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  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Sci-Fi Movies
  4. Star Wars Movies
  5. Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Here’s why Rian Johnson decided against answering the mystery of Snoke in Star Wars: The Last Jedi

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By Bradley Russell published 10 January 2018

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It was all just Snoke and mirrors, wasn’t it? Star Wars: The Last Jedi might have had a shocking moment (or twelve), but it never addressed that intriguing itch we were all aching to see scratched before we headed into theaters: Just who the hell is the First Order’s Supreme Leader? Director Rian Johnson, though, has finally opened up about why he didn’t open up.

Speaking at a Bafta Q&A event (H/T ComicBook.com), Johnson laid bare for the first time about what made him choose not to go for an exposition explosion for Snoke’s secretive backstory. The answer is pretty simple: pacing.

“If suddenly I had paused one of the scenes to give a 30-second monologue about who [Snoke] was, it would have kind of stopped the scene in its tracks, I realised,” Johnson reveals.

I mean, there are probably better ways – and I’m sure Johnson knows that – to reveal a character’s backstory than a straight-up monologue. He clearly was ambivalent on whether or not he should share any details, however, stating, "It was a tough thing, even though I knew some fans were interested in it I also knew it wasn’t something that dramatically had a place in this movie.”

There you have it. No more Snoke, right? Well, you never know... Johnson has left the door open just a crack so any future movie, including possibly Star Wars 9, can choose to reveal just who the bloody hell Snoke was. "Hopefully it can be addressed elsewhere or even J.J. [Abrams] may address it in [Star Wars 9],” Johnson says.

You may like
  • Andy Serkis as Snoke in Star Wars: The Last Jedi Andy Serkis says playing Snoke in The Force Awakens was "a massive challenge" because he was constantly "evolving"
  • Adam Driver in Star Wars: The Last Jedi Almost 10 years later, one Star Wars fan has spotted a big difference between The Last Jedi trailer and the movie
  • Poe Dameron in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker One of the most infamous Star Wars lines was added in reshoots, Oscar Isaac says

Agree with Johnson’s reasoning? Still wanted to hear more about Snoke in The Last Jedi? Let us know in the comments!

Image: Lucasfilm

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Bradley Russell
Bradley Russell
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Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

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