Fans Hope This Startling 'Star Wars' Shakeup Is Actually For The Best

Big update from a galaxy far, far away: Colin Trevorrow is no longer directing Star Wars: Episode 9. So, who will step into the now-vacated spot at the helm of the third installment of the third Star Wars trilogy? Lucasfilm has yet to announce who's up to bat next, but many have taken to Twitter to offer up suggestions. A recurring hope: that the new director of Star Wars: Episode IX will be a woman and/or a person of color. Given the lack of diversity among the franchise's directors, this would be a huge step forward.

Regarding Trevorrow's departure, Lucasfilm released the following statement on the Star Wars website:

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.

This isn't exactly breaking news, but the directors of the Star Wars franchise aren't exactly the most diverse group of individuals: In June, Ron Howard replaced Phil Lord and Chris Miller on the Han Solo spinoff; Tony Gilroy took over for Gareth Edwards on Rogue One; The Force Awakens was directed by J.J. Abrams; and Rian Johnson directed The Last Jedi. Of course, all are incredibly talented and accomplished filmmakers, and to say otherwise would be silly.

Do you know what else? There are a lot of incredibly talented and accomplished filmmakers who aren't white dudes who deserve a chance at a Star Wars movie. And it is a chance that is long overdue.

Whether it be on the screen or behind the scenes, representation matters.

Rey most certainly wouldn't argue with that.

Star Wars is. For. Everyone.

Four terrific ideas. Four of many terrific ideas.

Another awesome idea.

What have we here? Another terrific idea?

Another great idea for the books.

Just sayin.

Zoinks.

Same.

It could very well be.

Welp.

*Waves to BB-8.* Well said, BB-8.