Rian Johnson Reveals He Never Made an Outline or Treatment For His Star Wars Trilogy: 'All Very Conceptual'

Do you recall when Rian Johnson was slated to helm a fresh trilogy of Star Wars films? The director behind Glass Onion has recently discussed the unmade projects and revealed they were “entirely conceptual,” noting that he never even drafted an “outline or treatment” for them.

“Not much came of it,” Johnson shared with Rolling Stone in a recent interview. “We had a wonderful time collaborating, and they suggested we continue. I replied enthusiastically. I would bounce ideas off Kathy [Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm].

“The short version is that Knives Out happened. I went on to create Knives Out and quickly got busy crafting murder mysteries. If the chance arises later to return to Star Wars or work on something else within that universe, I’d be delighted. For now, however, I’m focused on my own projects and quite content.”

According to reports, Johnson was in negotiations with Kennedy to develop three films before the opportunity to direct his Agatha Christie-inspired mystery Knives Out steered him toward a different franchise entirely.

Several years ago, Johnson expressed his wish to return behind the camera for another Star Wars movie, though he acknowledged that “it wouldn’t be the end of the world” if it didn’t happen.

“But I would feel sad,” Johnson told Variety in 2022. “I adore this universe and its characters. I love the fans and their passion. There’s no better feeling than sharing a story set in this galaxy and watching audiences connect with it deeply. It’s truly remarkable.”

During that same interview, Johnson reflected on the divided fan response to The Last Jedi, explaining how his past habit of “arguing on the playground about Star Wars”—and specifically his earlier dislike for the Prequel trilogy—helped him handle the backlash to his film.

Johnson wrote and directed The Last Jedi in 2017, so it has been quite some time since he last visited that galaxy. With the next Knives Out installment, Wake Up Dead Man, scheduled for release in December and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars slate extending at least through 2027, it may be a while before Johnson wields his lightsaber again.