First ‘Star Wars’ Standalone Movie and ‘Episode VIII’ Release Date Announced

The release dates for “Star Wars Episode VIII” and the new standalone film have been announced.

Disney

According to the official Star Wars website and sources at The Wrap, there were a few big announcements made concerning the “‘Star Wars’ Cinematic Universe” at this morning’s shareholders conference. After months of speculation as to what the first standalone film’s title and plot would be, the title Star Wars: Rogue One puts the speculation to rest. With the subtitle Rogue One, it’s likely the film is going to deal heavily with fighter pilots, X-Wings  and dog fights.

Rogue One is also set to be directed by Gareth Edwards (Godzilla) and written by Chris Weitz and Gary Whitta. Felicity Jones (Theory of Everything) has signed on to star in the lead role as well. The film has been given a tentative release date of Dec. 16, 2016 and is to begin shooting this summer in London.

Also announced by Bob Iger during the meeting is Rian Johnson will not only direct Star Wars: Episode VIII, but he will also write it. J.J. Abrams will stay attached to the project as an executive producer.

We can expect to see Episode VIII blasting into theater May 26, 2017, which is not so coincidentally 40 years and a day after the release of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

Is Disney going to start giving “Star Wars” the Marvel treatment? Is Felicity Jones the hero for the job? Let your Wookiee-speak be heard by tweeting @YouNerded or leaving a comment down below.

Via: The Wrap
Source: Star Wars