The Last Jedi Director Doesn't Seem To Mind If JJ Abrams Retcons His Movie

Star Wars: The Last Jedi was an unusually controversial film for a major tentpole franchise, leading to sharp divisions among some fans. One sticky point of contention was a plot point about the parentage of the new Jedi-in-training, Rey. That has led to speculation that JJ Abrams could change the plot point for Episode 9, and Last Jedi director Rian Johnson seems okay with the idea.

The first film in the new trilogy, The Force Awakens, seemed to imply some mysterious or important connection hiding in her heritage. That led to a shocking moment in The Last Jedi when the villainous Kylo Ren revealed to Rey that her parents were no one of significance, and instead just "filthy junk traders." Some fans have suggested that Episode 9 could effectively retcon that move by explaining that Kylo Ren was lying in some way.

Now, Johnson has suggested that he wouldn't be bothered if Star Wars: Episode IX from JJ Abrams retcons some of the storytelling from The Last Jedi. Johnson was asked directly by MTV News if he would be bothered if Episode IX retcons Rey's lineage.

"Like I said, man, I want to let go of all my expectations," Johnson replied. "I want to sit back. I want to be entertained. I want to be surprised. I want to be thrilled. I want him to do stuff that I wasn't expecting him to do, and just go along for the ride. For me, that's why I go to the movies, you know?"

Explaining the reveal of Rey's parents, who were nothing more than "filthy junk traders" according to Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), Johnson said, "We're not here to give Rey an easy time; we're here to put her on the hard path so that she has to. Because that's the path of a hero."

Abrams reportedly had a different idea for Rey's parents, so it'll be interesting to see if he decides to retcon Rey's parents in Episode IX.

Very little is known about the story of Episode IX, but it's expected to wrap up the new trilogy that began with 2015's The Force Awakens. Abrams also directed The Force Awakens, and he wasn't originally attached to Episode IX until director Colin Trevorrow was released.

Also in the interview, which you can watch in the embed above, Johnson confirms that he's still working on his new trilogy of Star Wars movies, while he also talks excitedly about the new Star Wars movies from the creators of Game of Thrones.

Episode IX releases in theatres this December.