This article contains spoilers for Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson has recently defended one controversial death scene in his movie, eight years after the backlash ensued. The Last Jedi, also known as Episode 8, was released back in 2017 under Lucasfilm and Disney, following 2015’s The Force Awakens. Starring Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and the return of Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, the movie became one of the most divisive Star Wars projects, with many claiming it was full of character contradictions and turned a blind eye to fan theories. Nevertheless, it maintained a high rating in polls and no one could besmirch its stunning visuals.

Sci-Fi fans generally don’t hold The Last Jedi in high regard, including The Best War Games’s own Jake Fillery placing it third last in the Star Wars movie ranking. Additionally, the final film in the sequel trilogy, The Rise of Skywalker, provoked even more backlash, including the often frowned-upon decision to give Rey a surname. The sequel trilogy certainly has its ups and downs, but Johnson is standing by one of his decisions to kill off an important character.

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By Jo Craig

Rian Johnson Defends Snoke's Death in Star Wars: The Last Jedi

During an interview with Rolling Stone, Johnson explained the decision to kill off Andy Serkis’ Snoke, when J.J. Abrams' The Force Awakens centered on the villain to be the new Emperor. “I took great pains to use him in the most dramatically impactful way, which was to then take Kylo’s character to the next level and set him up as well as I possibly could,” Johnson explained, and emphasized the audience’s perspective, saying, “I guess it all comes down to your point of view. I thought, ‘This is such a compelling and complicated villain. This is who it makes sense going forward to build around.’” In the same interview, Johnson poured more fuel on The Last Jedi fire, but hoped the movie would be reevaluated in time, similar to how the prequel trilogy is more beloved now than it initially was upon release.

I took great pains to use him in the most dramatically impactful way, which was to then take Kylo’s character to the next level and set him up as well as I possibly could. I guess it all comes down to your point of view. I thought, ‘This is such a compelling and complicated villain. This is who it makes sense going forward to build around.

Fans recently thought Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws game made up for certain sequel trilogy mishaps, but some still can’t abide by the film’s discord regarding character progression. Johnson delved further into his decision to pivot from Snoke to Driver’s Kylo Ren, saying, "That was, in reading J.J.’s script, and watching the dailies, and seeing the power of Adam Driver’s character.” The director noted Rey and Kylo’s compelling connection as “incredibly powerful,” and landed the topic with, “This is all a matter of perspective and phrasing, but to me, I didn’t easily dispense with Snoke.”

Luckily, the future of the Star Wars franchise promises exciting upcoming projects, including The Mandalorian & Grogu feature film, set to conclude Din Djarin’s arc, and a new film starring The Last Jedi’s protagonist. A recent rumor suggested Daisy Ridley’s return as Rey in Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s film was delayed, which was a devastating blow for fans of the character after the project’s announcement during Star Wars Celebration 2023.

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Release Date: December 13, 2017
Runtime: 152 minutes
Director: Rian Johnson
Writers: Rian Johnson
Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, Ram Bergman, Leifur B. Dagfinnsson
Prequel(s): Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Sequel(s): Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker