Recently, we revealed that J.J. Abrams was NOT coming back to the Star Wars universe to continue what he started and complete the trilogy by directing Star Wars: Episode IX. Why? Because as was expected, Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow will helm the sequel when it hits theaters in 2019.
Colin Trevorrow, of course, is coming off of the massive success of Jurassic World, which currently sits as the highest-grossing movie of the year (and could lose that distinction to Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens when that opens in December). This news was first reported by Heroic Hollywood during San Diego Comic-Con, but was just confirmed from the stage of D23 in Anaheim, California.
On the hiring of Colin Trevorrow to conclude this new Star Wars trilogy, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy stated:
Colin is someone I’ve been interested in working with ever since I saw Safety Not Guaranteed, The power of that film paired with the enormous success of Jurassic World speaks volumes about his abilities both as a storyteller and skilled filmmaker. We are thrilled to have such an incredible talent as Colin join our family and step into the Star Wars universe."
As for Trevorrow, he added:
This is not a job or an assignment. It is a seat at a campfire, surrounded by an extraordinary group of storytellers, filmmakers, artists and craftspeople. We’ve been charged with telling new stories for a younger generation because they deserve what we all had—a mythology to call their own. We will do this by channeling something George Lucas instilled in all of us: boundless creativity, pure invention and hope."
The release goes on to confirm that while production on Star Wars: Episode IX won't begin for a few years, Colin Trevorrow will head to Lucasfilm this year to begin collaborating with the entire staff on shaping the conclusion to the story that J.J. Abrams is beginning with The Force Awakens.
This raises a few questions. Does this take Colin Trevorrow out of the running for the recently announced Jurassic World sequel? Because while the power of nostalgia, and the presence of Chris Pratt, certainly helped power Jurassic World to box-office heights, there's no downplaying the work that Trevorrow put in to the first Jurassic movie in years. Part of me wanted to see him continue that story. I wonder if he'll get a chance to do that before he shifts to Episode IX?
Either way, this is a mighty placeholder on the 2019 calendar. Now we know the names of the directors who will be shaping Star Wars for the coming years. Are you excited by their choices?
