The rumors were true: booted from the franchise.

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy announced the news via a statement today: "With 'The Force Awakens,' J.J. delivered everything we could have possibly hoped for, I am so excited that he is coming back to close out this trilogy."

As with on the Han Solo film, Lucasfilm is opting for a tried and true director.

Rumors had either Abrams -- whose "Force Awakens" was both a critical and box-office success -- orStar Wars: The Last Jedi" -- returning to the fold. According to Deadline, Kennedy first approached Johnson for the task, but he turned it down.

As well as directing, Abrams will co-write the film with Chris Terrio, who wrote "Argo" and the "Justice League."

Since neither Trevorrow nor previously-announced co-writer Jack Thorne are mentioned in the press release, it looks like the project is getting a completely fresh start.

Of course, Twitter had some fun with the news:

[Via: Variety, Empire]