Disney has big plans for its Star Wars franchise and in a recent meeting with shareholders this week, Disney CEO Bob Iger confirmed that Episode VIII will arrive in 2017 and the trilogy will end in 2019 with Episode IX.
“As one of the few people allowed to visit the set during filming… and one of the fewer who’s seen most of the footage… I can assure the millions of Star Wars fans who have spent the last decade hoping for a new movie this one will be worth the wait. And it’s only the beginning of a new era of exceptional Star Wars storytelling; next year we’ll release our first standalone movie based on these characters, followed by Star Wars: Episode VIII in 2017 and we’ll finish this trilogy with Episode IX in 2019.” Bob stated.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens which is being directed by J.J Abrams is scheduled to release on 18 December this year. There are also two spin-off/standalone movies that have also been previously announced.
The spin-off will be helmed by Godzilla director Gareth Edwards and will be out on 16 December 2016, while the Star Wars: Episode VIII will be directed by Rian Johnson, the director of Looper.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens has its timeline set 30 years after the events that took place in Return of the Jedi. The follow-up events will determine the next objectives of the recurring cast members along with new leads that will be appearing in the film. Similar to “The Force Awakens,” filming for Episode VIII will reportedly take place in London.