Matt Johnson, director of the upcoming Magic: The Gathering film, has described the trading card game as his personal Star Wars. In a recent interview, he reflected on a scarring loss from a 2006 tournament that ended his aspirations of becoming a professional player.
Matt Johnson, who is directing the live-action adaptation of Magic: The Gathering, expressed deep personal attachment to the game in an interview with GamesRadar+. He likened MTG to Star Wars, stating it holds a similar significance in his life.
Johnson shared a poignant memory from 2006, when he suffered a defeat during a tournament that left a lasting impact. 'I'm never going to be a pro Magic player,' he admitted, highlighting how the experience shaped his perspective on the game.
Despite this setback, Johnson's passion for MTG remains strong, influencing his work on the film project. The article, titled 'Magic The Gathering director Matt Johnson says MTG is "my Star Wars", even though a 2006 tour loss still scars him: "I'm never going to be a pro Magic player"', underscores his journey from player to filmmaker. It was published on March 3, 2026.