Star Wars: Episode IX will now be released on December 20, 2019, Lucasfilm announced today. Lucasfilm previously dated Episode IX for a May 24, 2019 release date earlier this year. The altered release date comes on the same day Lucasfilm confirmed that J.J. Abrams will now take over directorial duties on the upcoming Star Wars film, following in his work as director on Star Wars: The Force Awakens.