J.J. Abrams is strong in The Force once again.
StarWars.com has officially confirmed that J.J. Abrams is returning to write and direct Star Wars: Episode IX, replacing outgoing director Colin Trevorrow.
According to the announcement, 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.
Previous reports claimed that Trevorrow was becoming difficult to work with, presumably why Lucasfilm and Trevorrow parted ways earlier this month. Lucasfilm released a statement saying "Colin has been a wonderful collaborator throughout the development process but we have all come to the conclusion that our visions for the project differ."
Abrams, 51, previously directed the seventh installment of the Star Wars film saga, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which made over $2 billion worldwide in box office and remains the #1 domestic earner of all time with over $936 million. His other films include Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness, Mission: Impossible III, and Super 8. In addition, he created the ABC series Alias, and co-created the television series Felicity, Lost, and Fringe.
Star Wars: Episode IX is currently scheduled to be released on December 20, 2019.