Johnson will write and direct the film, while his longtime producer Ram Bergman is also returning to work with Lucasfilm on the trilogy. Lucasfilm and Disney stated they were “immensely proud” of The Last Jedi, and that the new trilogy “will introduce new characters from a corner of the galaxy that Star Wars lore has never before explored.” Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy added that “Rian will do amazing things with the blank canvas of this new trilogy.”
The decision to do not one, but three spin-offs indicate a far larger amount of time than could be explored by films like Rogue One or Solo, yet the declaration that it would stand apart from the Skywalker Saga, where The Last Jedi is considered Episode VIII, indicates Johnson is not tackling Episode X. Our editors will likely speculate more on our Force Ghost Coast to Coast podcast, so do stay tuned.
It is also unknown when the film will be released. It seemed Lucasfilm was planning an Obi-Wan Kenobi movie with director Stephen Daldry for 2020, so the earliest it may come out is in 2021.
Disney also announced today a live-action Star Wars TV series will launch on its as-yet unnamed streaming service at the end of 2019. Star Wars creator George Lucas also planned a live-action TV show before he sold Lucasfilm in 2012, which he tentatively titled Underworld. Many of the story ideas have since surfaced in Disney Star Wars media.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is out December 15.
