Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn on Saturday confirmed rumors that writer-director Colin Trevorrow will direct "Star Wars: Episode IX," which is slated to hit theaters in 2019.
Even though production for the film is not expected to start for a few years, Trevorrow is heading to Lucasfilm this year and will start working with artists and fellow "Star Wars" directors. "Colin is someone I've been interested in working with ever since I saw 'Safety Not Guaranteed,'" said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.
"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," according to Star Wars.
"This is not a job or an assignment," Trevorrow said, according to Entertainment Weekly. "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."
Trevorrow, whose "Jurassic World" broke box office records this summer, raking in more than $1.6 billion in global earnings, had been rumored to be joining the "Star Wars" fold before Saturday's announcement, as HNGN previously reported.
"Star Wars: Episode IX" will be the final film in the third trilogy of the "Star Wars" franchise, which begins with "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," on Dec. 18.
