'Star Wars: Episode VIII' snags a May 2017 release date


              In this image released by Disney, a scene is shown from the upcoming film, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," expected in theaters on Dec. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/LucasFilm, Disney)
In this image released by Disney, a scene is shown from the upcoming film, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," expected in theaters on Dec. 18, 2015. (AP Photo/LucasFilm, Disney)
photo In this video grab made available by Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM on Thursday, May 22, 2014, J.J. Abrams, director of "Star Wars: Episode VII," talks to the fans from the movie set in the desert in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

SAN FRANCISCO -- "Star Wars: Episode VIII" will blast into theaters on May 26, 2017, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger announced at a shareholder meeting today.

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.

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").

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.

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