UPDATE! Rian Johnson On Directing Episode IX + The Director Confirms Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt for The Last Jedi!

Director Rian Johnson is currently in Tokyo, Japan promoting the The Last Jedi, and according to a tweet from @premiereport, the director revealed at a recent fan event that his good friend, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, has a voice acting role in the upcoming Star Wars movie. Johnson also briefly talked about the rumors that he will direct Star Wars: Episode IX.

 

 

 

 

Just in case you don’t speak Japanese, it basically just says that Johnson confirmed that Levitt has a voice role in the movie. This should come as no surprise, given that the actor has appeared in all three of Johnson’s films, LooperBrick, and even an uncredited role in The Brothers Bloom.

 

Due to the nature of the role as a voice performance, don’t expect to see the actor in a cameo similar to those of Simon Pegg or Daniel Craig in TFA. As a voiceover, Levitt could be portraying virtually anything, but Rian’s words were clear that Levitt will lend his voice to an alien.

 

 

In a new video from the same event, Johnson revealed that The Last Jedi is almost ready. The director shared that when he gets back to LA, he will just have a few more days of work. Johnson also briefly spoke about how the cast was very shocked by the development of some the characters in the movie.

 

You can check the video below:

 

 

 

This video above is not the whole interview with the director, but you can check the full interview here. Perhaps the most interesting information (not discussed above) are Rian’s thoughts on the rumors that he will direct Episode IX. Here’s what he said (translation via @starwarsweblog):

 

It was never in the plan for me directing Episode9.

I don’t know what’s gonna happen.

I was entirely focused on Episode 8.

So now I’m not really thinking about that right now.

Sit down and see who are the next filmmaker.

 

 

It seems that there still haven’t been any serious talks with the director. However, one would assume that you would remove a director only after you’re certain that you have a replacement ready to take over. It will be interesting to see how this develops. Perhaps Rian just doesn’t want to distract the audience away from The Last Jedi. I would speculate that if the announcement of the new Episode IX director is delayed until after The Last Jedi hits theaters, then the chances are even greater that Johnson will indeed take over.

 

 

UPDATE!

 

Here are Rian’s exact words about Episode IX from the event:

 

 

 

 

+ posts

Jordan Pate is Co-Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net, of which he is also a member of the book and comic review team. He loves all things Star Wars, but when he's not spending time in the galaxy far far away, he might be found in our own galaxy hanging out in Gotham City or at 1407 Graymalkin Lane, Salem Center, NY.

Jordan Pate (Hard Case)

Jordan Pate is Co-Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net, of which he is also a member of the book and comic review team. He loves all things Star Wars, but when he's not spending time in the galaxy far far away, he might be found in our own galaxy hanging out in Gotham City or at 1407 Graymalkin Lane, Salem Center, NY.

90 thoughts on “UPDATE! Rian Johnson On Directing Episode IX + The Director Confirms Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt for The Last Jedi!

  • September 11, 2017 at 4:38 pm
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    He didn’t say he’s not directing ep IX and that’s a lot. 😛

    • September 11, 2017 at 6:34 pm
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      For what it’s worth, he did say that he was looking forward to just being a fan again and to watch what the next director does.

      • September 11, 2017 at 8:58 pm
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        Yup. That sounds like a ‘no’ to me.

  • September 11, 2017 at 5:18 pm
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    They’ve asked him. The way he phrased that sounds as if they asked him and he either didn’t reply or he did and said yes and is using some weird language to try and hide that.

  • September 11, 2017 at 5:42 pm
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    I’d be amazed if Rian isn’t given the job for episode 9, especially since Kathy Kennedy said he is one of the best film-makers she’s ever worked with and he even said on Twitter he would love to make another SW movie, surely you would want to keep a guy like him for the continuation/conclusion of the trilogy, seem’s like a no-brainer to me.

    • September 11, 2017 at 6:02 pm
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      I hope they delay Ep 9 and wait so see how Ep 8 is received before they assign Ryan to do the next one. The statement of Hamill “I fundamentally disagree with all of your choices” and Daisy’s “it’s different but ultimately right” makes me think that we are up to a big surprise. That doesn’t necessarily mean a bad surprise but it feels like they are preparing us for some controversial plotlines and I want to see them first before I know what to think of RJ directing Ep 9.

