Star Wars: Episode IX Director Revealed As Colin Trevorrow

Lucasfilm and Disney have announced their director for Star Wars: Episode IX.

Colin Trevorrow will direct Star Wars: Episode IX, closing out the third Star Wars trilogy started by J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and continued by Rian Johnson (Star Wars: Episode VIII). The announcement was made during Disney's D23 live-action event panel this weekend.

Trevorrow's past credits include this summer's smash hit Jurassic World & Safety Not Guaranteed.

"Colin is someone I've been interested in working with ever since I saw Safety Not Guaranteed," says Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy. "The power of that film paired with the enormous success of Jurassic World speaks volumes about his abilities both as a storyteller and skilled filmmaker. We are thrilled to have such an incredible talent as Colin join our family and step into the Star Wars universe."

Trevorrow states, "This is not a job or an assignment. It is a seat at a campfire, surrounded by an extraordinary group of storytellers, filmmakers, artists and craftspeople. We've been charged with telling new stories for a younger generation because they deserve what we all had—a mythology to call their own. We will do this by channeling something George Lucas instilled in all of us: boundless creativity, pure invention and hope."

Star Wars: Episode IX will conclude the third trilogy of Star Wars movies that begins with Star Wars: The Force Awakens on December 18, 2015.

Star War: Episode IX is expected to hit theaters in 2019.