Star Wars Episode VIII Now Has a Release Date

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Star Wars Episode VIII, the second installment in the iconic film’s latest trilogy, will hit theaters May 26, 2017, 40 years and one day after the release of the first ever Star Wars film.

Star Wars Episode VIII will be written and directed by Rian Johnson, known for his work on the sci-fi classic Looper.

Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger shared the news about the next Star Wars film at a meeting with shareholders on Thursday, where he also shared details of another project. In December 2016, Disney will release a standalone film that explores the characters of Star Wars titled Rogue One.

There’s already a lot of star power behind the upcoming spinoff, which will be directed by Gareth Edwards of Godzilla fame and star Academy Award nominee Felicity Jones.

Read next: You’ll Want to Read These Star Wars Books Before the New Movies Come Out

See the Concept Art For the Original Star Wars Movie Trilogy

C-3PO and R2-D2Courtesy of Lucasfilm
The Millenium FalconCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Darth VaderCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Y-Wings line up against the Death StarCourtesy of Lucasfilm
An X-Wing versus TIE fightersCourtesy of Lucasfilm
HothCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Echo BaseCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Battle of HothCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Battle of HothCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Cloud City of BespinCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Luke versus Darth VaderCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Luke Skywalker versus Darth VaderCourtesy of Lucasfilm
DagobahCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Jabba's PalaceCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Jabba's PalaceCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Luke Skywalker versus a rancorCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Jabba's fallCourtesy of Lucasfilm
EndorCourtesy of Lucasfilm
B-WingsCourtesy of Lucasfilm
Luke Skywalker versus Emperor PalpatineCourtesy of Lucasfilm

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