Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace effort after a 22-year hiatus following "Star Wars" in 1977. "The Phantom Menace" was released in theaters on May 19, 1999, almost 16 years after the premiere of the previous "Star Wars" film, "Return of the Jedi". The film's premiere was extensively covered by media and was greatly anticipated because of the large cultural following the "Star Wars" saga had cultivated. It received mixed reviews; critics praised the visuals, action sequences, John Williams' musical score and some of the performances, but criticized the screenplay, characterization, and Ahmed Best and Jake Lloyd's performances (as Jar Jar Binks and Anakin Skywalker respectively).
Star Wars: Episode IX Star Wars: Episode IX Star Wars: Episode IX is an upcoming American space opera film produced, co-written, and directed by J. J. Abrams. It will be the third and final installment of the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy and the ninth and final installment of the main "Star Wars" film franchise, following "" (2015) and "" (2017). The film is produced by Lucasfilm and Bad Robot Productions and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film was announced after Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in October 2012, with Colin Trevorrow announced as the film's director in August 2015. In September 2017,