Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy never materialized, and he’s now admitting that he never developed an outline or treatment for it. In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Johnson revealed that the project was “all very conceptual.” He explained that he never had a solid plan for the trilogy, saying, “Nothing really happened with it.” The filmmaker also spoke about his creative process with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, saying they would casually discuss ideas but ultimately, his focus shifted to other projects, particularly Knives Out. “I went off and made ‘Knives Out,’” Johnson said, “and was off to the races, busy making murder mysteries.” He added that while he would be open to returning to Star Wars in the future, he’s currently enjoying working on his own projects.
It seems Johnson was in talks with Lucasfilm about the trilogy, but his success with Knives Out diverted his attention away from Star Wars. Years ago, Johnson expressed his desire to return to the Star Wars universe, though he acknowledged that it wouldn’t be the end of the world if he didn’t. “But I would be sad,” he confessed in a 2022 interview. 
“I love the world. I love the people. I love ‘Star Wars’ fans. I love the passion of how they engage in it. There’s nothing like telling a story in this world and then experiencing people truly connecting to it and letting you know that. It’s extraordinary.”
As for his involvement in The Last Jedi, Johnson discussed the divisive fan reactions to his 2017 film, explaining that his past criticisms of the Prequel trilogy helped him process the backlash. Despite the negative feedback, he defended his decision to take risks with the story, admitting that the film’s tone was darker and more mature. Since then, Lucasfilm’s Star Wars plans have moved forward, with films slated for release through 2027, so it might be a while before Johnson picks up his lightsaber again.