The latest production of Star Wars VII has already undergone a significant challenge due to the current recovery of principle franchise cast member, actor Harrison Ford since breaking his leg last week on set, leaving him to take two months off from filming. Nonetheless, filming continues with director J.J. Abrams at the helm for the film’s expected December 18, 2015 release date, and with at least two spin-offs on the way, the word is now that Looper helmer Rian Johnson is said to be in talks and will begin working on episode VIII, in addition to episode IX which is still possibly seeking a director.
Franchise auteur George Lucas is an acting consultant on the new trilogy moving forward from the first six films with VII directed by none other a cast that joins Ford with Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Kenny Baker, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Lupita Nyong’o and Gwendoline Christie. Lawrence Kasdan wrote the script with Abrams who is producing Kathleen Kennedy and Bryan Burk are producing. Composer John Williams is scoring the soundtrack.
Godzilla helmer Gareth Edwards is currently tapped to direct one of two Star Wars spin-offs before heading off to work on Godzilla 2; The second spin-off will be handled by Fantastic Four reboot and Chronicle helmer Josh Trank.
Star Wars VIII and XI will release respectively sometime in 2017 and 2019.
H/T: Deadline
