Tag Archives: Episode IX

The Mega-Blog

JJ Abrams Will Direct and Co-Write Star Wars Epsiode IX

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Major waves hit the Star Wars universe last week when director Colin Trevorrow was effectively fired from co-writing and directing Episode IX. There has been a lot of speculation about who the studio would tap to replace the him with for the ultimate entry in the Skywalker Saga, and it appears we have an answer. Earlier today, Lucasfilm announced that none other than Episode VII The Force Awakens director JJ Abrams would return to complete the trilogy he started.

Abrams will also co-write the film with Chris Terrio. Abrams co-wrote The Force Awakens alongside Lawrence Kasdan, so I’m not terribly worried there. Terrio on the other hand, while having an academy award for the screenplay for Argo, also co-wrote Batman v Superman. So… it’s a mixed bag? On the upside, if Kathleen Kennedy doesn’t like what he rights, she’ll just can him too.

Is it the most ideal outcome? Maybe not. Finishing a story has never been JJ Abrams’s strong suit. I mean, I literally made a big deal about that during last night’s podcast. That said, Abrams has made movies that I love, while Trevorrow made a couple “movies I’m okay with.”

So I’m choosing to be optimistic.

Star Wars Episode IX is due out May 24, 2019 December 20, 2019.

Via StarWars.com

The Nerd & Tie Podcast

Episode 106 – Unceremonious Exits

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On this episode we discuss a couple of notable exits — Colin Trevorrow getting canned from Star Wars Episode IX and Ed Skrein quitting the Hellboy film amidst whitewashing concerns. On a similar theme, Syfy has cancelled Blood Drive and Dark Matter, and the BBC has decided to not renew Doctor Who spinoff Class. We also tackle Joss Whedon getting a screenwriting credit on Justice League, and two people were injured when chairs were thrown from a balcony at Dragon Con. We start by touching on the recent losses of Len Wein and Jerry Pournelle.

Gen’s on vacation, so it’s just Trae and Nick — but hey, video is working again!

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The Mega-Blog

Star Wars Episode IX Will No Longer Be Directed By Colin Trevorrow

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In a bit of news no one really saw coming, yesterday it was announced that Colin Trevorrow is no longer directing Star Wars Episode IX. A brief statement was posted to StarWars.com about it yesterday:

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.

This, of course, isn’t the first time Lucasfilm and Disney have replaced a director on a Star Wars project. Most notably the Han Solo film has seen Phil Lord and Chris Miller replaced by Ron Howard, but even Rogue One‘s reshoots were directed by Tony Gilroy and not the film’s credited director Gareth Edwards.

Heck, Josh Trank got fired before we ever found out what film he was supposed to be directing in the first place.

According to THR, Trevorrow’s departure isn’t a shock. He’s apparently had trouble getting an acceptable script together, even with Jack Thorne brought in to help. Fortunately a departure this early in preproduction shouldn’t delay the final chapter of the Skywalker saga.

No word yet on who will replace Trevorrow, though according to both THR and Deadline, the likely studio favorite is Rian Johnson. Johnson, of course, is the director of Episode VIII The Last Jedi, which comes out later this year. THR also proposed that Episode VII director J.J. Abrams is also on the shortlist. All of that is speculation of course, as the studio will have only just now started negotiations with Trevorrow’s successor.

Episode IX is currently scheduled for a May 24, 2019 release.

Via StarWars.com, THR, Deadline

The Mega-Blog

Star Wars Episode IX Gets a May 2019 Release Date

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The eighth episode in the Skywalker saga, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, may not be coming until later this year, but that hasn’t stopped Lucasfilm and Disney from wanting to tease us with the new trilogy’s conclusion. Earlier today Episode IX’s release date was announced by the studio, and unlike The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, it won’t be in December.

It’s now official that Episode IX will hit theaters May 24, 2019.

This isn’t the first film in the revived franchise to come earlier in the year, as the Han Solo anthology film will release in the spring as well (with a May 25, 2018 release date). These seem like much larger gambles though than the December dates that The Force Awakens and Rogue One enjoyed. As there was little January competition for the films, they remained in theaters longer, and saw better ticket sales. By putting out movies in May, the movies will face much stronger competition.

I guess we’ll find out how they’ll do.

Via StarWars.com

The Off Week

Should George Lucas Direct Star Wars Episode IX?

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There’s a petition out there to have George Lucas replace Colin Trevorrow as the director of Star Wars Episode IX. Over 20,000 people have signed it.

This is, frankly, one of the worst ideas ever conceived, and Trae is going to tell you why (unfortunately with too much backlight).

“The Off Week” is a series of videos produced by Nerd & Tie in the weeks where we aren’t producing a full length podcast. The goal is to raise questions and make you think about things that you’ve maybe taken for granted.