Rian Johnson (Looper, Brick, The Brothers Bloom) will direct and write Star Wars Episode VIII, which will be released in theaters on May 26, 2017. The long suspected rumor was confirmed today at a Disney shareholder meeting held by Disney chairman and CEO, Bob Iger. The sequel will of course follow the events of this year’s Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Interestingly enough, it’s release is forty years and a day after the release of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope in 1977
Johnson has impressed a great deal with Looper and Brick, as well as a directing credit to one of the greatest Breaking Bad episodes of all time, the riveting “Ozymandias.” The man can direct, and based on the sci-fi prowess he put on display with Looper, I’d say he’s the right man for the job.
They also announced the first stand-alone movie, Star Wars: Rogue One, which is the “first film in a unique series of big-screen adventures that explores the characters and events beyond the core Star Wars saga.” Rogue One will be directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Monsters) and will be written by Chris Weitz (Cinderella, About A Boy). Felicty Jones (The Theory Of Everything, Like Crazy) has been cast in a starring role. The film will start shooting in London this summer and is looking at a release on December 16, 2016.
You can head over to the official Star Wars website for more details on both announcements.
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