Star Wars writer and director Rian Johnson today admitted he was “freaked out” by death threats from fans angry over plot details in The Last Jedi.

The latest episode of the saga was a huge hit, taking more than $619 million (£435 million) at the global box office. But it divided fans, with some unhappy about storylines including the abrupt death of villain Snoke, a subplot involving hero Finn and new character Rose Tico, and Luke Skywalker’s story arc.

Johnson, 44, told the Standard: “I knew intellectually what I was letting myself in for, but then when it happens you’re like, ‘Oh my God, this is intense!’

“It’s about knowing you’re not going to please everyone. But then you still read someone saying they wish you were dead and it’s going to ruin your day.

“There were death threats. It’s balanced by a few things — 90 per cent of the stuff I got online was not only lovely and encouraging but phenomenally thoughtful. Fans would send me essays on the movie. The other 10 per cent is just loud and gets amplified.

“At first I was freaked out but then I realised the things people were angry about are the things I’m most proud about.”

Mark Hamill, 66, who plays Luke, had voiced initial concerns about what happened to his character. Johnson said: “When Mark first read it, it was not what he expected. The truth is though, this is a normal working process for actors and directors. There are moments where the actors say, ‘Well why would my character do this?’ And then it’s a conversation. This was no different. But it gets shouted through a megaphone.

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“Mark and I were both very respectful of each other. It didn’t bother me that he spoke out about it.” He said a behind-the-scenes documentary, to be included in the DVD and Blu-ray of the movie, would shed more light on the issue.

The US director hopes there can be a return for Luke, despite his disappearance at the end of The Last Jedi: “I am just an audience member now so I’m looking forward to finding out what happens. Look man, he’s Luke Skywalker, so who knows!”

He started each day at work by doing a crossword on the game board in the Millennium Falcon — and he “took everything that wasn’t nailed down” from the set: “The creature guys gave me an incredibly realistic Porg I can control with little levers. Prop guys gave me a set — a set! — of lightsabers.”

The Last Jedi was Episode VIII and J J Abrams, who wrote and directed Episode VII, The Force Awakens, will return to direct Episode IX. Johnson is also creating a spin-off trilogy and said: “We’ve got to figure out the timing. I’m excited!”

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is out on DVD and Blu-ray on April 9.