Director on juggling film following “The Last Jedi,” and more

Rian Johnson has managed to keep his head on straight since writing and directing 2017’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” which has earned about $1.3 billion worldwide.

Between the rabid fans of the sci-fi franchise and his indeterminate work on a new chapter for the space saga, that’s no easy task. And yet Johnson has remained humble and thoughtful in interviews, and his newest movie, “Knives Out,” shows a filmmaker bursting with ideas and enthusiasm for a different brand of storytelling.

The film, which opened Nov. 27, features Jamie Lee Curtis, Ana de Arnas, Chris Evans, Toni Collette, Christopher Plummer, Michael Shan

Rian Johnson’s newest movie, “Knives Out,” shows a filmmaker bursting with ideas and enthusiasm for a different brand of storytelling. Jon Kopaloff, Getty Images