Star Wars: Episode VIII to blast into theatres in May 2017

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 VIIIwill take place after the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens,which opens Dec. 18.

Principal photography is already complete for The Force Awakens,whichis set 30 years afterEpisode VI: Return of the Jedi.

OriginalStar Warscast members including Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisherand Harrison Ford are set to return. It's assumed they will reprise their roles asLukeSkywalker, Princess Leia Organa and Han Solo, respectively.

The highly anticipated movie will also feature actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyongo, Adam Driver and Andy Serkis. Little is known about the characters they will be bringing to life.

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Fans were given a few clues in a set of trading cards revealed by director J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilmlate last year.

Star Wars stand-alone

Disney chief executive Bob Iger also announced that the first in a series of big-screen Star Warsstand-alone films is titled Rogue One.Gareth Edwards (Godzilla) will direct off of a script from Chris Weitz (About a Boy, Cinderella).

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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 Badstar Aaron Paul andZero Dark Thirtyactor Edgar Ramirez are reportedly to be contenders to play the male lead.