Star Wars: Episode VIII to blast into theatres in May 2017
In addition to Episode VIII, Rogue One — the 1st Star Wars spinoff — will open Dec. 16, 2016
Disney revealed the release dates of two upcoming Star Wars-related movies Thursday — Star Wars: Episode VIII and the first of a series of Star Wars spinoffs, Rogue One.
Rian Johnson, known for the innovative time travel film Looper, is confirmed to write and direct. Episode VIII will take place after the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which opens Dec. 18.
Principal photography is already complete for The Force Awakens, which is set 30 years after Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
Original Star Wars cast members including Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford are set to return. It's assumed they will reprise their roles as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia Organa and Han Solo, respectively.
The highly anticipated movie will also feature actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Adam Driver and Andy Serkis. Little is known about the characters they will be bringing to life.
Fans were given a few clues in a set of trading cards revealed by director J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm late last year.
Star Wars stand-alone
Disney chief executive Bob Iger also announced that the first in a series of big-screen Star Wars stand-alone films is titled Rogue One. Gareth Edwards (Godzilla) will direct off of a script from Chris Weitz (About a Boy, Cinderella).
Felicity Jones, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in The Theory of Everything, is set to star in Rogue One, which will shoot in London this summer for Dec. 16, 2016, release.
Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul and Zero Dark Thirty actor Edgar Ramirez are reportedly to be contenders to play the male lead.
With files from CBC News