Popverse's top stories

• Need a last-minute costume? Critical Role and Spirit Halloween have you covered
• Here's how to watch all the New York Comic Con 2025 panels
• Hazbin Hotel actor explains how Alastor's place on the aro/ace spectrum helped him understand why the show deeply connected with fans

What a fascinating career Rian Johnson has built for himself. These days, he's considered the master of murder mysteries, having crafted not only the wildly successful Knives Out film franchise, but the much-beloved Natasha Lyonne vehicle Poker Face. Before that, though, Johnson was the subject of conversation between so many Star Wars fans, and even before that, was breaking new ground in science fiction thrillers with his time travel piece, Looper.

Now, it appears that Johnson is headed back to the realm of sci-fi, but before you get any funny ideas in your head about a certain Jedi Trilogy, know this - his next project is going to be much more Looper than Lucasfilm.

We're talking about this after a recent interview Johnson did with Empire Online, ahead of the release of his next Benoit Blanc thriller, Wake Up Dead Man. Asked about his next cinematic project Johnson was hesitant to reveal details, but happy to talk about general tone.

"The most exciting thing right now," Johnson told his interviewer, "Is this idea I have in my head for the next thing I'm gonna make, and I think ultimately, that's all you can do, is just kind of follow your nose [...] If I had to define it genre-wise, I'd say it harkens back to the '70s paranoid thrillers. It's got a light sci-fi element to it."

1970s paranoid thrillers with a "light sci-fi" element? Count us both intrigued and dusting off our copies of Phil Kaufman's Invasion of the Body Snatchers remake. As for our Kylo Ren cosplays and Luke Skywalker comics collection, though, those might stay in the closet for a little while. That Rian Johnson Star Wars Trilogy is looking less and less likely by the day.

Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man comes to Netflix December 12.

Get to know, understand, and love the Star Wars franchise more with our Star Wars watch order, guide to all the upcoming Star Wars movies & TV shows, and all the Star Wars movies and Star Wars TV shows ranked.