Longtime “Star Wars” Composer Exits After Episode IX

Famous music writer and composer John Williams plans to move on from the “Star Wars” series after he writes the score for the last installment of the current trilogy. When asked about being involved in episode nine, Williams had this to say:

“We know J.J. Abrams is preparing one now for next year that I will hopefully do for him, and I look forward to it. It will round out a series of nine and be quite enough for me.”

Williams, who won an academy award for his work on the 1977 original film, has written and composed the score for all the core installments in the “Star Wars” saga, with the exception of “Rogue One,” “The Clone Wars” animated film, and the upcoming “Solo: A Star Wars Story.” Although John Powell will be writing the music for the “Solo” film, Williams will come in and write the main theme for the famous scoundrel character.

“What I will do is offer this to John, and to [director] Ron Howard, and if all parties are happy with it, then I will be happy. … John [Powell] will complete the score. He will write all the rest of the themes and all of the other material, which I’m going to be very anxious to hear,” said Williams.

When “The Force Awakens” was first announced in 2014, it was also revealed that Williams would be returning to the franchise even after finishing his work on the prequel trilogy that concluded back in 2005. After production on “The Force Awakens” was done, Williams was asked if he’d be returning for the following installment to which he asked the question if the character Rey would be making a return as well. After hearing the confirmation that Rey would be featured in episode eight, Williams agreed to come back as well for he enjoyed writing the theme for that particular character.

Now after many years of being part of the well-known franchise, it seems that Williams will have had enough time spent in a galaxy far, far away and allow other talented music writers and composers to come in and place their own unique take on the “Star Wars” saga. While filming is set to begin later this summer, Williams will start writing the music for the yet-to-be titled episode nine sometime next year with returning director J.J. Abrams (“The Force Awakens”) set to direct the final film in the trilogy. Episode nine is due out in theaters with a 2019 release date.