Colin Trevorrow Rumored to Direct Star Wars: Episode IX

There are so many rumors bubbling to the surface regarding various Star Wars properties, that for spoiler-averse fans it must be like trying to navigate through an asteroid field. The anticipation surrounding the Star Wars panels going on today at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con has only intensified the frenzied atmosphere.

But this latest rumor may be the largest one yet. According to Umberto Gonzalez of Heroic Hollywood, tonight’s The Force Awakens panel will reveal that Colin Trevorrow has been tapped to direct Star Wars: Episode IX. Gonzalez reports that Trevorrow will be making an appearance at tonight’s panel to announce he’s helming the film, due out in 2019.

This isn’t that big of a surprise. Trevorrow is coming off his massively successful Jurassic World film, which has grossed more than $1.4 billion worldwide, including $500 million domestically, a figure not often seen. It will likely go down in history as the king of 2015’s summer box office. This is even more amazing when you realize that Trevorrow has only one other credit to his name, the indie time-travel comedy Safety Not Guaranteed.

But with his credentials at the box office, it’s no wonder Trevorrow was approached by Disney to cap off the sequel trilogy. He’s proven that he can adapt to a previously established world while leaving his own mark on it, which he’ll have to do following J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson’s entries into the franchise.

And while Lucasfilm’s Star Wars team has preached a return to practical effects, it can’t hurt that Trevorrow has tackled a movie dominated by special effects.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Jurassic World, as I thought it was too cynical and mean-spirited for me to embrace its silly plot, but I can’t deny it zipped along like a roller coaster and the dinosaur scenes were spectacular.

More from Dork Side of the Force

Mostly, I’m just happy that Disney decided to hire a different director for each installment in the sequel trilogy. This strategy mirrors the studio’s plans for the Anthology films, in which directors of different genres and styles get the chance to mold the Star Wars form into something uniquely their own.

Gareth Edwards and the duo of Philip Lord and Chris Miller get their own original stories to do this own, but the trilogy’s directors have to adhere to a defined story, so it may prove more challenging for them to let their individual voice sing.

Regardless, if it’s true, this may not even be the biggest announcement to come out of Comic-Con today. Stay tuned to Dork Side for more coverage.

Next: What to Watch for at San Diego Comic-Con Today

Home/Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker