After rumor buzzings following the departure of Colin Trevorrow as director on the upcoming Star Wars: Episode IX, Lucasfilm confirmed this week who will be the replacement. The change in directors also comes with a change in release date, pushing the film to a Christmas release.

J.J. Abrams — who launched a new era of STAR WARS with The Force Awakens in 2015 — will be returning to complete the sequel trilogy as writer and director of Star Wars: Episode IX. Abrams will co-write the film with Chris TerrioStar Wars: Episode IX will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, Abrams, Bad Robot, and Lucasfilm.

“With The Force Awakens, J.J. delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy,” said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.

Star Wars: Episode IX lands in theaters December 20, 2019.