Why Rian Johnson’s Star Wars Trilogy Died — The Fallout of The Last Jedi Explained

What really happened to Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy? Why did Lucasfilm greenlight THREE new films from the man who directed the most divisive movie in franchise history, The Last Jedi — and then abandon the project entirely?

In this episode of Blockbuster Breakdown, we take a brutally honest look at how The Last Jedi didn't just derail one movie, but altered the course of an entire franchise. From turning Luke Skywalker into a cynical recluse to dismantling decades of Jedi lore, Rian Johnson’s subversive vision fractured the Skywalker Saga and ultimately set the stage for the rise of… the Palpatine Saga.

This is the untold story behind one of the biggest "what-ifs" in blockbuster history — a trilogy that was announced but never truly began. We explore:

✅ Why The Last Jedi was more than just “different” — it was deeply cynical

✅ How it re-centered the saga around Emperor Palpatine, not the Skywalkers

✅ What Rian Johnson himself revealed in a 2025 Rolling Stone interview

✅ How Knives Out distracted Rian from the galaxy far, far away

✅ Why Lucasfilm’s “no plan” approach backfired spectacularly

✅ What the death of Johnson’s trilogy means for the future of Star Wars

This deep dive goes beyond casual criticism — it’s a passionate fan’s reflection on how a single film rewired the DNA of one of the most beloved franchises in cinematic history. We look at the timeline of Lucasfilm’s announcements, fan reactions, what was promised versus what was delivered, and how Johnson’s trilogy became a ghost project built on buzzwords and broken trust.

If you’ve ever wondered:

“Was Rian Johnson really going to make three new Star Wars movies?”

“Why did Disney kill his trilogy after hyping it up?”

“What the heck happened to the Skywalker legacy?”

“Did The Last Jedi destroy Star Wars canon?”

“Did we really dodge a bullet?”

…this episode is for you.

Whether you hated The Last Jedi, loved it, or are still trying to make sense of it, this breakdown sheds light on the creative chaos, franchise fatigue, and the legacy of a movie that split fandom in half.

Join us as we ask the big questions: What does Star Wars need now? What does it deserve? And how do we protect it from creatives who seem more interested in tearing it down than building it up?

👉 Like, share, and subscribe to Blockbuster Breakdown for more brutally honest takes on the biggest hits and flops in movie history.

🔥 Tell us in the comments: Would YOU have watched Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy? Or are you grateful it never left hyperspace?