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.
『スター・ウォーズ/最後のジェダイ』スペシャル・ファンミーティングに来日ゲストのライアン・ジョンソン監督が登場。世界初解禁情報として「僕のとても仲良しの俳優、ジョセフ・ゴードン=レヴィットがボイスアクトで登場しているよ」との情報が。#starwars #TheLastJedi pic.twitter.com/OXAbZ2lnUr
— PREMIEREPORT/プレミアポート (@premiereport) September 11, 2017
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, Looper, Brick, 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:
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.
He didn’t say he’s not directing ep IX and that’s a lot. 😛
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.
Yup. That sounds like a ‘no’ to me.
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.
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.
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.
Agreed wholeheartedly. I smell moments that fans are NOT going to like.
If I had to guess, I would say you are banking on that.
I don’t htink that any fan wants a SW movie to suck. That would be kind of masochistic wouldn’t it? 🙂
Read this cat’s comment history and tell me you don’t come to the same conclusion as I did.
I am familiar with Kent and his affinity for using CAPSLOCK. This was more like a rethorical question 🙂
Silly me. Hard to decipher reality these days…
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.
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).
I’m sure the majority of fans in the theater in 1980 didn’t ‘like’ that Vader was Luke’s father…but sht happens.
Lightening doesn’t strike twice, though.
Probably just waiting on the outrageous sum he asked for to be green lighted from Iger….. 🙂
I’m impressed he speaks Japanese, on top of everything else. What a dude. Can anyone here translate a full transcript?
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
He has the checked shirt, glasses and the beard … Can’t put my finger on it but he reminds me of someone.
ha ha well played sir
That definitely wasn’t a no. Sounds like their still waiting to announce Johnson as the director or he hasn’t decided yet.
Noh, but I think it’s pretty safe to say we’ll all be pretty blown away by who they chose.
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.
Agreed, I’m not sold at all till I see Ep8.
Stop pretending that you’re even open-minded. You have already declared Ep. 8 a disappointment without even seeing it.
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.
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.
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.
Truth is nothing is 100 percent original.
“except for the lack of originality”
Ok, that’s a pretty big exception.
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.
And still, I’ve heard from people that its not a film that requires further viewings.
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.
Plot seems seems to be the emphasis in your argument, I’m not necessarily referring to plot.
I see. Thanks for the clarification 🙂
I’d love to see Tommy Wiseau get a shot, he’s very much in the George Lucas school of directing.
kylo: i did not kill han, its bullshit, i did not. oh hi rey.
either way the movie is not coming out may 2019. No chance in hell, especially if there is no script
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
FYI – I’m loving everything I’ve seen thus far for Untitled: Han Solo.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
[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.
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.
confirmed by Johnson – no Grey Jedi in his universe
Grey by any other name…
Grey Jedi in TLJ is a great fan myth, based on nothing.
Really?
He Force chokes her? Did I miss something?
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.
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”…
Well we’ve had over 40 years of conditioning, so a traditional plot twist isn’t going to cut it anymore.
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.
Agreed.
We’ll have a hell of a gift next month though: Full preview, official poster and a new director
announcement 🙂
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.
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.
Except that waiting until Dec. is not an option, considering.
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.
And what a director they’ve got 😉
You’re saying you know who the director is?
No
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.
I have no final opinion on Rian’s skills till we all see 8.
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.
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.
If Rian Johnson isn’t directing 9, then Joe Johnston will be the director…..you can take that to the bank.
Either way… I’d like to see Johnston involved. Get him to design some new ships.
I would take it to the bank; and deposit the check since it’s completely untrue.
And if Joe Johnston can’t do it, it’ll be T.C. Johnstone.
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.
Considering Japan is now a major market for SW content, it’s very smart.
Yes, but why 3 months prior to the premier? When the movie opens, the cast and crew will fly back out there.
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 !
Yup, he’ll sure be busy, that and working on Episode IX.
I wonder if JGL has “voiced” the Porgs … in the same way Bill Hader voiced BB-8.
wake me, when we have some kind of news…
Dave Filoni?
What about Guillermo del Toro for SW IX
Would love to see him take on an Old Republic trilogy.
Or Obi Wan movie.
Matthew Vaughn !!!!!!!!!!111oneoneone