Rian Johnson: ‘Hell yes, it’s time’ for diversity in Star Wars directors
Johnson called for more diversity among creators in the Star Wars franchise.
The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson has said “hell yes it’s time” for a woman or a person of colour to helm a Star Wars film.
Johnson, who was best known for directing the 2012 thriller Looper before he was tasked with taking on Episode VIII in the franchise, said he would like to see a director who is not a white man take on a Star Wars story.
He told a press conference: “Hell yes it’s time, there are so many incredibly talented female directors, directors of colour out there, and so many that I would love to see play in this universe. I would love it to happen.”
The Han Solo spin-off film, entitled Solo, is being directed by Ron Howard after Phil Lord and Chris Miller departed the project while Abrams will return to direct the upcoming Episode IX after Colin Trevorrow parted ways with the film.
Johnson also spoke about the importance of diversity on screen as well as off, saying; “It felt right, it felt good as I was writing it, and for Star Wars to reflect the world a little more closely as it looks around us – all movies are trying to do that more and more, and that is nothing but a good thing.”
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is released in UK cinemas on December 14.