      • September 11, 2017 at 8:20 pm
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        Agreed wholeheartedly. I smell moments that fans are NOT going to like.

        • September 11, 2017 at 8:59 pm
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          If I had to guess, I would say you are banking on that.

          • September 11, 2017 at 9:13 pm
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            I don’t htink that any fan wants a SW movie to suck. That would be kind of masochistic wouldn’t it? 🙂

          • September 11, 2017 at 9:38 pm
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            Read this cat’s comment history and tell me you don’t come to the same conclusion as I did.

          • September 11, 2017 at 9:42 pm
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            I am familiar with Kent and his affinity for using CAPSLOCK. This was more like a rethorical question 🙂

          • September 11, 2017 at 11:06 pm
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            Silly me. Hard to decipher reality these days…

          • September 12, 2017 at 1:03 am
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            Haha I’m trying to be better about Caps lately. And no, I don’t want TLJ to suck. Been there, done that with the Prequels. I loved TFA. Enjoyed Rogue One. I didn’t have this intense dread for those films that I have for TLJ. Watching Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley squirm as they try to explain “Its unexpected, ummm, but, uh, ultimately right” has telegraphed to me all I need to know.

          • September 12, 2017 at 1:41 pm
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            I agree, I’m a bit nervous too. Usually actors and directors are like “This is gonna blow your mind. The movie is so good, it will be the most amazing experience ever, etc…” The fact that they are cautiously preparing us for something unexpected makes me feel uneasy. A surprise can be an amazing experience but it can also go terribly wrong.

            Let’s say for example the rumors are true and Luke force chokes Rey. This would be a huge surprise. It could go in two directions though:

            a) Rey is kind of a brat and accuses Luke of being a coward for going into hiding. At one point he snaps and he force chokes her and lifts her up into the air. He shouts something like: Do you think this is a game? Do you even have the slightest idea how powerful the dark side can be? Do you honestly think you are ready for it? As he calms down he slowly lowers her too the ground, looks at his mechanical hand and says: I was once like you. I too though I was ready and that master Yoda was wrong. Pride young Rey, pride is what ended the Jedi. Don’t make the same mistake.
            ( I hope this monologue makes sense, English is obviously not my first language)

            b) Luke has become an unstable maniac. He uses Jedi and Sith techniques because to him there is no longer a difference between the two. His training is supposed to turn Rey into a weapon to help him fight against Snoke but he is not really interested in her on an emotional level.

            I would have no problem with option a) but option b) would essentially destroy the character of Luke. And since Mark Hamill disliked the way his character was written I am afraid they might have chosen something more similar to option b) than option a).

        • September 11, 2017 at 9:59 pm
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          I’m sure the majority of fans in the theater in 1980 didn’t ‘like’ that Vader was Luke’s father…but sht happens.

    • September 11, 2017 at 9:56 pm
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      Lightening doesn’t strike twice, though.

  • September 11, 2017 at 6:00 pm
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    Probably just waiting on the outrageous sum he asked for to be green lighted from Iger….. 🙂

  • September 11, 2017 at 6:25 pm
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    I’m impressed he speaks Japanese, on top of everything else. What a dude. Can anyone here translate a full transcript?

  • September 11, 2017 at 6:41 pm
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    It sounds like he isn’t doing Ep 9 as of right now. He talks about looking forward to seeing Ep 9 as a member of the audience and looking forward to whatever the next director will bring to the saga. It’s a no, I’m not the director of Ep 9, without saying a direct no.

    However, there have to be talks going on and I think it only makes sense that he is being heavily considered and courted for the writer/director role for Ep 9

  • September 11, 2017 at 7:12 pm
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    He has the checked shirt, glasses and the beard … Can’t put my finger on it but he reminds me of someone.

    • September 11, 2017 at 7:46 pm
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      ha ha well played sir

  • September 11, 2017 at 7:19 pm
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    That definitely wasn’t a no. Sounds like their still waiting to announce Johnson as the director or he hasn’t decided yet.

    • September 11, 2017 at 9:53 pm
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      Noh, but I think it’s pretty safe to say we’ll all be pretty blown away by who they chose.

