Disney is following up hiring JJ Abrams to direct Star Wars Episode 9 by pushing back the film's release date to give him more time on the project.
Originally scheduled for release on May 24, 2019, Episode 9 will be moving back to Star Wars' now-traditional Christmas slot with a new December 20, 2019 cinema date.
That decision means that Star Wars Episode 9 will be swapping its release date with Guy Ritchie's live-action remake of the Disney animated classic Aladdin, which is now set to premiere in Episode 9's May 24 spot.
This live-action remake has cast Will Smith to follow in the footsteps of the late Robin Williams to play Genie, with Mena Massoud and Naomi Scott as the new Aladdin and Jasmine.
As for Star Wars Episode 9, Disney and Lucasfilm announced on Tuesday that The Force Awakens' JJ Abrams will return as director following the recent departure of Colin Trevorrow.
Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement: "With The Force Awakens, JJ delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy."
Abrams will be sharing writing duties on Episode 9 with Chris Terrio, best known for his work on the Academy Award-winning Argo and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Before we get to Episode 9, director Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi will reach US and UK cinemas on Thursday, 14 December in the UK and Friday, 15 December in the US. Watch a trailer below:
