'Star Wars: Rogue One' coming December 2016; Rian Johnson to direct 'Episode VIII'

Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger revealed the latest details regarding the future of the Star Wars cinematic galaxy during a shareholders meeting this morning in San Francisco.

Iger announced that the first Star Wars spin-off film would be titled Rogue One and explore "characters and events beyond the core Star Wars saga." Rogue One will be directed by Gareth Edwards (Monsters, Godzilla) and written by Oscar nominee Chris Weitz (Cinderella, About a Boy, Antz). In addition, Iger revealed that Oscar nominated actress Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything) as the film's first cast member. Rogue One will begin shooting this summer in London and is set for a December 16, 2016 release.

Other Star Wars news from the shareholders meeting includes that Rian Johnson has been confirmed to write and direct Episode VIII, the direct sequel to Star Wars: The Force Awakens which is set for release later this year on December 18, 2015. Episode VIII will be released on May 26, 2017.