One week after announcing that Colin Trevorrow was no longer directing Star Wars: Episode IX, Lucasfilm has decided who will helm the final movie of the trilogy. Lucasfilm has tabbed J.J. Abrams, who directed Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Abrams will also co-write the film along with Chris Terrio.
Lucasfilm released the following statement:
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.
The second movie, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is being directed by Rian Johnson. The Last Jedi hits theaters on December 15 and continues the adventures of of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Rey (Daisy Ridley).