Star Wars : Episode IX " Star Wars " : Episode IX is an upcoming 2019 film set to be directed by J . J . Abrams from a script by Abrams and Chris Terrio . It will be the third and final film in the " Star Wars " sequel trilogy . The film , produced by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy , is expected to see the return of many of the characters featured in 2015 ' s " " , which Abrams also directed and co - wrote , and 2017 ' s " " . The film was first announced after The Walt Disney Company acquired Lucasfilm in 2012 . Colin Trevorrow was initially announced as the director and writer of the film , but he and Lucasfilm parted ways in September 2017 , with Lucasfilm citing " creative differences " over the project . Abrams and " The Last Jedi " writer and director Rian Johnson were both considered leading contenders for the job from major media outlets , with Abrams being announced on September 12 , 2017 . Principal photography is expected to begin in July 2018 , with a release scheduled for December 20 , 2019 . Development . Unofficial reports claimed in November 2012 that Lawrence Kasdan — who originally wrote the screenplays for both and — and Simon Kinberg would divide writing responsibilities for and IX , and both would co - produce all three films of the upcoming sequel trilogy , alongside Kathleen Kennedy . However , in February 2013 , Disney confirmed that Kasdan and Kinberg were working on standalone films , not main episodes . J . J . Abrams , director of , also wrote the early drafts of Episodes VIII and IX , though the former was rewritten after Rian Johnson was hired to direct it . It was also believed that Johnson would write the treatment for Episode IX , though this was later denied by Johnson . In August 2015 , Colin Trevorrow was announced as director for Episode IX . Johnson and Trevorrow worked closely to ensure continuity between their respective films . Trevorrow planned to shoot on , and wanted to capture some footage in actual . According to Kasdan , the Lucasfilm creative team developed a general idea early on as to how they wanted the film to end . According to Mark Hamill , George Lucas ' s outline for the sequel trilogy had Luke Skywalker surviving until Episode IX and training Leia in the Force . Hamill was an advocate for this version of the story . Death of Carrie Fisher . Carrie Fisher died on December 27 , 2016 . In light of this , Trevorrow met with Kennedy in January 2017 to discuss possible story solutions . Kennedy said that the team had " pretty much started over , " and it was reported that Jack Thorne was hired to rewrite the initial script . However , in September 2017 , it was announced that Trevorrow had left the project due to creative differences , and would be replaced by " The Force Awakens " director J . J . Abrams , who would also co - write the film with Chris Terrio . Disney agreed to pay a fee to so that Abrams could make the film , as he had been in breach of contract with the latter by his involvement in " The Force Awakens " . It ' s not yet known how Fisher ' s passing will affect the role of General Leia Organa in " Star Wars " : Episode IX or any future " Star Wars " films . Lucasfilm has dispelled rumors that it would digitally recreate Fisher in future films . Fisher ' s brother Todd claimed he and Billie Lourd had granted Lucasfilm rights to use recent footage of her . However , Kennedy later confirmed that Fisher will " not " be in the film . Production . Principal photography is expected to begin in July 2018 , under the working title of " Black Diamond . " Some sequences are planned to be filmed with cameras . Music . During a concert with the Young Musician ' s Foundation Debut Orchestra on February 9 , 2013 , composer John Williams said he was hoping to get the chance to write the musical score s for the sequel trilogy films . After composing " The Force Awakens " and " The Last Jedi " , Williams is slated to write the musical score for Episode IX , though he has said that it will most likely be his final " Star Wars " project . Release . The film was originally scheduled for release on May 24 , 2019 , but was later pushed back to December 20 , giving the May 24 date to the of " " .