Rian Johnson: How Close Is The Last Jedi To Empire Strikes Back?

Fans have endlessly complained about Star Wars: The Force Awakens being too close to A New Hope, and they're all curious if The Last Jedi will be its own thing or will it just be another rehash of Empire Strikes Back. Director Rian Johnson admits that the movie does have its similarities with ESB, but it will be its own thing entirely.

Talking to Entertainment Weekly, Johnson explains:

"I just tried to kind of ignore that aspect of it and have the story take the shape that it needed to. But look, Rey is off in a remote location with a Jedi master, and the Resistance is in a tough spot, and we're intercutting those stories. By its very nature, there are some structural parallels. But these are new characters, they're dealing with new things, and that ultimately is what defines the movie. So I think that's going to be unique."

That sounds well and good, but there's also the fact that there will be a walker assault ala the Battle of Hoth as well, plus the porgs are admittedly similar to the ewoks from Return of the Jedi.

Then again, the Star Wars fandom already has a lot of complainers, and it's best to stay optimistic before the movie comes out. Unlike the Han Solo film, it looks like Kathleen Kennedy is incredibly pleased with what Rian Johnson brings to the table. Let's hope the fans will be pleased too.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi comes out Dec. 15.

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