We’re all still a tad shocked here at Moonbase Alpha to hear last night’s announcement that director Colin Trevorrow has departed Star Wars: Episode IX, and now comes word on an early contender to replace Trevorrow in the director’s chair.

As per Deadline, Rian Johnson could well wind up helming Episode IX. Johnson, of course, is currently working on this December’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi for Lucasfilm and Disney. Right now, the early word is that he’s at the top of a short list of names being considered to take over Episode IX, and it’s believed by many that Johnson was originally pegged to direct two pictures upon being brought in to a galaxy far, far away before Trevorrow was given the Episode IX gig. Now, it looks as if Lucasfilm may well be revisiting that idea by having Johnson continue his The Last Jedi work with Episode IX.

At present, Episode IX is set for a May 2019 release, and, as ever, expect us to bring you more on all of this as it continues to develop.