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'Star Wars: Episode VIII' Snags A May 2017 Release Date

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — "Star Wars: Episode VIII" will blast into theaters on May 26, 2017, Disney Chairman and CEO Bob Iger announced at a shareholder meeting Thursday.

Rian Johnson, known for the innovative time travel film "Looper," is confirmed to write and direct. "Episode VIII" will take place after the events of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," which opens Dec. 18.

Related: George Lucas: ‘Star Wars’ Trailer ‘Looks Interesting’

Iger also announced that the first in a series of big-screen "Star Wars" stand-alone films is titled "Rogue One." Gareth Edwards ("Godzilla") will direct off of a script from Chris Weitz ("About a Boy").

Felicity Jones, who earned an Oscar nomination for her performance in "The Theory of Everything," is set to star in "Rogue One," which will shoot in London this summer for Dec. 16, 2016, release.

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