Rian Johnson Hopes ‘Star Wars’ Brings in ‘Fresh Voices and Filmmakers’ to Tell ‘New Stories in That World’ as Kathleen Kennedy Exits Lucasfilm

Rian Johnson is “excited to see” what Kathleen Kennedy does next after stepping down as the head of Lucasfilm. Kennedy, who took charge of the “Star Wars” franchise after George Lucas handpicked her to run Lucasfilm 14 years ago, announced her studio exit earlier this month. She is being replaced by Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan.

“I love Kathy. I am excited now to see what she does next,” Johnson said at the Variety Studio presented by Audible while in Sundance as an executive producer on “The Only Living Pickpocket in New York.” “As a ‘Star Wars’ fan, the most exciting thing for me is always seeing when they bring in fresh voices and fresh filmmakers to come in and tell new stories in that world. That’s what I am looking forward to seeing more happen.”

Johnson directed “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and said of the experience, “I had the time of my life doing it. I am now an even bigger ‘Star Wars’ fan than I was when going into it. I would feel blessed if that were to ever happen .”

Kelly Marie Tran, who played Rose Tico in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” and “The Rise of Skywalker,” was also on the ground in Sundance promoting the new movie “Rock Springs.” Asked at the Variety Studio about what Kennedy’s leadership meant to her, Tran said it’s “such a loss” that the “Star Wars” franchise is losing her.

“She’s had such an incredible career,” Tran said. “To have someone who is not just a woman but who is so capable in that role for so long, and it’s historic. I think that it’s such a loss, but I am very happy for all the life changes she is making.”

After 2017’s “The Last Jedi,” Johnson was set to develop another “Star Wars” trilogy. But the project never got off the ground, and Johnson moved on to writing and directing his “Knives Out” trilogy. In her exit interview with Deadline, Kennedy explained that Johnson never returned to the “Star Wars” franchise because the “Knives Out” movies ate up “a huge amount of his time.” She also claimed he got “a little scared” by the fan backlash to “The Last Jedi,” which is something Johnson then denied on X by posting: “Lol zero spooked, sorry.”