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Rian Johnson

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Rian Johnson

Rian Craig Johnson (born December 17, 1973) is an American filmmaker. He made his directorial debut with the neo-noir mystery film Brick (2005), which received positive reviews and grossed nearly $4 million on a $450,000 budget. Going on to make higher-profile films, Johnson achieved mainstream recognition for writing and directing the science-fiction thriller Looper (2012) to critical and commercial success. Johnson landed his largest project when he wrote and directed the space opera Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), which grossed over $1 billion. He returned to the mystery genre with the Knives Out film series (2019–present), which earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay. Additionally, Johnson is known for directing three highly acclaimed episodes for the television series Breaking Bad (2008–2013), namely "Ozymandias", "Fly", and "Fifty-One"; for the last, he received the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Drama Series in 2013. He created the murder mystery series Poker Face for Peacock starring Natasha Lyonne. Johnson is known for his longstanding collaboration with actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, who has appeared in all of his feature films to date in varying capacity. He was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023.

Infobox

Born
Rian Craig Johnson (1973-12-17) December 17, 1973 (age 52)Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S.
Alma mater
University of Southern California
Occupations
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Years active
1990–present
Known for
mw- Brick (2005)Looper (2012)Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)Knives Out trilogy (2019–2025)Poker Face (2023–2025)
Spouse
mw- Karina Longworth (m. 2018)
Relatives
Nathan Johnson (cousin)

