From superhero movies to horror films to novel-turned-films, it looks like we have tonnes of great movies to look forward to in the coming years. Of course, there is no lack of sci-fi goodness as well because Disney finally announced its plans for the “Star Wars” cinematic universe.
On 12th March, Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger hosted an annual shareholder meeting at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. While we await the release of “Star Wars: The Force Awaken”, Iger announced that the studio has set a release date for “Star Wars: Episode VIII” and found the lead for the first “Star Wars” spinoff film.
Titled “Rogue One”, the spinoff film is based on an idea given by John Knoll, the Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor and the CCO of Industrial Light & Magic. Knoll will executive produce the film alongside Simon Emanuel and Jason McGatlin. Oscar nominee Chris Weitz (of “Cinderella” and”About A Boy” fame) is set to pen the scipt based on Knoll’s idea and “Godzilla” director Gareth Edwards will helm the project. Kathleen Kennedy and Tony To are set to produce the film while John Swartz will co-produce.
Multiple Hollywood actresses including Tatiana Maslany, Rooney, and Kate Mara, and Felicity Jones were previously eyed to play the female lead. As it turns out, Jones has been cast to play the leading role.
The English actress received widespread critical acclaim for her role as Stephen Hawking’s wife in “The Theory of Everything”. However, the Oscar-nominated actress may experience scheduling issues as she is set to co-star in Ron Howard’s “Inferno” (the sequel to the “Da Vinci Code”), which is set to begin filming in Europe next month.
As for the “Star Wars” spinoff film, it set to begin shooting this summer in London.
No plot details were announced, but it was said that it will be “a unique series of big-screen adventures that explores the characters and events beyond the core Star Wars saga”. An untitled standalone movie is in the works as well, but it will be directed by “The Fantastic Four” director Josh Trank and written by “X-Men: Apocalypse” scribe Simon Kinberg.
Iger did not announce any details regarding Josh Trank’s “Star Wars” standalone movie, but he did announce the details of the 8th instalment of the “Star Wars” franchise. Slated for release on 26th May 2017, “Star Wars: Episode VIII” is set to be written and directed by “Looper” director Rian Johnson. J.J. Abrams will executive produce the movie, as the film takes place after the events of Abrams’ “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”. Kennedy is on board to produce the film as well, alongside Ram Bergman (“Looper”, “Don Jon”, “Self/Less“).
J.J. Abrams’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is scheduled to arrive on 18th December this year while the spinoff film will open on 16th December 2016.
For more information, visit the movie’s official website.
(Source: Star Wars’ official website)
