Well, that didn’t take long. Just hours after it was announced that Colin Trevorrow and Lucasfilm were parting ways over “Star Wars: Episode IX,” and as social media offers suggestions for potential replacement filmmakers, a frontrunner has emerged. And it’s a fairly obvious choice.
Rian Johnson, the director of this winter’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” is said to be sitting on top of the shortlist of directors to jump into ‘Episode IX.’ The move makes a lot of sense given that, as Lucasfilm honcho Kathleen Kennedy weathered two rocky productions on the spinoffs, she found a steady hand in Johnson, who not only directed ‘The Last Jedi’ without fuss, but also helped navigate everyone through the passing of Carrie Fisher after she passed.
Contrary to early reports, Rian Johnson was not involved in the writing of “Star Wars: Episode IX.” That task fell to Trevorrow and his frequent collaborator Derek Connolly, however, they saw their work get looked over by Jack Thorne (“Skins,” “This Is England” ’86, ’88 and ’90, “The Last Panthers,” the “National Treasure” mini-series, “The Scouting Book for Boys”) who was brought in to rewrite the script last month.
That said, I can only imagine that Johnson has been privy to the conversations happening around ‘Episode IX,’ which has had to be substantially changed in the wake of Fisher’s death, given the prominent role that was planned for her in the movie. Johnson would be the logical choice as not only would he carry the torch into the final film of the latest trilogy, he has already earned the trust of Kennedy, executives, the cast, and crew.
Of course, making a “Star Wars” movie means Johnson giving another two years of his life to the franchise instead of getting one of his own stories off the ground. That being said, if he hits two straight, huge homeruns, there’s no doubt he’ll be able to do whatever the hell he wants.
“Star Wars: Episode IX” opens on May 24, 2019. Below, a recent tweet from Johnson. [Deadline]
I would do another SW movie in a heartbeat. I've had the time of my life.
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) July 20, 2017
Update: Rumors of J.J. Abrams’ involvement in “Star Wars: Episode IX” have already appeared, but apparently have been shot down.
Will Lucasfilm go for the tried and tested? Rian Johnson's AND JJ Abrams' names emerging as contenders to replace Colin Trevorrow.
— Borys Kit (@Borys_Kit) September 6, 2017
UPDATE: Just checked the JJ ABRAMS rumor and it was shot down.
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) September 6, 2017