‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Director Will Not Be Involved In ‘Episode IX’

After helming Star Wars: The Last Jedi, director Rian Johnson will hand the reigns back to J. J. Abrams, who is returning to helm the final chapter of the sequel trilogy. Of course, with Episode IX set to conclude the story that began with The Force Awakens and will continue with The Last Jedi, a number of fans are wondering what role Johnson might play in the ninth entry of the main saga. However, Johnson revealed that Episode IX will be developed without his involvement during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

Johnson revealed that while the film will continue the story that unfolds in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, he will not be involved in the story discussions for Episode IX:

“J.J. Abrams is doing a third movie. I’m not involved in it. They’ll be writing their own story but continuing on with what we did.”

Fans will finally be able to see exactly how that story will progress when The Last Jedi arrives in theaters this winter.

In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.

Written and directed by Rian Johnson, Star Wars: The Last Jedi stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Andy Serkis, Laura Dern, Kelly Marie Tran and Benicio del Toro.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi will be released in theaters on December 15, 2017.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter