Colin Trevorrow Steps Down From Directing ‘Star Wars Episode IX’

Director Colin Trevorrow has stepped down from his directing duties on Star Wars: Episode IX.

COLIN TREVORROW LEAVES STAR WARS: EPISODE IX

Trevorrow, who directed Jurassic World, has been attached to the project for two years, and is now officially out. He marks the fourth director to part ways with Lucasfilm on the an addition to the famed franchise.

“Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow have mutually chosen to part ways on Star Wars: Episode IX,” said the statement. “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. We wish Colin the best and will be sharing more information about the film soon.”

Episode IX is scheduled for release on May 24, 2019, and there is no word on how Trevorrow’s departure will affect that date. Rian Johnson seems like the most natural choice for replacement, as he is just putting the finishing touches on Episode VIII, which is due out in theaters this December. Creator George Lucas is the only director to have helmed more than one Star Wars feature. The more likely scenario is that Lucasfilm will pull in a veteran director to finish the piece.

News of Trevorrow’s departure comes less than three months after the Han Solo spinoff film lost all of its directors. Ron Howard replaced Phil Lord & Christopher Miller. A writer for The Wrap confirmed that Lucasfilm would not be bringing back J.J. Abrams for another go, while Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi joked that “I’d be fired within a week.”