J.J. Abrams returns to direct ‘Episode IX’ of “Star Wars” trilogy

After Lucasfilm’s announcement just last week that filmmaker Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World) is leaving the project, saying in a statement that the decision to part ways on Star Wars: Episode IX was mutual, is has been confirmed that J.J. Abrams, The Force Awakens filmmaker will step in as director.

As well as directing, Abrams will also co-write the script with Argo Oscar-winner Chris Terrio. This will Make Abrams the first filmmaker, besides George Lucas himself, to direct more than one installment of the star wars franchise.

“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. 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.