Star Wars: Episode IX release date moved in the wake of Abrams involvement

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Earlier today, it was announced that lens-flare extraordinaire J.J. Abrams would be taking over as the director of STAR WARS: EPISODE IX, the final film in what's being hailed as the Skywalker family trilogy. Of course, changing a film's director often leads to scheduling shifts, and that's precisely what we're looking at now, as the Abrams-led Star Wars film will now open on December 20, 2019 as opposed to its original May 24, 2019 debut.

Wait … do you hear that? That's the familiar sound of film executives rushing to a nearby calendar, their teeth grinding as they search for a way to avoid being lost among the sci-fi epic's new release date. For the moment, the only film that stands to feel the force at its heels is Warner Bros. MINECRAFT, a film adaptation of the uber-popular video game. It's also worth noting that Patty Jenkin's WONDER WOMAN 2 is scheduled to open on December 13th of 2019. Will the warrior princess choose to stage her battle against the forces of evil on another day, or will she brave the on-coming box office slaughter by going toe-to-toe with Abrams' Star Wars?

Additionally, more of Disney's upcoming releases have also experienced a shift in their release dates. For starters, the House of Mouse's yet-to-be-titled Christopher Robin film has been moved to August 3, 2018. Furthermore, Guy Ritchie's live-action adaptation of ALADDIN in 3D (which was originally scheduled for a December 20, 2019 opening) will now take STAR WARS: EPISODE IX's original slot and open on May 24, 2019.

Finally, a Disney film entitled ARTEMIS FOWL will be making its way to theaters on August 9, 2019. The same goes for NICOLE, yet another Disney fairy tale film, which is now set for a November 8, 2019 release.

Truthfully, STAR WARS: EPISODE IX being delayed isn't going to dim the luminosity of my lightsaber. I'm perfectly content to wait, and hope that the extra time will allow Abrams to craft one hell of a finale for the latest Star Wars-related trilogy.

How about you? What are your thoughts and feelings about this scheduling change? Let us know in the comments section below.

STAR WARS: EPISODE IX will now force its way into theaters on December 20, 2019.