Knowing how long we have to wait for Star Wars is almost as bad as not knowing how long we have to wait. According to Disney CEO Bob Iger, the eighth film in the main series will be released in May of 2017 while the first spin-off film in the series, Rogue One, will begin shooting later this summer. We already know that the first film in the new trilogy will be released this December.
While the world excitedly awaits the December launch of the first Star Wars movie under the Disney umbrella, J.J. Abrams’ Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Disney CEO Bob Iger just confirmed two more pieces in the franchise puzzle, announcing that Star Wars: Episode VIII will premiere May 16, 2017, while the first spin-off film, Rogue One, will begin shooting this summer. Following the hugely successful Marvel Studios formula (which Disney also owns), Rogue One will take place outside of the main story arc so familiar to fans of all ages. Little is known about the plotline for Rogue One at this point, but Disney did confirm the film will star Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything) in the lead role. The story is reportedly based on an idea by VFX supervisor John Knoll, and will be written by Cris Weitz (Cinderella).
