Rian Johnson is the most recent addition to a string of filmmakers who have been set up to direct new instalments in the Star Wars saga.
While Godzilla‘s Gareth Edwards and Chronicle‘s Josh Trank have both been reported to helm spin-off films, it appears that Johnson will fill in the hole left by J.J. Abrams after Star Wars: Episode VII‘s completion, and will direct the next movie in the main trilogy. With it being tipped that Johnson is also writing a treatment for Episode XI, it seems possible that he will be lined up to get back behind the camera for the final entry in the trilogy as well.
On Lucasfilm’s part, this is seemingly another great move in their careful planning of the future of the franchise. Johnson has an impressive track record, with a director credit on some of the strongest episodes of hit drama series Breaking Bad. The filmmaker is also no stranger to science-fiction, having made the genuinely excellent and original time-travel movie Looper back in 2012.
Everything looks great on paper for the new trilogy so far, and if everything goes according to plan we will see Johnson’s Star Wars: Episode VIII in 2017.
Watch the trailer for Johnson’s Looper below.
