Why Colin Trevorrow Is Out as 'Star Wars: Episode IX' Director
Everyone should have a bad feeling about this.
In the latest Star Wars galaxy shakeup, Colin Trevorrow will no longer direct "Star Wars: Episode IX." It is not clear yet who will direct Episode IX, but apparently that update will be coming later.
Lucasfilm posted this notice today on the official Star Wars site:
A STATEMENT REGARDING STAR WARS: EPISODE IX
Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow have mutually chosen to part ways on Star Wars: Episode IX. 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.
What went wrong?
There was thought that the horrible reviews for "The Book of Henry" might push Trevorrow out of directing Episode IX, or at least make Lucasfilm breathe so heavily down his neck that he'd want to leave.
Here's more from The Hollywood Reporter:
Rumors of Trevorrow's departure have dogged the project since early June, weeks before the opening of 'The Book of Henry,' his thriller that was panned by critics and failed at the box office. [...]
Sources say that the working relationship between Trevorrow and Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy became unmanageable. Kennedy, who had already been through one director firing/replacement on the Han Solo spin-off, was not eager for a sequel and tried to avoid this decision.
THR's sources added that script issues continued to be a problem during Episode IX's development, and Trevorrow attempted multiple drafts. Last we heard, Jack Thorne was tapped to rewrite the script, with production aiming to begin in January 2018.
Now what? Heck, maybe they'll tag in Ron Howard again. Howard, as you know, stepped in after Lucasfilm fired Phil Lord and Chris Miller from the Han Solo standalone movie. Or, maybe they'll give the job to Rian Johnson, who seemed to get away with filming "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" with very little to no drama. That seems to be a rarity in the Star Wars world nowadays. Plus, Johnson already filmed an Episode IX scene ... although it's unclear now if they'll even use it.
Episode IX is scheduled to open in theaters on May 24th, 2019.
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