The rumors were true: J.J. Abrams is returning to direct "Star Wars: Episode IX" after Colin Trevorrow was booted from the franchise.
Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced the news via a statement today. "With 'The Force Awakens, J.J. delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy."
Rumors had either Abrams -- whose "Force Awakens" was both a critical and box-office success -- or Rian Johnson -- who just filmed "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" -- returning to the fold. According to Deadline, Kennedy first approached Johnson for the task, but he turned it down.
As well as directing, Abrams will co-write the film with Chris Terrio who wrote "Argo" and the upcoming "Justice League."
Since neither Trevorrow nor previously-announced co-writer Jack Thorne are mentioned in the press release, it looks like the project is getting a completely fresh start.
Of course, Twitter had some fun with the news:
[Via: Variety, Empire]J.J. Abrams right now: http://pic.twitter.com/yeoBQ5Lsgj
— Star Wars Legacy (@TheSWLegacy) September 12, 2017