Lucasfilm parts ways with Star Wars: Episode IX director

For the second time in a matter of months, the director of an upcoming Star Wars movie has departed the project.

Lucasfilm has put out a statement confirming that Colin Trevorrow will no longer be directing 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.

Variety suggests that differences about the script led to the departure:

Sources indicated to Variety that the split stemmed from differences on the script between Trevorrow and studio executives. The film was expected to hit theaters on May 24, 2019, with production set to start in early 2018.

Disney brought on “Wonder” screenwriter Jack Thorne a month ago to do a polish on the latest draft of “Star Wars: Episode IX.” Trevorrow and writing partner Derek Connolly had written the most recent version of the script at that point.

In June, The LEGO Movie directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller were fired from the Han Solo stand alone movie, with Ron Howard brought in to replace them and complete the project. The LEGO Group’s flagship licencor certainly knows how to turn over directors, having parted ways with Josh Trank in 2015 before his stand alone movie was even fully developed.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is due for release on December 14 in the UK and December 15 in the USA.