UPDATE 12:52PM: According to a few other sites including The Wrap, Rian Johnson will not actually be writing and directing Episode IX, but merely writing a treatment for it. Deadline has yet to retract their original scoop, so the full extent of Johnson’s involvement in the final film of the trilogy is still uncertain. The original post follows: _____________________________________________________________________________________
Lucasfilm is definitely not taking it easy with Star Wars: Episode VII filming in full swing overseas. Not only do we have the recent announcement of the talent attached to direct two spinoff films (see here and here) but now Deadline drops the mega-scoop that the writer-director of the extremely inventive sci-fi flick Looper has been hired to write and direct Star Wars: Episodes VIII and IX, taking over duties from J.J. Abrams.
It is interesting to note Abrams departure from the franchise after one film and the trust they must have for Johnson to begin the monumental task of taking on double duty for the final two films of this new trilogy.
I have to tip my cap to the new Disney/Lucasfilm team for choosing really interesting and talented filmmakers to helm the new generation of Star Wars films. Most of these names have grown up with this property and have it in their DNA, so much so that they pursued the career they currently have attained. That kind of talent mixed, with passion, usually results in quality filmmaking and hopefully results in a return to glory for the galaxy far, far away.
rian johnson star wars star wars: episode ix star wars: episode viii