Rian Johnson directed the most divisive Star Wars film with 2017’s The Last Jedi, and believed that the controversial sacrifice in it was a heroic act

The Star Wars franchise has seen its share of ups and downs over the years and the modern era of the franchise has proved to be the most divisive. The original trilogy has since remained the gold standard and none of the films that came after has managed to exceed them in storytelling. The modern trilogy proved to be immensely divisive among fans.

Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill in Star Wars: The Last Jedi | Lucasfilm
Certain character arcs and the modern trilogy’s direction did not meet fans’ expectations. 2017’s The Last Jedi, directed by Rian Johnson, received a lot of hate concerning the treatment of Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker. Despite the backlash, the director believed that Luke’s sacrifice would resonate throughout the universe.

Rian Johnson Saw Luke Skywalker’s Divisive Sacrifice In The Last Jedi As Extremely Heroic

The Last Jedi is very divisive among fans with Luke’s fate receiving backlash | Lucasfilm

The modern Star Wars trilogy saw the return of the original trilogy’s cast. Harrison Ford’s Han Solo and Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia make an appearance in 2015’s The Force Awakens. However, the new trilogy decided to go in the direction of killing off legacy characters. For example, Han gets killed by his son Kylo Ren in the 2015 film.

Such was the case for Mark Hamill‘s Luke Skywalker who was making his triumphant return after 1983’s Return of the Jedi. The last 30 minutes of The Last Jedi showed Luke fighting Kylo Ren on Crait. However, it turns out to be a distraction as Luke turns out to have created a force projection of himself from Ahch-To. However, the energy used to achieve that feat cost his life, and he becomes one with the Force.

In an interview with Uproxx, director Rian Johnson revealed that Luke’s heroic act was a way to leave a long-lasting legacy of the character for the universe through his sacrifice, which led to many Resistance members escaping the wrath of Kylo Ren. It was an act that was going to be his final bow in a way that celebrates the character in such a dignified way. The director said,

First of all, this is Luke’s movie. Mark gives a great performance in it. His journey back to taking on the mantle of the legend of Luke Skywalker is basically — something he had rejected as being unhealthy for the universe. 

Once he does that and comes back and does this heroic act that’s going to resonate throughout the universe, the notion that then that’s the moment to give him his final bow. And that’s the most emotionally potent time to do that made a lot of sense.

Luke’s characterization and the relationship between him and Kylo Ren proved to be incredibly divisive for fans, who felt that The Last Jedi completely did an injustice to what Luke stood for in the original trilogy. Contrary to Johnson, fans did not feel Luke’s sacrifice was heroic and rather felt that it wasted the character as a whole by killing him off.

Shawn Levy Teases An Exciting Concept For His New Star Wars Film With Jonathan Tropper

Shawn Levy recently directed Deadpool & Wolverine | Marvel Studios
It was announced that Shawn Levy would direct a new Star Wars film with Jonathan Tropper writing the screenplay. They both worked on The Adam Project and the director recently expressed his excitement about reuniting for the new Star Wars film they are currently working on. In an interview with On Demand Entertainment, the director revealed that they have an exciting concept for the film.

Levy further stated that their idea for the film has got huge support from Kathleen Kennedy and Dave Filoni. He hopes to get it made soon and he can’t reveal further information about the secretive project. The Deadpool & Wolverine director said,

I am happy that’s one secret I don’t have to keep keeping. Jonathan Tropper is writing my Star Wars film. We did The Adam Project together, and we have an idea that is really exciting to us and exciting to [Lucasfilm president] Kathy Kennedy and [chief creative officer] Dave Filoni. One never knows if development reaches the starting gate, but my hope is that it will. 

There are multiple Star Wars films in development. The Mandalorian & Grogu, directed by Jon Favreau, is scheduled for a release in 2026. A Rey movie is also in the works with Sharmeen-Obaid Chinoy set to direct. New Star Wars films with James Mangold and Dave Filoni are also in various stages of development.

Fans can watch Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Disney+.