StarWars.com announced this morning that J.J. Abrams, director of Star Wars - Episode VII: The Force Awakens, will be returning to write and direct for Episode IX after the departure of Colin Trevorrow last week.
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.
“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.
Personally, I am good with this. While many have criticized Episode VII for shadowing much of the original, Episode IV, George Lucas himself has even stated in the past the importance of mirroring, even calling it "poetry." And while it has been more or less debunked that Episode 8 will not simply be a 'remake' of The Empire Strikes Back, I anticipate a bit of symmetry between the two, as the middle feature of the trilogy.
My main concern with Episode IX is that the death of Carrie Fisher is handled in a respectful way. It has already been cited that she will not be returning digitally for the movie, and I hope that Abrams and the Lucasfilm team can work in a logical and respectful departure for her character - one that honours the actress and respects the character.
What do you think? Let me know below!