  • September 11, 2017 at 7:39 pm
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    I’m not being a troll, could someone please explain to me the appeal of having this guy do another one? I just can’t see it. He seems like a really cool man, personally I do not think Looper was a game changer, a good movie, period. We haven’t seen E8, why is everyone so excited and so onboard for him on E9? Am I missing something here? Thank you.

    • September 11, 2017 at 8:19 pm
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      Agreed, I’m not sold at all till I see Ep8.

      • September 11, 2017 at 11:27 pm
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        Stop pretending that you’re even open-minded. You have already declared Ep. 8 a disappointment without even seeing it.

        • September 12, 2017 at 12:56 am
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          Yes – I’m highly suspicious of Ep 8. As are a great many fans. If it turns out to be incredibly awesome, I will be very happy to say I spoke too soon.

    • September 11, 2017 at 9:40 pm
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      As always I will wait until I see the movie before I pass judgement on RJ. However, for the time being I would prefer JJ over RJ because TFA worked perfectly in my oppinion except for the lack of originality. Since JJ would have to pick up the story where RJ left it the lack of originality wouldn’t be an issue any longer. So until TLJ convinces me otherwise I would prefer to see JJ direct Epsiode 9.

      • September 11, 2017 at 9:48 pm
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        Please no more Abrams. We will have power generator for Starkiller base II on forest moon of Fondor and furry little cute aliens Awoks trying to destroy it in EP IX.

        I want something new and original. Abrams is not able to make anything truly new.

        • September 12, 2017 at 2:28 am
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          Truth is nothing is 100 percent original.

      • September 11, 2017 at 9:52 pm
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        “except for the lack of originality”

        Ok, that’s a pretty big exception.

        • September 11, 2017 at 10:04 pm
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          No not really. The plot is only one element of a what makes a good movie. There’s a reason why there are Oscars in so many different categories and why a movie like “Mad Max: Fury Road” is entertaining to watch despite the fact that it’s just a two hour long car chase. I prefer a partialy copied story like the one in TFA over the prequels with their original stories but flawed execution. I also know a bunch of people for whom TFA was the first Star Wars experience and they got hooked to SW because the soft reboot concept caught the essence of what ANH was back in 1977 and updated it for a 2015 audience.

          • September 12, 2017 at 5:36 am
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            And still, I’ve heard from people that its not a film that requires further viewings.

          • September 12, 2017 at 1:10 pm
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            Hmm that doesn’t make sense to me. The plot is the main part of a movie that get’s less and less important the more often you watch it. There are some exceptions like Sixth Sense, Memento or Fight Club that offer a different viewing experience once you are familiar with their final plottwists. But other than that I don’t see why a lack of story will prevent you from watching a movie a second time. No matter how many amazing plotlines a movie has, after watching it once you the plot isn’t going to change anymore or offer anything new. What becomes more important however are things like music, (sound)editing, acting, special effects, fighting choreographies etc… These are the things that keep you watching a movie over and over even if you know the plot by heart (eg. The Empire Strikes Back). I’m not saying that a good plot isn’t important. But it is by no means the defining factor of a good movie.

          • September 12, 2017 at 4:07 pm
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            Plot seems seems to be the emphasis in your argument, I’m not necessarily referring to plot.

          • September 12, 2017 at 6:59 pm
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            I see. Thanks for the clarification 🙂

    • September 12, 2017 at 2:19 am
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      I’d love to see Tommy Wiseau get a shot, he’s very much in the George Lucas school of directing.

  • September 11, 2017 at 7:47 pm
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    either way the movie is not coming out may 2019. No chance in hell, especially if there is no script

    • September 12, 2017 at 4:16 am
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      idk, they’ve managed to stick to the may 2018 date for solo despite massive reshoots. if they want to make it happen it will happen.

  • September 11, 2017 at 8:17 pm
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    I smell a major league f*ck-up with Ep 8. If Mark Hamill and Daisy
    Ridley were taken aback by the script, imagine the average viewer……
    Moments like Luke force-choking Rey are NOT going to go over well with middle America.

    • September 11, 2017 at 8:31 pm
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      Agreed. The movie won’t flop (financially I mean) because of the force of the SW brand, but I’m pretty sure there will be a backlash against the script.

