Culture > Film

J.J. Abrams Installed as New ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ Writer and Director

'Force Awakens' director replaces recently ousted Colin Trevorrow.

By Will Levith
September 12, 2017 12:22 pm EDT
J.J. Abrams
J.J. Abrams attends 2017 Hulu Upfront on May 3, 2017 in New York City. (John Lamparski/WireImage)

After Lucasfilm recently parted ways with Star Wars: Episode IX‘s writer/director Colin Trevorrow, rumors began to swirl about who would pick up the slack. After all, fans got a major upgrade when the series’ Han Solo spinoff replaced its would-be directors with Oscar-winning helmsman Ron Howard just three months ago.

Well, Star Wars fans, the wait is over, and the news is good: As The Hollywood Reporter reports, J.J. Abrams, who previously wrote and directed 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens, will reprise his role as chief scribe and director of the yet-untitled Episode IX.

In a statement, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said: “With The Force Awakens, J.J. delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy.”

The latest movie in the franchise, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, is arriving this December and was written/directed by Rian Johnson.

Abrams’ new movie is expected to hit theaters on May 24, 2019.

Will Levith

Will Levith

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