The Last Jedi

The Last Jedi
source
Name	The Last Jedi
Director	Rian Johnson
Producer	Kathleen Kennedy, Ram Bergman
Writer	Rian Johnson
Starring	Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson
Music	John Williams
Cinematography	Steve Yedlin
Edited	Bob Ducsay
Studio	Lucasfilm, Bad Robot
Distributor	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Released	December 15, 2017
Runtime	152 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

The Last Jedi is a 2017 American epic space opera film directed and written by Rian Johnson and produced by Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Pictures, continuing the sequel trilogy that began with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The film advances arcs for characters created by George Lucas and develops themes introduced in the Original trilogy and Sequel trilogy (Star Wars), while engaging creative personnel from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The production involved collaboration between veterans of Star Wars and new contributors associated with contemporary franchises such as Looper (film) and Brick (film).

Plot

The narrative follows Rey (Star Wars), Luke Skywalker, General Leia Organa, and Kylo Ren as the Resistance (Star Wars) flees the First Order, with events spanning locations including Crait, Ahch-To, and D'Qar. The story opens with a chase sequence involving pilots from Poe Dameron, Finn (Star Wars), and Rose Tico attempting to disable a tracking device installed by Captain Phasma under orders from Supreme Leader Snoke, which recalls tactics from Battle of Hoth and evacuation scenes reminiscent of Yavin. Rey seeks training and answers from Luke, leading to confrontations invoking the legacy of Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi Order, and the mythology explored in The Phantom Menace and Revenge of the Sith. Parallel plots examine political and moral dilemmas involving leaders like Leia and commanders such as Admiral Holdo, culminating in a climax on a salt planet where lightsaber duels, Force manifestations, and strategic gambits echo motifs from Battle of Endor and Duel of the Fates.

Production

Development began after the commercial and critical success of Star Wars: The Force Awakens with creative leadership by Kathleen Kennedy at Lucasfilm and oversight by The Walt Disney Company. Rian Johnson, known for Looper (film) and Knives Out, wrote an original screenplay that diverged from early franchise outlines associated with J.J. Abrams and the writers room convened for the sequel trilogy, prompting discussions among stakeholders including Alan Horn and producers such as Ram Bergman. Principal photography used stages at Pinewood Studios and on-location units in Skellig Michael (doubling for Ahch-To) and La Palma, with cinematography by Steve Yedlin and practical effects supervised by teams experienced on Rogue One. Visual effects were produced by industrial partners including Industrial Light & Magic, Weta Digital, and Framestore, integrating digital work with makeup effects from artists who contributed to Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi. The shoot involved choreography of aerial sequences with aerial coordinators from projects like Top Gun and orchestral recording sessions coordinated with composer John Williams who previously scored Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.

Cast and Characters

Principal cast members include Mark Hamill as Luke, Carrie Fisher as Leia, Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn, Oscar Isaac as Poe, and Benicio del Toro in a supporting role; supporting and cameo appearances feature Andy Serkis, Gwendoline Christie, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, and Laura Dern. Performances draw on legacy established by actors from the Original trilogy such as Hamill and Fisher and on character arcs developed in The Force Awakens and referenced in ancillary works like Star Wars: The Last Jedi novelization and Star Wars comics. Casting decisions and character portrayals prompted commentary from industry institutions including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and led to discourse across media outlets covering cinema, franchise stewardship by Lucasfilm, and representation debates similar to those surrounding Rogue One and The Force Awakens.

Music and Soundtrack

The score was composed and conducted by John Williams, whose collaboration with Star Wars spans decades from A New Hope through the sequel trilogy; recording sessions took place at Abbey Road Studios with orchestral contractors and soloists associated with the London Symphony Orchestra. Williams introduced new motifs for characters like Rey and Kylo while reprising legacy themes such as the Force Theme and the Imperial March, creating leitmotifs that echo thematic work from Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi and The Empire Strikes Back. The soundtrack album was released by Walt Disney Records and was promoted in tie-ins with concerts at venues like Royal Albert Hall and festivals including San Diego Comic-Con.

Marketing and Release

Promotional strategy included teaser trailers unveiled at events such as D23 Expo, interactive campaigns with partners like Hasbro, and cross-promotions on networks such as ABC and BBC. Premiere events were held in Los Angeles and London, with distribution through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and staggered international rollouts coordinated with exhibitors including AMC Theatres and Cinemark. Ancillary products included novelizations, comic tie-ins by Marvel Comics, collectible figures from Hasbro, and a home media release featuring bonus content similar to special editions of Return of the Jedi.

Reception and Legacy

Critical reception was polarized, with several critics praising Rian Johnson's direction, performances from the ensemble, and Williams' score, while other commentators and fan communities debated tonal shifts and narrative decisions, generating discourse across publications like The New York Times, The Guardian, and Variety. The film grossed over a billion dollars worldwide, contributing to box-office records tracked by Box Office Mojo and sparking analysis by scholars of franchise cinema at institutions such as UCLA Film & Television Archive and British Film Institute. Its legacy includes influence on subsequent productions within the Star Wars franchise, the creation of expanded-universe content, and its role in debates about continuity stewardship by Lucasfilm and franchise strategy under Disney leadership.

Category:Star Wars films Category:2017 films