Rian Johnson, the director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, has addressed Kathleen Kennedy's claims that he was deterred from continuing with Star Wars projects due to online backlash. Johnson simply remarked, "lol zero spooked, sorry," countering Kennedy's suggestion that he became apprehensive after the film's reception. Kennedy speculated that the intense negativity impacted his future plans for a trilogy, but acknowledged Johnson's talent, calling him a brilliant filmmaker. Johnson's vision for The Last Jedi was to challenge fan expectations, reflecting his childhood admiration for Star Wars while understanding the risks involved. Current and future Star Wars projects include a spinoff featuring The Mandalorian and Grogu.

Did Rian Johnson really back out of the Star Wars franchise due to online negativity?

No, Rian Johnson refuted Kathleen Kennedy's suggestion that he was "spooked" by online backlash, indicating that his decision to focus on other projects was unrelated to fan criticism.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi, released in 2017, has been a polarizing entry in the legendary franchise, separating opinions among fans. Johnson aimed to introduce innovative storytelling and subversion of tropes in a series known for its strong legacy. Upcoming Star Wars films like The Mandalorian spinoff and Starfighter highlight Disney's commitment to explore new narratives within this vast universe, despite the mixed reactions to previous installments.