J.J. Abrams To Return & Direct Star Wars: Episode IX

​By Daniel Howat

​After news broke last week that Colin Trevorrow would be replaced as director of "Star Wars: Episode IX," many names circled around as possible replacements (Which we also wrote about it here). Today, Lucasfilm officially announced that J.J. Abrams would take over the film, making this his first film after "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

With Abrams taking over the final installment of the newest Star Wars trilogy, the film is in very safe hands. "The Force Awakens" scored both critically and financially, with a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and over $2 billion worldwide. Lucasfilm clearly did not want to leave their biggest film yet up to chance.

Trevorrow was let go for creative differences, but many wonder if the critical demolishing of his latest film, "The Book of Henry," had something to do with it. Rian Johnson is putting the finishing touches on "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," due for release December 15, 2017, and Lucasfilm is reportedly happy with the work he's been doing. From a financial standpoint, Johnson could be seen as an even bigger risk than Trevorrow. Prior to "The Last Jedi," Johnson's biggest film, "Looper," had a $30 million budget and grossed $176 million. Trevorrow directed "Jurassic World" for Universal on a $150 million budget and earned $1.7 billion.

Outside of his lucrative career directing and producing on television, Abrams made a name as a filmmaker for his involvement in major franchises. With "Mission Impossible III," 2009's "Star Trek" reboot and its sequel "Star Trek Into Darkness," and "The Force Awakens," Abrams has proved that he can deliver a great film and score big at the box office. Out of his five directorial features, Abrams has only made one original film, 2011's "Super 8."

This is the latest directorial shake up for the rebooted Star Wars franchise. Phil Lord and Chris Miller were fired in the middle of production on the Han Solo spinoff film earlier this year, replaced immediately with Ron Howard. Josh Trank was fired from an unknown Star Wars spinoff before getting too far into pre-production. Lucasfilm even brought in Tony Gilroy to significantly retool "Rogue One" in post-production in place of the film's credited director Gareth Edwards. Many are wondering if Lucasfilm is exhibiting too much control over their films, but with a billion-dollar franchise, it's pretty understandable.

​So what do you think? Are you happy with this news? Should Kathleen Kennedy have chosen a different director or are they safe and secure with Abrams returning? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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