Abrams, of course, directed (and co-wrote) THE FORCE AWAKENS and while that movie was a massive success, it was met with some negativity from a contingent of fans that thought it was more of a rehash than a true follow-up. Personally, I thought the movie was hugely entertaining despite the obvious beats inspired by past installments.

No matter your opinion on the subject, THE FORCE AWAKENS still has plenty of fans. In addition to the energetic, joyful direction, Abrams simply cast the shit out of it!

Not surprisingly, Abrams was always on the short list for EPISODE IX, as was THE LAST JEDI writer/director Rian Johnson (who, according to Deadline and a few other online sources, wasn’t interested in taking the project on), but ultimately, the man who brought the saga back is the one who’s going to finish the new trilogy out.

Here’s a statement from Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Pictures;