Looper's Rian Johnson will write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII, and may be involved in Episode IX as well.
This is certainly some big Star Wars news. Rian Johnson (Looper) is joining the Star Wars saga as writer and director. There's a little bit of conflicting information here, but it seems safe to say that he's on board for Star Wars: Episode VIII, if not more.
Deadline's Mike Fleming is reporting that Mr. Johnson will take over the reins of the core Star Wars saga movies for Episode VIII and Episode IX. However, The Hollywood Reporter's info indicates that he's only here to direct Episode VIII, and not the third film in the trilogy, although he is writing a treatment for Episode IX. There's something to be said for having a different director for each entry in the saga...it worked quite well for the original trilogy.
Details about whether he's directing both films aside, Mr. Johnson seemingly confirmed the news via his Twitter account, with a clip from, of all movies, The Right Stuff. Nice touch.
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) June 20, 2014
This is huge news. Looper was an exceptional piece of science fiction, and Johnson certainly fits the mold of some of the other smart young directors that Disney has tapped for Star Wars films, like Gareth Edwards (Godzilla) and Josh Trank (Fantastic Four). However, both of those directors are on board for standalone films, while Mr. Johnson is the first since J.J. Abrams to be handed the keys to the "core" Star Wars trilogy.
We have reached out to Rian Johnson's representatives and are awaiting comment.
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