Could George Lucas Direct 'Star Wars: Episode IX'?

Speculation over the future of the Star Wars franchise is attracting more and more curiosity with the news that Colin Trevorrow and Disney are officially parting ways before Episode IX begins production. There is still a lot of unknowns about why Disney's Star Wars films have seen so many directors come and go, but perhaps this is the best opportunity to point out the most obvious replacement for Colin Trevorrow: The one and only George Lucas.

In fact, the particularly prominent director called dibs on the movie 40 years ago. Mere months after the first Star Wars film was released in 1977, Lucas spoke with Rolling Stone and had this to say about future sequels:

"I think the sequels will be much, much better. What I want to do is direct the last sequel. I could do the first one and the last one and let everyone else do the ones in between."

Of course, most fans assumed that Lucas was speaking about the film that would become 1983's Return of the Jedi - except he didn't direct it. Instead, George served as a producer and only returned to direct the prequel trilogy. So, does George still want to return for the "last sequel?"

Fans are (understandably) divided over the idea

After two decades, Lucas returned to the directors chair and helmed The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, but has not directed since this trilogy concluded in 2005. Given the divisive nature of the prequels, fans have been equally divided as to whether Lucas should return to direct Episode IX.

Although he has served as a writer and producer for several other films and TV series, including various non-Star Wars ventures, it begs the question as to whether this could be how Lucas returns. The potential is there for the man behind the original idea to step behind the camera again and direct what could be the final film in the recent phase.

Considering that Lucas still speaks with Kathleen Kennedy about the franchise, and has worked on several Star-Wars based content since Revenge of the Sith released over a decade ago, bringing Lucas back into the fold could be a boon to the series as well as a great reminder to fans of all generations how the franchise began.