'Star Wars: Episode IX' release date delayed 7 months to December 2019

J.J. Abrams' return as writer-director isn't the only big change to "Star Wars: Episode IX."

The third and final film in the sequel trilogy was scheduled to hit theaters on May 24, 2019, but it's been pushed back to December 20, 2019.

In its place, Disney's live-action "Aladdin," directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Will Smith as the Genie, will take the May 24 release date.

The December release date will be a fitting end to the trilogy, as "The Force Awakens" came out in December 2015, and "The Last Jedi" hits theaters December 15 of this year.

This news was expected following the exit of "Episode IX" director Colin Trevorrow, who left the project last week. Earlier today, it was announced that J.J. Abrams, who directed the first film in the sequel trilogy, "The Force Awakens," will return as writer and director for "Episode IX."