In just over one month,Star Wars: The Force Awakenswill finally hit theaters nationwide, the first in a new trilogy that will also spawn three spinoff movies all set within the growingStar Warsuniverse. The first spinoffRogue One: A Star Wars Storyand the next sequelStar Wars: Episode VIIIare already inproduction, with fans set to get a newStar Warsmovie every year, until at least 2019. DirectorJ.J. Abramshas already started making the press rounds forStar Wars: The Force Awakens, teasing in a new interview withWiredhowStar Wars: The Force Awakenswill be connected toRian Johnson’sStar Wars: Episode VIII.
“The script for VIII is written. I’m sure rewrites are going to be endless, like they always are. But whatLarry (Kasdan)and I did was set up certain key relationships, certain key questions, conflicts. And we knew where certain things were going. We had meetings withRianandRam Bergman, the producer of VIII. They were watching dailies when we were shooting our movie. We wanted them to be part of the process, to make the transition to their film as seamless as possible. I showedRianan early cut of the movie, because I knew he was doing his rewrite and prepping. And as executive producer of VIII, I need that movie to be really good. Withholding serves no one and certainly not the fans. So we’ve been as transparent as possible.Rianhas asked for a couple of things here and there that he needs for his story. He is an incredibly accomplished filmmaker and an incredibly strong writer. So the story he told took what we were doing and went in the direction that he felt was best but that is very much in line with what we were thinking as well. But you’re right-that will be his movie; he’s going to do it in the way he sees fit. He’s neither asking for nor does he need me to oversee the process.”
Shortly afterStar Wars: The Force Awakenswas first announced back in October 2012,Michael Arndt(Toy Story 3) was first tasked with writing the screenplay for this highly-anticipated film. AfterJ.J. Abramscame aboard to direct, he then took over the screenwriting duties with Lawrence Kasdan, who co-wroteStar Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes BackandStar Wars: Episode VI - Return of the JediwithGeorge Lucas. When asked about his storytelling approach toStar Wars: The Force Awakens, the writer-director revealed he wanted to tell a self-contained story that shed light on the history of these characters.
“We wanted to tell a story that had its own self-contained beginning, middle, and end but at the same time, likeStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, implied a history that preceded it and also hinted at a future to follow. WhenStar Warsfirst came out, it was a film that both allowed the audience to understand a new story but also to infer all sorts of exciting things that might be. In that first movie, Luke wasn’t necessarily the son ofVader, he wasn’t necessarily the brother of Leia, but it was all possible. The Force Awakens has this incredible advantage, not just of a passionate fan base but also of a backstory that is familiar to a lot of people. We’ve been able to use what came before in a very organic way, because we didn’t have to reboot anything. We didn’t have to come up with a backstory that would make sense; it’s all there. But these new characters, which Force is very much about, find themselves in new situations-so even if you don’t know anything aboutStar Wars, you’re right there with them. If you are a fan of Star Wars, what they experience will have added meaning.”
Wiredhas also debuted five new photos featuring the villainous Knights of Ren and J.J. Abrams on the set withDaisy Ridleyand one of the new First Order Stormtroopers. AfterStar Wars: The Force Awakenshits theaters on December 18, the first spinoff,Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, arrives on August 19, 2025, followed byStar Wars: Episode VIIIon July 23, 2025.Star Wars Anthology: Han Solo Movie, directed byPhil LordandChris Millerhas been set for release on June 28, 2025, followed byStar Wars: Episode IX, directed byColin Trevorrow, arriving sometime in 2019. What do you think about these new details? Check out the photos and let us know what you think.
