Rian Johnson

An avid filmmaker from the age of seven, Rian Johnson honed his creative abilities from childhood on. He enrolled in the film program at the University of Southern California, graduating in 1996, and scored his first major screen credit as the editor of Lucky McKee’s May (2002), a gothic horror picture, a la Frankenstein. Three years later, Rian debuted with his first feature, Brick, a noir crime drama starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. He then released The Brothers Bloom (2009), a con-man story starring Mark Ruffalo, Adrien Brody and Rachel Weisz.

In addition to features, Rian has directed a number of shorts, taking inspiration from Buster Keaton’s comedic silent films. And, after working with Joseph Gordon-Levitt on Brick, the two shot a short film in Paris titled Escargots. In 2010, he directed an episode of Breaking Bad, for the show’s third season. Lastly, as a folk music fan (he’s a folk singer and banjo player himself), The Mountain Goats asked Rian to direct a music video for their song “Woke Up New” and a live performance film of their 2009 album The Life of the World to Come.

Rian has also directed several episodes of Breaking Bad and last year released his third highly acclaimed film, Looper, starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt and Paul Dano.

Currently Rian is writing and directing Star Wars: Episode XIII.