I’ve Wondered If Rian Johnson Spoke To J.J. Abrams About The Snoke Twist Before Taking On The Last Jedi. Someone Asked Him About It

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The Last Jedi“. As soon as the review embargo lifted, I published a 4.5 star critique on TopMob, and I still firmly believe in every argument I presented – from praising the surprising plot twists and visual aesthetic to expressing mixed feelings about the Canto Bight narrative. However, after watching J.J. Abrams’ “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” and observing how it attempted to undo much of what Johnson had done, I can’t help but ponder the nature of their discussions during the production of “The Last Jedi”, especially concerning the eventual portrayal of Andy Serkis’ character, Supreme Leader Snoke.

As a devoted cinephile, I owe Rolling Stone a heartfelt thanks for shedding some light on the intriguing discussions between Rian Johnson and J.J. Abrams during the creation of ‘The Last Jedi.’ In a recent interview, Johnson delves into the upcoming season 2 of ‘Poker Face’ (now streaming in its entirety with a Peacock subscription). However, he also shares insights about their conversations regarding Snoke’s shocking end in ‘The Last Jedi.’ While watching ‘The Force Awakens,’ one might suspect that Snoke is being primed as the main antagonist for the sequel trilogy… but Johnson believed it was more gripping to use him as a stepping stone for Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren.

In reviewing J.J.’s script, daily footage, and observing Adam Driver’s character, I found the interrogation scene between Rey and Kylo in the initial movie particularly captivating. The intricate villain portrayed was a source of fascination for me. To put it simply, I didn’t find Snoke easy to dismiss. Instead, I made an effort to utilize him dramatically effectively, which ultimately served to develop Kylo’s character further and prepare him as thoroughly as possible.

Instead of J.J. Abrams considering a reflection of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine’s relationship dynamic for Kylo Ren and Supreme Leader Snoke, Rian Johnson opted for a more impactful approach by introducing something original and distinct to the characters rather than simply replicating what viewers have previously experienced.

According to Johnson, during their talks, they primarily focused on the overall direction for the Star Wars franchise. However, at that time, Abrams was busy working on The Force Awakens, leaving Johnson to explore and develop the ideas within the established canon on his own. This is as reported by the director of Knives Out.

In our interaction, I got a deep understanding of him by spending extended time with him. I delved into his thought processes behind all his decisions. Despite this, it was me who took charge and produced the film. It’s worth noting that he was deeply involved in The Force Awakens at that time. Looking back, I believe none of the choices made were aimed at reversing previous actions. Instead, they were driven by a desire to expand upon the story J.J. had written, which I admired, and the characters he created, which I cherished, and to advance them further.

Rian Johnson faced the challenge of upholding the esteemed legacy of the Star Wars saga, particularly the original trilogy where fans hold “Star Wars” (or “A New Hope”) in high regard, but generally consider “The Empire Strikes Back” as the best film. This is due to its impact on viewers after the events of the previous installment. The iconic 1977 blockbuster follows a classic hero’s journey and the battle between good and evil, but “The Empire Strikes Back” delivers a shocking revelation about the hero’s parentage, causes him to lose his hand, and witnesses his friend being encased in carbonite.

The writer/director of The Last Jedi was strictly guided by LucasFilm and studio president Kathy Kennedy to create a certain atmosphere in the movie. Although some viewers didn’t appreciate the outcome, he chose what he believed was the most intense and fitting direction for the storyline. Johnson further explained…

Kathy mentioned that they’re considering a candidate for handling the Empire series. I treated this task with great importance, perhaps even more so than others might have preferred. To me, taking on this project wasn’t simply about making references to the Empire – it was about sincerely emulating what the Empire achieved.

Regardless of whether you adore it or despise it, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” plays a significant role in the series, and for those who are fans, they can watch this hit movie as many times as they want by subscribing to Disney+.

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2025-07-15 01:38