'Star Wars: Episode IX' Replacement Director Found (and It's Huge)

Star Wars: Episode IX scene
(Image credit: Lucasfilm)

J.J. Abrams has agreed to return to the "Star Wars" franchise to co-write/direct/produce 2019's "Star Wars: Episode IX." This comes after the departure of original director Colin Trevorrow.

"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.

Abrams plans to co-write the film with Chris Terrio ("Justice League," "Argo").

"Star Wars: Episode IX" is scheduled to be released May 24, 2019.

Originally published on Newsarama.

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Chris Arrant
Newsarama Senior Editor

Newsarama Senior Editor Chris Arrant has covered comic book news for Space.com sister site Newsarama since 2003, and has also written for USA Today, Life, Entertainment Weekly, Publisher's Weekly, Marvel Entertainment, TOKYOPOP, AdHouse Books, Cartoon Brew, Bleeding Cool, Comic Shop News and CBR. He is the author of the book "Modern Masters: Cliff Chiang," co-authored "Art of Spider-Man Classic," and contributed to Dark Horse/Bedside Press' anthology "Pros and (Comic) Cons." He has acted as a judge for the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, the Harvey Awards and the Stan Lee Awards. Chris is a member of the American Library Association's Graphic Novel & Comics Round Table. (He/him)