the Star Wars director Club directing a Star Wars movie comes with a unique and immense burden unlike many other film franchises the weight of expectations the history of the Saga and the tight time constraints all combined to create a high pressure environment for any filmmaker stepping into the Star Wars Universe only seven directors have had that burden and privilege Star Wars Episode 4 A New Hope grp 1977 directed by George Lucas Star Wars episode 5 The Empire Strikes Back 1980 directed by Irvin kersner Star Wars Episode 6 Return of the Jedi 1983 directed by Richard marand Star Wars Episode 1 The Phantom Menace 1999 directed by George Lucas Star Wars Episode 2 attack of the Clones 2002 directed by George Lucas Star Wars episode 3 Revenge of the Sith 2005 directed by George Lucas Star Wars episode 7 the force awakens 2015 directed by JJ Abrams Rogue one a Star Wars story 2016 directed by Gareth Edwards Star Wars episode 8 The Last Jedi 2017 directed by Ryan Johnson solo a Star Wars story 2018 directed by Ron Howard Star Wars episode 9 the rise of Skywalker 2019 directed by JJ Abrams who will be next