After this morning's announcement that J.J. Abrams is returning to write and direct Star Wars: Episode: IX, Lucasfilm has confirmed a new release date for the finale of the new trilogy: December 20, 2019, meaning that Episode IX will now be released in the same month as the first two installments of the sequel trilogy, and last December's Star Wars: Rogue One.RELATED: Star Wars: JJ Abrams to Write & Direct Episode IX

For fans of pop culture franchises, December 2019 will be a busy month. The sequel to Warner Bros. highly successful Wonder Woman hits theaters on December 13 with Patty Jenkins returning to direct, just seven days before Episode IX; Masters of the Universe, a reboot of the popular Mattel toy line featuring He-Man is slated for December 18; and Mike Mignola's Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen and Dune, based on the 1965 Frank Herbert novel, both open on December 31.

RELATED: Why JJ Abrams Is The Perfect Choice To Direct Episode IX

The next film up from Lucasfilm is Star Wars: The Last Jedi from director Rian Johnson, and arrives in theaters on December 15, 2017. Star Wars: Episode IX was previously scheduled for release on May 24, 2019, and will likely star Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac.