Star Wars Episode IX: JJ Abrams, director of The Force Awakens, to return for latest chapter

Director JJ Abrams is all set to replace Colin Trevorrow as the helmer of the ninth chapter of the Star Wars film franchise. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy confirmed the news that the Star Wars: The Force Awakens director will return to head Star Wars: Episode IX, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “With The Force Awakens, JJ delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy,” Kennedy in a statement. [caption id=“attachment_4038369” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A still from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which was directed by JJ Abrams. Image from Twitter[/caption] Abrams will also pen the script of the film, along with Chris Terrio. Earlier, rumours were rife that Rian Johnson will direct Star Wars: Episode IX, after Colin Trevorrow left the project. Johnson denied the reports saying, “It was never in the plan for me to direct Episode IX, so I don’t know what’s going to happen with it. For me, I was entirely focused on [directing] Episode VIII and having this experience.” Previously, it was reported that Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow had mutually chosen to part ways citing differing visions for the project. He was officially announced as the director of Star Wars: Episode IX in August of 2015 and had been co-writing the script as well. Following this, fans had begun speculating about who the new director would be. Some suggested it’s time for the franchise to hire a female director, something Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy has yet to do, while others went back to the archives and wondered whether David Lynch, who turned down directing Return of the Jedi, might consider the job. But perhaps the most suggested name was that of a man already well-acquainted with the force: JJ Abrams. And it seems as though the makers of Star Wars listened to them! With inputs from agencies