Fact check: Rian Johnson used the character of Luke Skywalker the way I use a role of toilet paper.

1. Summary of the results

The original statement represents an extreme criticism of Rian Johnson's handling of Luke Skywalker's character in The Last Jedi. While there was indeed significant fan backlash against Johnson's portrayal ^[1], the situation is more nuanced than the statement suggests. Johnson maintained that his interpretation was meant to treat Luke as a "true mythic hero" who faces and overcomes personal struggles ^[2], rather than diminishing the character.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important perspectives are missing from the original statement:

• Johnson's Creative Vision: The director argues that the film's ending actually builds up Luke's mythical status rather than destroying it, showing him embracing his legendary role and inspiring a new generation ^{[3] [3]}
• Professional Response: Despite intense criticism, Johnson remained professional and stood by his creative decisions ^[4], particularly in the face of toxic and racist backlash ^[5]
• Critical Debate: While many fans argue Johnson misunderstood Luke's core traits, particularly regarding his optimism and protection of family ^[1], Johnson contends his portrayal was "100% consistent" with the original trilogy, though this claim is disputed by critics ^[1]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The statement presents several problematic elements:

• Oversimplification: The statement reduces a complex creative decision to a crude analogy, ignoring the thoughtful (though controversial) reasoning behind Johnson's portrayal
• Context of Criticism: While there was significant backlash, sources indicate much of the negative feedback came from a "vocal minority" ^[6], suggesting the criticism may not be as universal as implied
• Beneficiaries of Controversy: This type of inflammatory rhetoric benefits:
• Social media platforms and content creators who profit from engagement around Star Wars controversies
• Those seeking to maintain a more traditional, unchanging version of Luke's character
• Those opposing creative risks or changes in established franchises

The extreme nature of the original statement appears to be part of the broader pattern of intense online criticism that Johnson faced ^[4], rather than a balanced assessment of the creative decisions made in the film.