      • September 11, 2017 at 8:34 pm
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        Completely. This movie will be a financial success. The SW brand insures that. It could literally be two hours of Porgs jumping up and down with Chewie and it will be a hit. However, when a SW movie CONNECTS with its audience, as TFA did, it can move from “hit” to “biggest movie of all time”. Rian has sprinkled this film with a lot of “strangeness” that, although imaginative, is not likely to connect with the average fan. It’s very simple what fans want from this film: (1) They want to see Rey get trained, (2) They want to see Luke be the HEROIC BADASS that we know and love. By not giving us #2, Rian has already let me down.

        • September 11, 2017 at 9:02 pm
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          Oh? So the cut of TLJ you got to see was no good and didn’t include that? Please share how we can all see this movie early as you apparently have.

          • September 11, 2017 at 11:32 pm
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            No need to even see the movie. already know it’s a massive letdown because it includes unexpected things in it rather than safe and predictable things. And we already know how every scene in the movie goes after seeing a 2 minute teaser and a bunch of toys.

          • September 12, 2017 at 1:07 am
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            FYI – I’m loving everything I’ve seen thus far for Untitled: Han Solo.

        • September 11, 2017 at 9:44 pm
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          TFA did not connect with me ( it is my least favorite SW movie ), and I’am part of audience. Soo speak for yourself.

          TLJ already look like better movie. But all SW movies under Disney are not original. I want something that is new and original.

          • September 11, 2017 at 10:36 pm
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            The Box Office Receipts for TFA stand for the grand majority of the fandom. So yes, I’ll speak for myself and the grand majority of the fandom.

        • September 11, 2017 at 9:48 pm
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          Not any more. On the surface, audiences might think they want that. But what they’ll get, however unorthodox, is something they’ll ultimately appreciate.

        • September 12, 2017 at 3:04 am
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          What I wonder is what happens if TLJ brings in significantly less money than Rogue One?

          Overall, I sense that, because of what happens (and does not happen) in TLJ, there’s a lot of pressure on the new writer of IX. And whoever takes the directing gig will have to patch up things and somehow bring a satisfying conclusion to this trilogy.

    • September 11, 2017 at 9:20 pm
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      Mark Hamill’s “take” is completely up to interpretation, but regardless — his opinions on this film are just as irrelevant as Ringo Starr’s input in The Beatles’ songwriting.

      https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RhokFOP8IH0

    • September 11, 2017 at 9:39 pm
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      [Spoiler Caution]

      His choking her is a part of her training…and ultimately for her own good.

      And we’re talking about a global audience, not just Americans.

      • September 11, 2017 at 10:46 pm
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        Yeah, that’s not a moment that going to go over anywhere. Also, Luke isn’t going to be a “grey Jedi” — great fan-myth here.

        • September 11, 2017 at 11:39 pm
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          confirmed by Johnson – no Grey Jedi in his universe

          • September 11, 2017 at 11:44 pm
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            Grey by any other name…

          • September 12, 2017 at 12:57 am
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            Grey Jedi in TLJ is a great fan myth, based on nothing.

        • September 11, 2017 at 11:44 pm
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          Really?

    • September 11, 2017 at 10:15 pm
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      He Force chokes her? Did I miss something?

    • September 11, 2017 at 10:16 pm
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      Mark Hamill was also shocked to find out that Vader was Luke’s dad. I enjoyed TFA but it was super safe. An unexpected turn in the story could be a good thing.

    • September 11, 2017 at 10:19 pm
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      I seriously don’t understand this community. Yesterday everybody was complaining about how similar TLJ is to ESB, and now the problem is that TLJ is “unexpected”, “different”, “shocking”…

      • September 11, 2017 at 11:52 pm
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        Well we’ve had over 40 years of conditioning, so a traditional plot twist isn’t going to cut it anymore.

        • September 12, 2017 at 12:16 am
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          At this point we know nothing about these plot twists. We should wait and see the whole film before judging it. We don’t know much about the film, it doesn’t even have a full trailer yet.