Tables

· Filmography › Feature film
2005
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2008
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2012
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2017
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2019
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2022
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2025
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
Year
Title
Director
Writer
Producer
Notes
2005
Brick
Yes
Yes
No
Also editor
2008
The Brothers Bloom
Yes
Yes
No
2012
Looper
Yes
Yes
No
2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Yes
Yes
No
2019
Knives Out
Yes
Yes
Yes
2022
Glass Onion
Yes
Yes
Yes
2025
Wake Up Dead Man
Yes
Yes
Yes
· Filmography › Short film
1990
Ninja Ko, the Origami Master
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
1997
Evil Demon Golfball from Hell!!!
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2001
Ben Boyer and the Phenomenology of Automobile Marketing
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2002
The Psychology of Dream Analysis
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
Year
Title
Director
Writer
Producer
Editor
1990
Ninja Ko, the Origami Master
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
1997
Evil Demon Golfball from Hell!!!
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2001
Ben Boyer and the Phenomenology of Automobile Marketing
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2002
The Psychology of Dream Analysis
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
· Filmography › Television
2010
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
No
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
No
2012
Yes
Role(s)
No
Notes
No
2013
Yes
Role(s)
No
Notes
No
2014
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
2023
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
Yes
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
Yes
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
No
Role(s)
Yes
Notes
Yes
2024
Role(s)
No
Notes
No
2025
Yes
Role(s)
No
Notes
Yes
Year
Title
Director
Writer
Executive producer
Episode(s)
Notes
2010
Terriers
Yes
No
No
"Manifest Destiny"
Breaking Bad
Yes
No
No
"Fly"
2012
Yes
No
No
"Fifty-One"
2013
Yes
No
No
"Ozymandias"
2014
HitRecord on TV
No
Yes
No
"RE: Trash"
2023
Poker Face
Yes
Yes
Yes
"Dead Man's Hand"
Creator
Yes
No
Yes
"The Night Shift"
Yes
No
Yes
"Escape from Shit Mountain"
No
Yes
Yes
"The Hook"
2025
Yes
No
Yes
"The Game Is a Foot"
2024
3 Body Problem
No
No
Yes
· Filmography › Other works
2008
Role(s)
The Mountain Goats
2018
Role(s)
LCD Soundsystem
Year
Title
Artist
2008
"Woke Up New"
The Mountain Goats
2018
"Oh Baby"
LCD Soundsystem
· Filmography › Other works
2020
Look Closer
Role(s)
Pokémon Go Fest
Year
Title
Product
Ref.
2020
Look Closer
Pokémon Go Fest
· Filmography › Other works
2015
Role(s)
Bryan (voice)
Notes
Episodes: "Yes, And" and "Out to Sea"
2016
Role(s)
Imperial Technician
Notes
Cameo role
2017
Role(s)
Luke Skywalker's Hand
Notes
Cameo; as Hand double
Year
Title
Role
Notes
2015
BoJack Horseman
Bryan (voice)
Episodes: "Yes, And" and "Out to Sea"
2016
Rogue One
Imperial Technician
Cameo role
2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Luke Skywalker's Hand
Cameo; as Hand double
· Filmography › Other works
1995
Omaha
Role(s)
Production Assistant
1997
Greater Than a Tiger
Role(s)
Editor
1998
Phyfutima
Role(s)
Camera Operator
2002
May
Role(s)
Editor
Year
Title
Role
1995
Omaha
Production Assistant
1997
Greater Than a Tiger
Editor
1998
Phyfutima
Camera Operator
2002
May
Editor
· Frequent collaborators
Brick
Brick
mw- WorkPerson
Brick
2005
The Brothers Bloom
2008
Looper
2012
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
2017
Knives Out
2019
Glass Onion
2022
Poker Face
2023–
Wake Up Dead Man
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
mw- WorkPerson
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
2005
2008
2012
2017
2019
2022
2023–
2025
Nora Zehetner
Nora Zehetner
mw- WorkPerson
Nora Zehetner
2005
2008
Lukas Haas
Lukas Haas
mw- WorkPerson
Lukas Haas
2005
2008
Noah Segan
Noah Segan
mw- WorkPerson
Noah Segan
2005
2008
2012
2017
2019
2022
2023–
2025
Andy Nyman
Andy Nyman
mw- WorkPerson
Andy Nyman
2008
2017
Adrien Brody
Adrien Brody
mw- WorkPerson
Adrien Brody
2008
2023–
Frank Oz
Frank Oz
mw- WorkPerson
Frank Oz
2017
2019
Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig
mw- WorkPerson
Daniel Craig
2019
2022
2025
K Callan
K Callan
mw- WorkPerson
K Callan
2019
2023–
Natasha Lyonne
Natasha Lyonne
mw- WorkPerson
Natasha Lyonne
2022
2023–
Ram Bergman(producer)
Ram Bergman(producer)
mw- WorkPerson
Ram Bergman(producer)
2005
2008
2012
2017
2019
2022
2023–
2025
Steve Yedlin(cinematographer)
Steve Yedlin(cinematographer)
mw- WorkPerson
Steve Yedlin(cinematographer)
2005
2008
2012
2017
2019
2022
2023–
2025
Bob Ducsay(editor)
Bob Ducsay(editor)
mw- WorkPerson
Bob Ducsay(editor)
2012
2017
2019
2022
2023–
2025
Nathan Johnson(composer)
Nathan Johnson(composer)
mw- WorkPerson
Nathan Johnson(composer)
2005
2008
2012
2019
2022
2023–
2025
mw- WorkPerson
2005
2008
2012
2017
2019
2022
2023–
2025
Brick
The Brothers Bloom
Looper
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Knives Out
Glass Onion
Poker Face
Wake Up Dead Man
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Nora Zehetner
Lukas Haas
Noah Segan
Andy Nyman
Adrien Brody
Frank Oz
Daniel Craig
K Callan
Natasha Lyonne
Ram Bergman(producer)
Steve Yedlin(cinematographer)
Bob Ducsay(editor)
Nathan Johnson(composer)
· Accolades
2005
Role(s)
Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize for Originality of Vision
Notes
Won
2006
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Won
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Overlooked Film
Role(s)
Nominated
Utah Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Won
2008
Role(s)
Stockholm International Film Festival Bronze Horse
Notes
Nominated
2012
Role(s)
Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Notes
Won
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Screenplay
Role(s)
Won
Utah Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Won
2013
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Nominated
North Carolina Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Won
North Carolina Film Critics Association Award for Best Director
Role(s)
Nominated
Role(s)
Nominated
Role(s)
Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Drama Series(Episode: "Fifty-One")
Notes
Won
2018
Role(s)
Empire Award for Best Director
Notes
Won
Role(s)
Nominated
Circuit Community Awards for Honorable Mentions
Role(s)
Won
Denver Film Critics Society for Best Adapted Screenplay
