Months before the start of production, "Star Wars Episode IX" is getting a new writer to polish up the film's screenplay. Jack Thorne, the British screenwriter who wrote the stage play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," is being brought in to finish writing the much anticipated conclusion to the sequel trilogy.
Colin Trevorrow, who will also direct the film, has been working on the script with his writing partner Derek Connolly. It's not clear how extensive the rewrites will be, but sources told The Hollywood Reporter that a fresh pair of eyes is needed for the project.
Thorne's writing credentials encompass theater, radio, television and film. Aside from "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," he has written plays like "The Solid Life of Sugar Water," "Woyzeck," whose lead role was played by "Star Wars" sequel trilogy protagonist John Boyega, and the radio play "A Summer Night," which was written as a response to the London riots in 2011.
For television, he has written a number of shows, including the 2010 supernatural drama "The Fades" and 2016's heist thriller "The Last Panthers." In 2016, it was announced that he will be adapting Philip Pullmans' epic fantasy trilogy "His Dark Materials" to a television series. Thorne also wrote Julia Roberts' upcoming film "Wonder."
While production of "The Last Jedi" seems to be going smoothly, another "Star Wars" film may be having trouble. The yet untitled Han Solo spinoff movie parted ways with its directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller in June. Veteran director Ron Howard was brought in to take over the project.
Production for the ninth installment in the "Star Wars" franchise Skywalker saga is expected to begin in January. The movie has a release date set on May 24, 2019.
"Star Wars: The Last Jedi," the eighth movie in the saga and second in the sequel trilogy, will open on Dec. 15.