          • September 12, 2017 at 12:30 am
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            Agreed.
            We’ll have a hell of a gift next month though: Full preview, official poster and a new director
            announcement 🙂

      • September 12, 2017 at 10:39 am
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        Actually it’s not the majority of the community. It’s just a small amount of people specially Kent Kaliber. This dude has been lurking in the forum/comments section spreading his paranoid and hate for this film, a film which NOBODY has seen it yet. Just look at his comments and you will know what i’m talking about. Just ignore the dude.

  • September 11, 2017 at 8:26 pm
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    His answer was 100% professional, yet coy. He knows he just made a good film (I’m optimistic about that myself), but come the day after December 16th, we’ll all know for sure, and he’ll be in a position to negotiate a way bigger salary.

    Smart, classy guy — Lucasfilm got very lucky, and hopefully the fan majority will soon feel the same.

    • September 11, 2017 at 9:30 pm
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      Except that waiting until Dec. is not an option, considering.

      • September 11, 2017 at 9:37 pm
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        I wouldn’t be surprised to learn he’s already on script detail for IX.

        I also think most of the major Disney decisions happen long before we ever hear about it, so I still expect IX to stay on schedule.

        • September 11, 2017 at 10:08 pm
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          And what a director they’ve got 😉

          • September 12, 2017 at 1:58 am
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            You’re saying you know who the director is?

          • September 12, 2017 at 2:20 am
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            No

  • September 11, 2017 at 8:28 pm
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    I am sure what it’s in negotiations is the release date, if they let Ryan to have a break and then to pen the film… he may accept. Words “tiring experience” are important in what he says.

    I trust KK and if this is one of the best filmmakers ever worked with, then I really hope he’s goven the cance to finish the trilogy.

    • September 11, 2017 at 8:36 pm
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      I have no final opinion on Rian’s skills till we all see 8.

  • September 11, 2017 at 9:24 pm
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    H’ell [very] likely be brought on the shepard the script. He will not however, be directing, as LF made it clear that theycwant film to be creatively distinct. It would also reflect negatively on the studio, since re-hiring Johnson would signify they did so because they had no choice.

  • September 11, 2017 at 9:53 pm
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    Interesting. I know he’s said often that he’s had fun making this film and would like to do it again but I can definitely imagine he would love a break too. I hope he at least will be involved in rewriting the script.

  • September 11, 2017 at 11:34 pm
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    If Rian Johnson isn’t directing 9, then Joe Johnston will be the director…..you can take that to the bank.

    • September 11, 2017 at 11:37 pm
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      Either way… I’d like to see Johnston involved. Get him to design some new ships.

    • September 12, 2017 at 12:07 am
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      I would take it to the bank; and deposit the check since it’s completely untrue.

    • September 12, 2017 at 2:12 am
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      And if Joe Johnston can’t do it, it’ll be T.C. Johnstone.

  • September 12, 2017 at 12:32 am
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    I find it a little strange that they are promoting this movie in Japan 3 months before it opens. Nothing new to share (such as footage), just the same old questions followed by the same old lack of answers.

    All seems rather pointless.

    • September 12, 2017 at 12:57 am
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      Considering Japan is now a major market for SW content, it’s very smart.

      • September 12, 2017 at 1:02 am
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        Yes, but why 3 months prior to the premier? When the movie opens, the cast and crew will fly back out there.

        • September 12, 2017 at 1:07 am
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          With the current lack of Trailers, good idea to get the PR machine / social media moving in Japan. Rian will be a busy bee in the USA as the date approaches. I’m always in favor of starting early !

          • September 12, 2017 at 1:16 am
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            Yup, he’ll sure be busy, that and working on Episode IX.

  • September 12, 2017 at 2:08 am
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    I wonder if JGL has “voiced” the Porgs … in the same way Bill Hader voiced BB-8.

  • September 12, 2017 at 3:09 am
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    wake me, when we have some kind of news…

  • September 12, 2017 at 3:33 am
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    Dave Filoni?

  • September 12, 2017 at 5:14 am
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    What about Guillermo del Toro for SW IX

    • September 12, 2017 at 2:10 pm
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      Would love to see him take on an Old Republic trilogy.

      • September 12, 2017 at 6:28 pm
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        Or Obi Wan movie.

  • September 12, 2017 at 2:35 pm
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    Matthew Vaughn !!!!!!!!!!111oneoneone

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