Just beforeStar Wars: The Force Awakensopened in December,The LA Timeschatted with screenwriterLawrence Kasdan, who had this to say about directorRian Johnsontaking the helm ofStar Wars: Episode VIII:
“Rian Johnson is a friend of mine — he’s going to make some weird thing. If you’ve seen Rian’s work, you know it’s not going be like anything that’s ever been in ‘Star Wars.'”
Now, in another interview withThe LA Times, one withOscar Isaacfor his upcoming villainous role inX-Men: Apocalypse, Johnson’s weirdness is being reaffirmed. Anyone who’s familiar with (and a fan of) Johnson’s work on such films asBrick,The Brothers Bloom,Looper, and evenBreaking Badmight not call his style “weird” exactly, especially not in a universe as vast and varied as that ofStar Wars,but you may certainly expect Johnson to explore some of that universe’s previously unseen corners.
Here’s what Isaac had to say about Johnson’s direction forStar Wars: Episode VIII:
“I would agree with [Kasdan]. Rian is definitely going to places and investigating things that haven’t really been done in the ‘Star Wars’ universe. For me, it’s so fun getting to explore different things that I wouldn’t have expected in this universe. In some ways it feels like we’re making an independent film. Certain things we get to play with – this kind of intimacy that we get to find – it’s special. It’s been really fun.”
In addition to Isaac’s confirmed return forStar Wars: Episode VIII, Johnson himself confirmed Poe Dameron’s pal BB-8 will also be coming back. He did so in response to a concerned fan’s question about the droid’s status:
Star Wars: Episode VIIIopens June 07, 2025 and also starsMark Hamill,Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie,Andy Serkis,Benicio Del Toro,Laura Dern, andKelly Marie Tran.
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