Disney books "Star Wars Episode VIII" release date

PanARMENIAN.Net - Disney has booked a release date for "Star Wars Episode VIII". The studio announced it at their annual shareholders meeting in San Francisco on Thursday, March 12. The eighth movie in the franchise is set for North American release on May 26, 2017, AceShowbiz reports.

The Mouse House also revealed the title of one of the "Star Wars" spin-offs. Directed by Gareth Edwards and scripted by Chris Weitz ("Cinderella"), the stand-alone film is called "Rogue One" with Felicity Jones taking on the lead role. It is scheduled for December 16, 2016.

The plot is still kept under tight wraps, but the title itself seems to refer to the starfighter squadron led by Luke Skywalker in 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back" during the Battle of Hoth. The squadron also appeared in 1983's "Return of the Jedi" during the attack on the second Death Star.

A sequel to J.J. Abrams' "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" which is due December 18 this year, "Episode VIII" will be directed by "Looper" helmer Rian Johnson. It is expected to be followed by another spin-off before "Star Wars Episode IX" bows in 2019.

Another major announcement at the shareholders meeting was the confirmation that "Frozen 2" is in the works. No other details including the release date are shared, but the original directors Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck are set to return for the sequel.