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'Star Wars: Episode IX' director Colin Trevorrow steps down

Another big change hits the Star Wars galaxy, this one involving the final film in the saga.

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Headshot of Gael Cooper
Gael Cooper
CNET editor Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, a journalist and pop-culture junkie, is co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops? The Lost Toys, Tastes and Trends of the '70s and '80s," as well as "The Totally Sweet '90s." She's been a journalist since 1989, working at Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, Twin Cities Sidewalk, the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and NBC News Digital. She's Gen X in birthdate, word and deed. If Marathon candy bars ever come back, she'll be first in line.
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Watch this: 'Star Wars: Episode IX' director steps down

More changes came to the Star Wars universe on Tuesday as Disney announced director Colin Trevorrow is stepping down from "Star Wars: Episode IX."

"Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow have mutually chosen to part ways on 'Star Wars: Episode IX,'" the company said in a statement. "Colin has been a wonderful collaborator throughout the development process but we have all come to the conclusion that our visions for the project differ. We wish Colin the best and will be sharing more information about the film soon."

Other possible candidates

It's not the first big directing change to hit the blockbuster film saga this year. 

In June, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller left the Han Solo standalone film, which is scheduled for a May 2018 release. Ron Howard took over the film.

Trevorrow, director of "Jurassic World" and "Safety Not Guaranteed," was announced as the director of the yet-untitled Episode IX in 2015. That film is expected to come out in 2019.

Disney didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

As with anything involving Star Wars, fans had plenty of opinions. (See also: Directors we'd like to see helm future Star Wars movies)

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