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A30 PEOPLE/ARTS
Wednesday 13 september 2017
J.J. Abrams to write and

direct ‘Star Wars: Episode IX’

By LINDSEY BAHR leen Kennedy said that swiftly replaced them with
AP Film Writer Abrams “delivered every- Ron Howard deep into pro-
LOS ANGELES (AP) — J.J. thing we could have pos- duction. In 2015, the com-
Abrams is returning to “Star sibly hoped for” on “The pany fired director Josh
Wars,” and will replace Co- Force Awakens” and add- Trank from work on another
lin Trevorrow as writer and ed “I am so excited that he Star Wars spinoff. And ex-
director of “Episode IX,” is coming back to close out tensive reshoots on “Rogue
pushing the film’s release this trilogy.” One: A Star Wars Story” led
In this March 2, 2017 file photo, director-producer J.J. Abrams date back seven months. This move also means to widespread speculation
poses for a portrait to promote “The Play That Goes Wrong” at Disney announced Abrams Abrams will be the only that director Gareth Ed-
the Lyceum Theatre in New York. Abrams is returning to “Star
Wars,” and will replace Colin Trevorrow as writer and director return on Tuesday a week director aside from “Star wards had been unofficial-
of “Episode IX.” Disney announced Abrams return on Tuesday, after news broke of Trev- Wars” creator George Lu- ly sidelined by Tony Gilroy.
Sept. 12. orrow’s departure. After cas to direct more than News of Abrams’ return
Associated Press several high-profile exits by one “Star Wars” film. was greeted warmly by

previous “Star Wars” direc- “Star Wars: Episode IX” was fans on social media Tues-
tors, Lucasfilm is turning to originally slated to hit the- day. He hasn’t directed
the filmmaker who helped aters in May 2019, but in or committing to directing
resurrect the franchise in the wake of the shift has of- another project since “The
the first place. Abrams ficially been pushed back Force Awakens,” and in-
will co-write the film with to a Dec. 20, 2019 release. stead had been focused
screenwriter Chris Ter- It is the final installment in on producing.
rio, who won an Oscar for the new “main” Star Wars “I’m very much enjoying
adapting “Argo,” and also trilogy that began with taking a moment. Since
co-wrote “Batman v Super- Abrams’ “The Force Awak- I’ve done the show ‘Felic-
man: Dawn of Justice.” ens” in 2015 and will contin- ity,’ I’ve gone from project
As the director of “The ue this December with di- to project. So it’s been 20
Force Awakens,” Abrams rector Rian Johnson’s “The years since I haven’t been
rebooted “Star Wars” to Last Jedi.” prepping, casting, shoot-
largely glowing reviews Lucasfilm has had a num- ing, editing something,”
from fans and more than $2 ber of public fallouts with Abrams told The Associat-
billion in box office. Abrams “Star Wars” directors over ed Press in March.
had said that would be his the past few years. That moment, however
only film for the franchise, Earlier this year the young brief, is over. For Abrams,
but he’s now been pulled Han Solo spinoff film parted it’s time to go back to the
back in. ways with director Phil Lord Millennium Falcon and that
Lucasfilm President Kath- and Christopher Miller and galaxy far, far away.q
Liam Neeson says his days

as an action hero are over

In an interview, Neeson in “Unknown,” ‘’Non-Stop”
said that he plans to stop and “Run All Night.”
even though it’s hard to But, Neeson said, those will
turn down the lucrative of- be his last.
fers he gets thanks to his “I’ve shot one that’s go-
box-office success in the ing to come out in Janu-
three “Taken” films, as well ary sometime. There might
as other thrillers. Neeson be another. That’s it,” said
believes he’s simply getting Neeson. “But not ‘Taken,’
too old to be an action none of that franchise
hero.“The thrillers, that was stuff.”
all a pure accident,” said Instead, Neeson has turned
Neeson. “They’re still throw- back to dramatic work. His
ing serious money at me to Watergate drama “Mark
In this Sept. 13, 2016 file photo,
actor Liam Neeson appears at do that stuff. I’m like, ‘Guy’s Felt: The Man Who Brought
the premiere of the film “Hunt I’m sixty-f---ing-five.’ Audi- Down the White House”
For The Wilderpeople” in Lon- ences are eventually going was to premiere Monday
don. Neeson says he’s fin- to go, ‘Come on.’” evening at the Toronto In-
ished making thrillers. Neeson still has two upcom- ternational Film Festival. In
Associated Press ing revenge thrillers he’s it, he plays the high-ranking
already shot: “Hard Pow- FBI official who was the
By JAKE COYLE der,” in which he plays a Washington Post’s “Deep
AP Film Writer snowplow driver who faces Throat” source in the scan-
TORONTO (AP) — Special off with drug dealers, and dal.Neeson has also lined
set of skills or not, Liam “The Commuter,” with di- up to co-star in “Widows,”
Neeson says he’s finished rector Jaume Collet-Serra, by “Twelve Years a Slave”
making thrillers. who also directed Neeson director Steve McQueen.q