J.J. Abrams will write and direct Star Wars Episode IX

Lucasfilm has officially announced that J.J. Abrams will return to the Star Wars franchise to direct Episode IX. This is a week after Lucasfilm parted ways with Colin Trevorrow, citing creative differences. (In truth, Trevorrow may have been difficult to work with.)

Here is the full statement from Lucasfilm regarding Abrams’ return:

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.

While the editors here at Flixist had our own ideas about who should have helmed Episode IX, this seems… well… like a safety school choice. Let us know what you think about Abrams back at the wheel in the comments.