'Star Wars' news: Rian Johnson announces new trilogy in the works
With the end of the current "Star Wars" trilogy looming in the horizon, director Rian Johnson announces he is working on another one, and it is set to launch the 40-year-old franchise on a new track.
Johnson helmed the upcoming film "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" and obviously had so much fun doing it, he decided to write and direct a whole new series for the nostalgic franchise. However, it looks like this time, he is finally letting go of the nostalgia.
According to the "Star Wars" website, Lucasfilm and Disney are "immensely proud" of his work on the series' latest installment.
"He's a creative force, and watching him craft The Last Jedi from start to finish was one of the great joys of my career. Rian will do amazing things with the blank canvas of this new trilogy," said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.
Disney CEO Bob Iger added that the new trilogy will be a diversion from George Lucas' episodic Skywalker saga. It is supposed to give fans a peek into the other corners of the galaxy far, far away as Johnson also plans to introduce new characters from the "Star Wars" lore.
Three more "Star Wars" films are coming up — "Star Wars: Episode IX," "Solo: A Star Wars Story" (2018), and "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" later this year.
"The Last Jedi" follows Rey's (Daisy Ridley) journey as she discovers new abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who does not realize just how powerful his prodigy really is. In the meantime, the Resistance is planning a great battle against the First Order.
"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" will hit theaters on Dec. 15.
Johnson's new trilogy was announced the same time as a live-action TV adaptation of the beloved franchise. A new "Star Wars" TV series is in the works for Disney's upcoming subscription channel, which will be launched in 2019.
