Tuesday, September 12, 2017

J.J. Abrams to Write and Direct Star Wars: Episode IX

Guess who's back...back again...with lens flare...and a Death Star...   I kid of course, but we aren't kidding about the return of J.J. Abrams to the Star Wars Universe! The man who ushered in the successful return of Star Wars to the big screen is circling around for a final run at the behemoth franchise to close out the new trilogy.

Disney dropped the announcement today:

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.

It's been a rocky road for Directors attempting to put their own stamp on the Star Wars franchise, and understandably so. As Marvel Studios is very guarded of the way their properties are handled and spun into the complete Marvel Cinematic Universe, it should come as no great surprise that Disney is 10 times as guarded with Star Wars, going to great lengths to assure there are no crash and burns to speak of...ever. THE PREQUELS NEVER HAPPENED!!

With Director Colin Trevorrow (formerly directing Star Wars: Episode IX) joining the conga line out the door, arm to shoulder with Josh Trank (Boba Fett stand alone movie), Phil Lord and Chris Miller (Han Solo stand alone movie) and Gareth Edwards (who very nearly completed Rogue One), it makes sense that the powers that be would change tack from seeking out the hot new Hollywood talent in favor of proven directors who can leave their ego at the door and enter a project with full knowledge they will have to pick their battles carefully...and quietly. Ron Howard on the Han Solo movie is surely evidence of this. J.J.Abrams seems like the perfect fit.

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