Lucasfilm opted for a sure thing, giving the boot to “Star Wars: Episode IX” director Colin Trevorrow and bringing in J.J. Abrams, who helmed “Episode VII” (“The Force Awakens”). Vanity Fair reports that Abrams will now helm “Episode IX.”

Abrams will also co-write the picture with Chris Terrio, according to media reports.

The Hollywood Reporter notes that Disney and Lucasfilm announced Trevorrow’s exit from the movie Sept. 5, saying in a statement: “Lucasfilm and Colin Trevorrow have mutually chosen to part ways on ‘Star Wars: Episode IX.’ 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.”

THR adds: “According to sources, Trevorrow exited the project after issues with the script persisted throughout development, with the director taking multiple stabs at different drafts. Eventually, he and Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy’s working relationship had become unmanageable.”

Kennedy offered her thoughts on the hiring of Abrams in a statement released today, saying: “With ‘The Force Awakens,’ J.J. delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, and I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy.”

News of Trevorrow’s departure from the project came on the heels of word that directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller were exiting another project that the “Star Wars” franchise has in the works, the Han Solo spinoff.