While Star Wars: The Last Jedi was very well received by critics, the film has since gone on to be quite the polarizing flick, with some fans going so far as to call it the worst film in the saga’s history.

RELATED – Why Hardcore Star Wars Fans Are Wrong About The Last Jedi

Of course, we live in the age of the internet, and with that, more than ever before, filmmakers are able to see instant reactions to their work. Director Rian Johnson has seen all the criticism across the web, and speaking with Business Insider, gave his reaction to what fans are saying:

“Having been a Star Wars fan my whole life, and having spent most of my life on the other side of the curb and in that fandom, it softens the blow a little bit.

I’m aware through my own experience that, first of all, the fans are so passionate, they care so deeply — sometimes they care very violently at me on Twitter. But it’s because they care about these things, and it hurts when you’re expecting something specific and you don’t get it from something that you love. It always hurts, so I don’t take it personally if a fan reacts negatively and lashes out on me on Twitter. That’s fine. It’s my job to be there for that. Like you said, every fan has a list of stuff they want a Star Wars movie to be and they don’t want a Star Wars movie to be. You’re going to find very few fans out there whose lists line up.

And I also know the same way the original movies were personal for Lucas. Lucas never made a Star Wars movie by sitting down and thinking, ‘What do the fans want to see?’ And I knew if I wrote wondering what the fans would want, as tempting as that is, it wouldn’t work, because people would still be shouting at me, ‘F— you, you ruined Star Wars,’ and I would make a bad movie. And ultimately, that’s the one thing nobody wants.”

I’d personally consider that a very measured and professional response to the backlash, but am aware that some fans may take umbrage with his comments about Lucas, and the comments regarding making a film they want to see.

In the eyes of many fans, they know exactly what they want to see and how characters should act, and to betray that is to ruin a property they take pride in.

But what did you think of his comments? Let us know your thoughts down below!

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SOURCE: Business Insider