Colin Trevorrow to helm 'Star Wars: Episode IX' for a 2019 release

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Writer-director Colin Trevorrow will helm Star Wars: Episode IX, which is set for release in 2019, Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn announced Saturday.

"Colin is someone I've been interested in working with ever since I saw Safety Not Guaranteed," Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement. "The power of that film paired with the enormous success of Jurassic World speaks volumes about his abilities both as a storyteller and skilled filmmaker. We are thrilled to have such an incredible talent as Colin join our family and step into the Star Wars universe."

"This is not a job or an assignment. It is a seat at a campfire, surrounded by an extraordinary group of storytellers, filmmakers, artists and craftspeople. We've been charged with telling new stories for a younger generation because they deserve what we all had -- a mythology to call their own. We will do this by channeling something George Lucas instilled in all of us: boundless creativity, pure invention and hope," Trevorrow added.

Star Wars: Episode IX will conclude the third trilogy of Star Wars movies that begins with Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Dec. 18.