wars Future

Recent comments from a departing Lucasfilm executive suggested that Johnson decided against moving forward with a planned Star Wars trilogy because he was “spooked by the online negativity” following the release of *Star Wars: The Last Jedi*. Johnson responded to these claims on social media with a succinct message: “lol zero spooked, sorry,” effectively dismissing the idea that fan reaction influenced his career decisions.

The executive had elaborated in an interview, stating, “I do believe he got spooked by the online negativity,” while also praising Johnson as a brilliant filmmaker who made one of the best Star Wars movies. She framed the online environment as a common concern for talent entering major franchises.

Johnson’s History of Addressing Backlash

This is not the first time Johnson has addressed the polarized reception to his Star Wars film. He has previously framed his approach as intentionally provocative. In a past interview, he explained that his goal was to create a movie that “shook the box” and challenged fan expectations, rather than handling the legacy with “kid gloves.”

Key points from his philosophy include:

• A desire to challenge the narrative and upend expectations, not just repeat familiar story beats.
• An understanding that challenging a beloved franchise would naturally lead to a strong recoil from some segments of the fandom.
• A belief that the “worst sin” for a creator is to play it too safe out of fear of fan reaction.

His comments suggest his departure from the planned Star Wars projects was more likely a result of scheduling conflicts with his successful *Knives Out* film series and other commitments, rather than a reaction to online discourse. This perspective adds a new layer to discussions about filmmaker autonomy and fan interaction in major franchises like {{INTERNAL_LINK:the Star Wars universe}}.

Navigating Fandom in the Modern Era

The exchange highlights the ongoing conversation about the relationship between creators and passionate fan communities. While online feedback is more immediate and vocal than ever, Johnson’s stance reinforces that creative decisions and career paths are driven by a complex mix of artistic vision, opportunity, and business, not solely by external noise. For fans debating the future of the franchise, this serves as a reminder that the behind-the-scenes story is often more nuanced than it appears, a theme common in {{INTERNAL_LINK:major film franchise development}}.

Ultimately, Rian Johnson’s clear denial puts to rest one specific narrative about his exit from Star Wars, redirecting focus to his intentional creative choices and current projects, while the franchise continues to evolve under new leadership.