Looper writer-director Rian Johnson is to to write and direct Star Wars Episode VIII according to reports today.
The filmmaker will take over the franchise from Episode VII director JJ Abrams, Deadline report.
While it was initially reported that Johnson will also write and direct Episode IX, it's now believed he will only be writing the treatment for the ninth film.
Producer Ram Bergman, who has worked with Johnson in the past, is also thought to be on board for the future films which will follow the 2015 release of Abrams movie, currently shooting at Pinewood in the UK.
Rian Johnson (WENN)
Johnson is an interesting choice, having only a handful of credits to his name, but he does fit in with Disney's ethos of recruiting the best in new film making talent. Johnson made his directing debut on the acclaimed indie film Brick before writing and directing Looper, the 2012 time travel thriller which starred Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis.
He has also directed a number of episodes of smash hit TV drama Breaking Bad.
While Johnson looks like the choice for the next movies in the rebooted franchise, Disney have already announced that Star Wars spinoff films will be directed by Chronicle's Josh Trank and Godzilla's Gareth Edwards.
Source : http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/152946/Rian-Johnson-To-Take-Over-From-JJ-Abrams-For-Star-Wars-Episode-VIII
