After writing and directing “The Force Awakens” (2015), J.J. Abrams has signed on to write the newest installment of the Star Wars Saga, Episode IX.
The switch in direction comes after it was announced that Colin Trevorrow, the previous director of Episode IX, would not direct the film because of mutual differences, according to Lucasfilm. However, the new direction could deter fans from watching.
Timothy Roe Jr., freshman computer science major, said he hopes the film will do exceedingly well when it hits theaters.
“Episode VII was fine. (Abrams) could do a great job with Episode IX; it just needs to follow the storyline,” Roe said.
Although most fans were excited to hear of Abrams’ return to Lucasfilm, some fans were not thrilled based on the work they saw in “The Force Awakens.”
Logan Allen, junior business major, said he had a different opinion in the latest Star Wars installment.
“I was disappointed by ‘The Force Awakens.’ It was the exact same storyline as the fourth one so I am hoping it changes what they do,” Allen said.
Matt Vela, self-proclaimed devout Star Wars fan, began a petition demanding that Kathleen Kennedy, producer of “The Force Awakens” and director of Lucasfilm, replace Abrams as writer and director of Episode IX. Vela said he believed that the plot of “The Force Awakens” was too similar to the original “Star Wars” trilogy.
While the petition may not be effective in removing Abrams from the project, it did pick up some steam among fans, garnering almost 2,000 signatures in its first few days.
The reviews earned by Abrams and “The Force Awakens” are promising to fans, giving hope that Episode IX will deliver the same classic “Star Wars” experience to which fans are accustomed. The next installment should hit theaters in December 2019.
