The Star Wars universe is becoming increasingly complex and convoluted as more updates emerge about the galaxy far, far away.Credit: LucasfilmThe Controversy of The Last JediStar Wars: Episode VIII–The Last Jedi arrived in 2017 as the bold middle chapter of the sequel trilogy, picking up immediately after the events of Star Wars: Episode VII–The Force Awakens (2015) and continuing the Skywalker Saga as Episode VIII. Written and directed by Rian Johnson, the film follows Rey’s (Daisy Ridley) attempt to draw Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) out of exile on Ahch-To, only to find a broken Jedi Master wrestling with his past and the consequences of Ben Solo’s (Adam Driver) fall.Meanwhile, the Resistance—led by Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher)—struggles to survive the First Order’s relentless pursuit, pushing characters like Finn (John Boyega) and newcomer Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) into desperate missions that test their beliefs. At the same time, Kylo Ren’s internal conflict deepens as he forms an unexpected bond with Rey, setting the stage for one of the film’s most talked-about twists: the abrupt death of Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) and a dramatic shift in the balance of power.Credit: LucasfilmPositioned squarely in the center of the sequel trilogy, The Last Jedi serves as the thematic hinge between the nostalgia-heavy return of familiar heroes in Episode VII and the concluding beats that would follow in 2019’s Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker.Despite strong critical reviews, The Last Jedi became one of the most polarizing entries in the franchise’s history. Much of the backlash stemmed from Johnson’s willingness to subvert established expectations, from revealing Rey’s parents as “nobodies” to reimagining Luke Skywalker as a disillusioned hermit who had lost faith in the Jedi legacy.Fans debated these choices fiercely: some embraced the film’s message of failure, growth, and letting go of the past, while others argued it conflicted with the character arcs they had envisioned for decades. Additional criticism focused on the movie’s tonal balance—particularly its humor—and the Canto Bight storyline, which many felt slowed the pacing without offering meaningful payoff.Credit: LucasfilmThe conversation soon expanded beyond the film itself, with actress Kelly Marie Tran becoming the target of online harassment that ignited broader discussions about toxicity within fandom spaces. Even years later, The Last Jedi stands as a divisive but undeniably influential chapter in the ongoing evolution of Star Wars storytelling.That said, Lucasfilm had signed on Rian Johnson to develop another Star Wars trilogy for the franchise. However, recent news confirms that it is no longer the case, and Lucasfilm has shelved Johnson’s project.Credit: LucasfilmStar Wars Trilogy Officially No Longer in Active DevelopmentLast month, The Hollywood Reporter interviewed Johnson, who revealed a disappointing development about the series.“Johnson had signed on to mount a fresh Star Wars trilogy in 2017, and while that plan is effectively dead, he isn’t saying goodbye yet,” The Hollywood Reporter wrote. “‘A part of my brain will always be in Star Wars,’ he says. ‘It’s so much a part of me and the way I think.'”Then, following that, Johnson spoke to Radio Andy, confirming once again that the project was not actively in development.Credit: Lucasfilm“Making The Last Jedi was, like, the best experience of my life,” Johnson said. “And I’m still tight with the folks at Lucasfilm. We’re not actively working on it right now, but if, down the line, it makes sense to come back into that universe, I’d be thrilled.”It was only a few years ago that the Knives Out director shared excitement at returning to the galaxy far, far away.“I’ve stayed close to Kathleen [Kennedy], and we get together often and talk about it,” Johnson explained to Empire in 2022. “It’s just at this point a matter of schedule and when it can happen. It would break my heart if I were finished, if I couldn’t get back in that sandbox at some point.”Credit: LucasfilmThe news of Johnson’s departure from the franchise comes as Lucasfilm readies its big return to movie theaters with Jon Favreau’s The Mandalorian and Grogu (2026) and Shawn Levy’s Star Wars: Starfighter (2027). Alongside these projects that are either in post-production or currently in production, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has previously confirmed multiple other movies in various stages of development.Those include a New Jedi Order project from Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, a Force origin movie from James Mangold, a Mando-Verse crossover from Dave Filoni, and potentially a movie from Taika Waititi. Recently, news came to light that Disney cancelled a Kylo Ren project called The Hunt for Ben Solo, which would have followed The Rise of Skywalker. Since its cancellation became public, fans have rallied behind the project, hoping Disney and Lucasfilm will greenlight it once more.How do you feel about the cancellation of Rian Johnson’s Star Wars trilogy? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!The post Disney Cancels Upcoming ‘Star Wars’ Movies, Cuts Confirmed appeared first on Inside the Magic.