Rian Johnson’s newest murder mystery Star Wars director was met with a lot of criticism from critics and fans alike who felt his story didn’t match the already established character’s personalities and motivations.
While The Last Jedi was still a commercial success, the storylines felt convoluted and like they were stretching how characters had already been established. Additionally, the film, at times, felt like it wasn’t pushing the overall arc of Rey, Finn, Poe, and General Leia Organa forward, but rather felt more like a filler. The Last Jedi was still visually stunning, showcasing Johnson’s knack for including color in a way that adds to the overall scene. This skill is perfectly showcased in Glass Onion and its widely popular predecessor Knives Out.
Glass Onion Proves What Went Wrong With The Last Jedi
As a director, Rian Johnson tends to reinvent genre, something expertly done in both Knives Out and Glass Onion. These movies were able to take what audiences had previously known and expected from murder mysteries and make them into a fun and fresh take on the genre. Glass Onion further reinvents the wheel when it comes to why main character Benoit Blanc accompanied The Interrupters on their vacation.
While this subversive form works well in movies like Glass Onion and Knives Out, it doesn’t work in franchises like Star Wars, where lore, history, and tradition are expected to be followed. Shaking things up is fine, but rewriting things to better fit Johnson’s vision was a bit problematic for longtime fans. Having characters like Luke Skywalker lose all faith in the Jedi felt wrong, and adding characters like Rose felt forced, especially when she was barely seen in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
How Rian Johnson's Star Wars Could Still Work
While Star Wars: The Last Jedi was disappointing in many facets, Rian Johnson could still succeed as a Star Wars director. If given the chance to introduce new characters into the franchise, Johnson’s style of reimagining genre may be successful. The Last Jedi didn’t work because Johnson changed characters audiences already knew and loved, but given a cast of new characters, Johnson may just succeed. Seeing original characters introduced to Star Wars isn’t anything new, with Din Djarin, The Mandalorian, and Grogu now the focus of a new Star Wars franchise. The Mandalorian’s success shows hope for Johnson’s return.
The Last Jedi can still arguably be seen as a disappointment, but this does not mean Rian Johnson shouldn't have another chance to create a Star Wars film or Disney+ TV show. With the rousing success of Glass Onion, Johnson now has a case for a comeback. While it’s still unclear whether Glass Onion will propel Johnson back into the arms of LucasFilm, it would be nice to see him go through redemption after the mixed feelings over The Last Jedi.