Role(s)
Nominated
2019
Role(s)
Fantastic Fest Audience Award
Notes
Nominated
Philadelphia Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film
Role(s)
Won
Philadelphia Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay
Role(s)
Won
Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Nominated
San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Nominated
Dublin Film Critics' Circle Award for Best Screenplay
Role(s)
Nominated
Phoenix Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay
Role(s)
Won
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Won
Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Won
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Screenplay
Role(s)
Nominated
Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Won
Utah Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Nominated
2020
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Nominated
North Carolina Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Nominated
Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle Award for Best Studio Film
Role(s)
Won
Chicago Independent Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay
Role(s)
Won
2025
Role(s)
Savannah Film Festival Award for Outstanding Achievement in Directing
Notes
Won
Year
Work
Award
Result
2005
Brick
Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize for Originality of Vision
Won
Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize
Nominated
2006
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Won
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Overlooked Film
Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Most Promising Director
Won
Citizen Kane Award for Best Directorial Revelation
Won
Deauville Film Festival Grand Special Prize
Won
San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay
Nominated
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Breakthrough Filmmaker
Nominated
Utah Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Won
Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best First Feature
Nominated
Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award
Nominated
2007
Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best First Film
Won
Empire Award for Best Male Newcomer
Nominated
2008
The Brothers Bloom
Stockholm International Film Festival Bronze Horse
Nominated
2012
Looper
Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Won
Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay
Nominated
Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Nominated
Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay
Won
Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay
Nominated
Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form)
Nominated
Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Screenplay
Won
National Board of Review Award for Best Original Screenplay
Won
Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay
Nominated
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Won
Utah Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Won
2013
Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Nominated
North Carolina Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Won
North Carolina Film Critics Association Award for Best Director
Nominated
Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation
Nominated
Writers Guild of America Award for Best Original Screenplay
Nominated
Saturn Award for Best Director
Nominated
Breaking Bad
Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Drama Series(Episode: "Fifty-One")
Won
2018
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Empire Award for Best Director
Won
Saturn Award for Best Director
Nominated
Saturn Award for Best Writing
Won
Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation (Long Form)
Nominated
Circuit Community Awards for Honorable Mentions
Won
Denver Film Critics Society for Best Adapted Screenplay
Nominated
Ray Bradbury Award for Outstanding Dramatic Presentation
Nominated
2019
Knives Out
Fantastic Fest Audience Award
Nominated
Philadelphia Film Critics Circle Award for Best Film
Won
Philadelphia Film Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay
Won
Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Screenplay
Nominated
San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Original Screenplay
Nominated
Dublin Film Critics' Circle Award for Best Screenplay
Nominated
Phoenix Critics Circle Award for Best Screenplay
Won
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay
Won
Oklahoma Film Critics Circle Award for Best Original Screenplay
Won

References

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    https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2023
  2. Time
    https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2023/
  3. "Biography"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20171108114233/http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/1072169%7C0/Rian-Johnson/biography.html
  4. Filmmaker Magazine
    http://filmmakermagazine.com/1368-rian-johnson-the-brothers-bloom/
  5. SlashFilm
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  12. Rotten Tomatoes
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  24. BBC News
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  25. Palo Alto International Film Festival
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  26. Deadline
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  27. Deadline
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  28. "JJ Abrams Returning To Director's Chair On 'Star Wars: Episode IX'"
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  33. The Hollywood Reporter
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  34. The Hollywood Reporter
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  35. Deadline Hollywood
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  36. "'Knives Out' Duo Rian Johnson & Ram Bergman Form T-Street With Funding From Valence Media/MRC: Toronto"
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  37. "Rian Johnson Directs Commercial for Virtual 'Pokemon Go' Fest"
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  38. Deadline Hollywood
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  43. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
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  45. Variety
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  46. "For 'Last Jedi' Director, The Journey To 'Star Wars' Began With Action Figures"
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  63. filmfest.scad.edu
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