Star Wars Last Jedi backlash: George Lucas replacing Kathleen Kennedy to FIX Episode 9?

Can George Lucas and JJ Abrams “fix” Star Wars?

The Last Jedi took a huge $1.3billion at the global box office and yet it was far short of The Force Awakens’ $2billion and also divided fans like never before.

A vocal section was so unhappy with Rian Johnson and Kathleen Kennedy’s vision they declared a boycott of all future Star Wars releases, demanding Lucasfilm “fixed” the dramatic perceived change in tone and direction. It is likely this contributed to the disastrous performance of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

So, is Kathleen Kennedy really no longer involved with Episode 9?

A new report said: “George Lucas may help with Star Wars Episode 9 by lending advice and different ideas to JJ Abrams. George Lucas had a very small part in lending Ron Howard a hand with Solo: A Star Wars Story.

“Apparently George Lucas will giving ideas to the director of Star Wars Episode 9… How JJ Abrams should treat certain sequences in the movie.”

This follows the major declarations in Beyond The Trailer that Kennedy was stepping down from any involvement in Episode 9, while Disney boss Bob Iger sought her replacement. Ther had been more than one report that Kennedy might go as early as September.

Would Lucasfilm really bring back Lucas himself in any major capacity?

After all many fans have not forgiven him for a wooden child Anakin and even more wooden adult Anakin in the prequel trilogy, not to mention midichlorians and Jar Jar Binks.

Even the new report from Mike Zeroh adds: “I’m not sure how significant George Lucas’ help will be…. but this is very exciting to hear.”

In fact, hours earlier this evening, Lucasfilm released the first major statement about Episode 9 and confirmed Kennedy’s official role.

The statement revealed the full cast and exciting news about the return to screen of Carrie Fisher as Leia.

It also said: “JJ Abrams returns to direct the final installment of the Skywalker saga. Abrams co-wrote the screenplay with Chris Terrio.

“Star Wars: Episode IX will be produced by Kathleen Kennedy, JJ Abrams, and Michelle Rejwan.”

It seems Kennedy will be a major part of Star Wars until at least December 2019, when Episode 9 hits cinemas.