Star Wars Episode VIII release date revealed

26 May 2017 has been revealed as the release date for Star Wars Episode VIII, the follow-up to The Force Awakens.

Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger revealed the release date during a shareholders meeting in which he also announced the title of the first spin-off movie to be Star Wars: Rogue One.

Little is known about the eighth episode of the Star Wars saga, but what we do know is that Rian Johnson has been confirmed as writer and director. Johnson has previously been responsible for directing sci-fi thriller Looper as well as Brick, along with several episodes of televisions critically-acclaimed show Breaking Bad.

Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy will produce Episode VIII with Ram Bergman, who also produced Looper, Brick, and Don Jon. The Force Awakens directer, JJ Abrams, will also act as executive producer.

It is assumed that several key cast members from The Force Awakens will also return, while the crew have reportedly been preparing for the new movie by watching classic movies such as US airforce drama Twelve O'Clock High and soviet era drama Letter Never Sent.