David Lynch — the legendary filmmaker behind arthouse hits like “Blue Velvet,” “Eraserhead,” “Mulholland Drive” and the television series “Twin Peaks” — does not intend to retire.

Despite speculation “The Elephant Man” and “Lost Highway” director might face a career exit after being diagnosed with emphysema, Lynch took to social media to set the record straight on his condition and his filmmaking future.

“Yes, I have emphysema from my many years of smoking,” Lynch wrote on X/Twitter. “I have to say that I enjoyed smoking very much, and I do love tobacco – the smell of it, lighting cigarettes on fire, smoking them – but there is a price to pay for this enjoyment, and the price for me is emphysema.

“I have now quit smoking for over two years. Recently I had many tests and the good news is that I am in excellent shape except for emphysema. I am filled with happiness, and I will never retire.”

He added, “I want you all to know that I really appreciate your concern.”

Lynch, 78, is a Montana-born film director and visual artist known primarily for critically acclaimed films known for their surreal and dreamlike qualities. His feature film debut “Eraserhead” (1977) earned widespread praise. He would earn an Academy Award nomination for best director for “The Elephant Man” (1980).

His film “Blue Velvet” (1986) is widely considered one of the best films of the 1980s. He earned another Oscar nomination for directing “Mulholland Drive” (2001).

Lynch also directed “Dune” (1984), “Wild at Heart” (1990), “Lost Highway” (1997), “The Straight Story” (1999) and “Inland Empire” (2006).

He and Mark Frost co-created the ABC series “Twin Peaks” (1990-91). Lynch directed the spinoff film “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me” (1992) and he made the limited revival series “Twin Peaks: The Return” in 2017.

Lynch is also an actor, appearing in his own films like “The Elephant Man” and “Twin Peaks.” His most recent appearance came playing famed director John Ford in Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nomianted 2022 film “The Fabelmans.”