Disney keeps making the same mistake with its new 'Star Wars' movies

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Disney announced "Star Wars: Episode IX" will be released December 20, 2019.

The film was originally set for a May 2019 release.

This marks the third time Disney has pushed back one of its sequel trilogies from a potential summer release.

Disney has tried to release Episodes VII, VIII, and IX close to the traditional May release dates of "Star Wars" movies.

Though it's a bummer, it's not affecting our enjoyment of the movies any less.

Disney announced Tuesday afternoon that "Star Wars: Episode IX" will be released December 20, 2019. The news comes shortly after Lucasfilm announced "Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens" director J.J. Abrams will return to direct and write the sequel.

While some fans may be excited by a release date announcement, it's sure to receive more of a collective groan from the avid "Star Wars" fanbase. The news, which comes via a tweet from the official "Star Wars" account, means that the ninth installment of the Skywalker saga will be pushed back several months.

In 2015, Disney announced the movie would be set for a May 2019 release at its D23 Expo. And then just this April, Lucasfilm said the movie would be released May 24, 2019.

It's obviously a bummer to have to wait a few extra months for another "Star Wars" movie, but stepping back even further, the delay of "Star Wars: Episode IX" shows a disappointing pattern.

The bigger picture is that Disney has failed to do one thing it set out to do with its sequel trilogy: Release any one of its sequel movies in May.

Why is May so important to "Star Wars"?

Lucasfilm

Historically, every "Star Wars" movie released prior to 2015's "Episode VII" has been released in May around Memorial Day weekend.

"Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope": May 25, 1977"Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back": May 21, 1980"Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi": May 25, 1983"Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace": May 19, 1999"Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones": May 16, 2002"Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith": May 19, 2005

When Disney purchased Lucasfilm back in 2012, the hope was to keep up the tradition by releasing new "Star Wars" movies in the month of May.

Abrams told MTV that Disney originally wanted "Episode VII" for summer 2015. Many assumed it would try for the traditional May release date. It came out December 18. In 2013, CEO Bob Iger said it would be a great release date because that's when "Avatar," the highest-grossing movie of all time, debuted.

"Episode VIII" was set to be released in May 26, 2017. It will be out December 15. The Mouse House has now struck out three times.

What happened? — Why are all of the "Star Wars" movies getting pushed back?

Lucasfilm

Two of the three "Star Wars" movies have had high-profile writers and directors leave well into the project.

"The Force Awakens" date was pushed back after Oscar-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt "Toy Story 3" left the film. Abrams and "Star Wars" vet Lawrence Kasdan stepped in to take over script duties. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy asked if the film could be pushed to 2016 at one point.

"Episode IX" was pushed back after Lucasfilm announced it had "mutually chosen to part ways" with director Colin Trevorrow "Jurassic World" .

Some have speculated the date shift for "Episode VIII" could be because of rewrites; however, another good reason for the move is that Disney wanted to replicate the success of "Episode VII" during the holiday again.

Disney's first two "Star Wars" movies released in December have each grossed over 1 billion worldwide. Abrams' "The Force Awakens" made over 2 billion worldwide at theaters and broke numerous box-office records when it debuted, including highest-opening weekend of all time.

High expectations and turnaround could be another reason for the pushbacks. Right now, we're getting a big "Star Wars" trilogy movie every other year. That's never been the case in the past. "Star Wars" movies always had breathing room of three years release time from one picture to the next. Of course, George Lucas wasn't subbing out directing and writing duties with others on most of those movies.

At the end of the day, none of this should be a problem for the studio. They have quite the envious movie lineup from now through 2020 and beyond with its Marvel superhero machine and over 20 live-action adaptations of its animated movies in the works.

And if you're worried about "Star Wars," don't be. Jason Guerassio at our sister site Business Insider points out Lucasfilm wants to make sure they're getting these movies right. The swapping out of talent isn't affecting the end product yet.

If you're still bummed you're not getting a "Star Wars" movie in May, there's hope.

There's still one movie that has a May release date — for now

Disney Lucasfilm

For now, the untitled Han Solo" movie is still set for a May 25, 2018 release date. But that film has had some recent trouble too after directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller parted ways with Lucasfilm due to "creative differences."

Director Ron Howard has stepped in to take over the project and it looks like they're going to try and push for the May 2018 date, but don't be surprised if you see this one get pushed back too. NOW WATCH: Here s how to tell if the solar eclipse ruined your vision

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