Another Star Wars movie, another staffing change. This time, it’s Star Wars Episode IX and the outgoing staffer is director Colin Trevorrow, according to a brief Lucasfilm press release posted today on starwars.com.
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.
This latest change marks the latest Disney Star Wars property to lose its creative figurehead, following Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s departure from the Han Solo standalone film earlier this year. Of course, that doesn’t include the creative trouble on Rogue One that required Tony Gilroy to step in for reshoots, and with Josh Trank, who was fired from a Star Wars standalone before even starting.
The internet is buzzing with speculation about the move. Was the underperformance of Trevorrow’s latest film, The Book of Henry, to blame? Does this firing, along with the hiring of Ron Howard for Han Solo and rumors of Stephen Daldry for an Obi-Wan standalone, mean that Lucasfilm is done with risk-takers? Will Rian Johnson, Episode XII‘s director, or J.J. Abrams return for Episode IX?
It’s still early to make those calls, but one thing is clear: play nice with the folks at Lucasfilm, or you’re out.
How much work Trevorrow has done on Episode IX is unclear, but the plan was to start shooting in early 2018, leaving whomever is hired in potentially a tight spot. Lets just hope that person stays in the pilot seat.
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