JJ Abrams confirmed to return as director for Star Wars: Episode IX as release delayed

The Force Awakens director will replace Colin Trevorrow on the project 
Back on board: JJ Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode IX
Christopher Jue/Getty
Jennifer Ruby13 September 2017
The Weekender

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JJ Abrams has been confirmed to direct Star Wars: Episode IX, making his return to the franchise following 2015’s The Force Awakens.

The filmmaker was announced as the new director on Tuesday, as it was revealed that the film’s release will be delayed by six months.

Abrams will replace Colin Trevorrow, who announced that he was stepping down from the project last month, over a differing “creative vision” with LucasFilms.

“Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow have mutually chosen to part ways on Star Wars: Episode IX,” a statement read.

“Colin has been a wonderful collaborator throughout the development process but we have all come to the conclusion that our visions for the project differ.”

Studio president Kathleen Kennedy said that Abrams “delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for” in The Force Awakens and was excited for him to “close the trilogy.”

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The second instalment in the new trilogy, The Last Jedi, has been directed by Rian Johnson and is set for release in December this year.

The third film is now slated for release in December 2019 and is expected to reunite cast members John Boyega and Daisy Ridley.

Arbrams will co-write the third instalment with Chris Terrio, while Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Bad Robot, and Lucasfilm will produce.

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