Colin Trevorrow Steps Down From 'Star Wars: Episode IX'

The final film in the third Star Wars trilogy has lost its director.

On Tuesday, Disney released a statement about previous director Colin Trevorrow parting ways with Star Wars: Episode IX. The full statements reads:

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.

The shakeup follows a similar situation, which occurred when the as-yet-untitled Han Solo spin-off film lost directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The pair left the project citing creative differences in June. Shortly after that, Ron Howard was announced to take over the project, and news from the set has been positive ever since.

Even before Lord and Miller left the Han Solo film, though, major directorial changes were hitting the Star Wars universe. Tony Gilroy was put in charge of the extensive reshoots for last year’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, as Disney executives were reportedly not happy with director Gareth Evans’ first cut of the film. And the year before that, Josh Trank dropped out of directing an unnamed Star Wars spin-off, which was later revealed to be the Han Solo film.

At this time, there’s no word on who will replace Trevorrow, or even who’s in the running. But hopefully, it’s smooth sailing from here on out for every Star Wars film.

The next entry in the series, Star Wars: The Last Jedi will open on December 15, 2017. Star Wars: Episode IX was expected to be released on May 24, 2019, but this news could change that.