‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ To Be Rewritten By Jack Thorne

“Star Wars: Episode IX” is a getting a rewrite from Jack Thorne, well-known for his work in a number of productions in theater, TV, and film. Lucasfilm has recently just signed Thorne on to take a shot of rewriting the screenplay for the “emotionally resonant” final entry of the new “Star Wars” trilogy.

Colin Trevorrow, who is set to helm “Star Wars: Episode IX,” wrote the initial treatment for the film along with his “Jurassic World” co-writer Derek Connolly. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” director Rian Johnson, on the other hand, posted a tweet confirming that he was not involved in writing a treatment for Episode IX.

‘Star Wars: Episode IX’ Rewrite Most Likely Due To Carrie Fisher’s Passing

Obviously, the previous treatment that Trevorrow and Connoly wrote was done before Carrie Fisher’s death. Fisher’s character, General Leia Organa, was supposed to have a major role in “Star Wars: Episode IX.” A face-off between her and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) was initially planned to happen in the film as well. Basing from the previous reports and the trailers themselves, it looks as if “The Force Awakens” was Han Solo’s film, “The Last Jedi” being Luke Skywalkers and “Episode IX” concluding with Leia’s story. But now that Fisher is gone, the film would definitely need a huge (if not entire) rewrite to get the story going and relate to “The Last Jedi.”

Carrie Fisher in Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015). Photo via Lucasfilm Ltd.

It’s also worth noting that Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said that “Episode IX” is essentially starting over, and so maybe this rewrite from Thorne is the reboot that Kennedy is referring to.

In the U.K., Thorne is widely known for his work involving huge British TV shows—”Skins,” “This Is England,” “The Last Panthers,” and the “National Treasure” mini-series. He also wrote the stage play script for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” alongside a new story by Thorne, J.K. Rowling, and John Tiffany.

“Star Wars: Episode IX” is slated for a May 24, 2019 release.