JJ Abrams Now Officially Confirmed To Replace Colin Trevorrow As STAR WARS: EPISODE IX Director
Though negotiations are only just underway, Deadline reports that Star Wars: The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams has entered talks with Lucasfilm to return to helm Episode IX in place of Colin Trevorrow.
When it was announced that Jurassic World helmer Colin Trevorrow had left the Star Wars: Episode IX director's chair empty, both JJ Abrams and Rian Johnson's names emerged as potential replacements.
Now, Deadline reports that Johnson declined the offer, but Abrams is in talks with Lucasfilm to return to the franchise after steering The Force Awakens to such massive success.
UPDATE: This news has just been officially confirmed, and Abrams will also co-write the script with Chris Terrio. Check out Lucasfilm's statement via StarWars.com below.
J.J. Abrams, who launched a new era of Star Wars with The Force Awakens in 2015, is returning to complete the sequel trilogy as writer and director of Star Wars: Episode IX. Abrams will co-write the film with Chris Terrio.
Star Wars: Episode IX will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Abrams, Bad Robot, and Lucasfilm. “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,” said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.
What do you guys think of this news? Are you glad to see Abrams return to helm the final installment of this new Star Wars trilogy? Sound off below.