Lucasfilm Offered Episode IX To A Different Director Before Deciding On J.J. Abrams

Lucasfilm may have just named The Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams as the new helmsman of Star Wars: Episode IX, however it seems like the studio may have offered the job to another filmmaker right before it decided to hand overthe project to Abrams.

Though there aren't too many details on the offer, Deadline's report on Lucasfilm replacing Episode IX's former director, Colin Trevorrow, actually mentions Lucasfilm's first choice for the project.

Apparently the studio had wanted The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson to work on the last film in the sequel trilogy, however the filmmaker had turned the studio down for reasons that are yet to be revealed.

"Rian Johnson decided not to take the offer to come back and replace the recently departed Colin Trevorrow on Star Wars: Episode IX," the site wrote.

Though some are pretty happy and excited that Abrams is now in charge over Episode IX, fans believed that Lucasfilm would first try things out with Johnson.

The Last Jedi director had been a favorite contender for Episode IX – not only does Lucasfilm seem impressed by Johnson's work on The Force Awakens sequel, but most of the cast and crew have been praising the film for telling a story that's unique but at the same time right for the franchise.

It's such a shame that Johnson had to turn down the offer.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits cinemas December 15, 2017.

Read: Justice League Screenwriter Replaces Harry Potter's Jack Thorne In Star Wars: Episode IX