- Amid creative turmoil on the new round of Star Wars films, J.J. Abrams is returning to the director's chair to take over on the ninth episode, the final film of a planned new trilogy.
- He'll write and direct the picture and is replacing Colin Trevorrow, who exited the project due to creative differences and reported issues over the film's script.
- Abrams was the guiding force in Disney 's (DIS +0.3%) plans to create a new sequel trilogy in the franchise (as well as spin-off stories), and directed the first of the new films, Star Wars: The Force Awakens -- which became a box-office and merchandising smash.
- Meantime, Lucasfilm has parted ways with four of the six directors it's chosen to make new Star Wars films (only two have been released as yet, The Force Awakens and spin-off story Rogue One).
- “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,” says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.
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