Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi type Movie genre Sci-fi

Action Adventure Where to watch Close Streaming Options

Filmmaker Rian Johnson is already making a few special modifications to the Star Wars universe. The director (best known for Brick and Looper) has started rolling cameras on Star Wars: Episode VIII, according to Disney CEO Bob Iger.

The galactic sequel was set to begin in January, but principal photography was pushed back a few weeks around the same time the movie’s release was shifted from May 2017 to December of that year.

Iger provided updates on the studio’s ever-expanding Star Wars universe during The Walt Disney Co.’s quarterly earnings call, touting the gargantuan financial success of the The Force Awakens. It is only the third film in history to collect more than $2 billion at the global box office, and the only domestic release to collect more than $900 million. In addition, he said it earned more than $3 billion globally in consumer products.

Iger said the company had a simple strategy for the future of Star Wars: don’t lose sight of what sold all those tickets and merchandise.

“There is no better way to propel this franchise into the future than producing quality products,” he said. “Filming of Star Wars: Episode VIII, the next chapter of the legendary saga, has just commenced and it will be in theaters December 2017. And production of Episode IX, a 2019 release, has also begun.”

That third film in the franchise will be directed by Jurassic World and Safety Not Guaranteed filmmaker Colin Trevorrow. Exactly what Iger meant when he said production had begun is unclear, given how far off that movie is — and how much Lucasfilm still has to deliver before that.

“Filming of Rogue One is virtually completed and we absolutely love what we’ve seen so far,” he said, of the heist story about Rebel plans to steal the blueprints for the original Death Star. (The film, directed by Godzilla‘s Gareth Edwards, will be released Dec. 16.) “This is the first of a set of planned stand-alone stories and we’re already in preproduction on our next one, for release in May of 2018.”

That one would be the announced “young Han Solo” movie, which The Lego Movie and 21 Jump Street directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller are making, based on a script by Lawrence Kasdan and his son Jon Kasdan. While Disney has been shifting Star Wars release dates from spring to the winter holidays, Iger’s announcement that young Han Solo would remain in May, at least for now, was a surprise.

For more Star Wars news, follow @Breznican. Sound off in the comments about what else you hope to see from this franchise in the future.

Finally, Iger confirmed that the company planned to break ground later this year on new Star Wars attractions at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, and Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

If they start digging a trench with a giant cannon in the center, we’ll know Disney’s plans for world domination have gone too far.

Episode Recaps Previous 'A long time ago': A Star Wars timeline By Alyssa Smith

The droids of the Star Wars universe, ranked By Devan Coggan

Here's how every Star Wars movie did at the box office By Devan Coggan

Go inside The Art of Star Wars: The Last Jedi with these exclusive photos By Isabella Biedenharn

The Last Jedi: See behind the scenes Star Wars photos captured in a galaxy far, far away By Anthony Breznican

Kelly Marie Tran lived her best life at the Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere By Christopher Rosen

Star Wars: The Last Jedi premiere photos are a Force to behold By Anthony Breznican

Hot Topic unveils Star Wars fashion collection from a galaxy far, far away By Sarah Weldon

Holiday Gift Guide: For the Star Wars Fan By Devan Coggan

Every image from Star Wars: The Last Jedi By Anthony Breznican

14 new Star Wars: The Last Jedi images from a galaxy far, far away By Anthony Breznican

From The Last Jedi to The Shape of Water, 16 movies to see before 2018 By EW Staff

Six New Images from the Latest The Last Jedi Teaser By Anthony Breznican

The Last Jedi Decoded: Inside the Mysteries, Misdirects, and Revelations of the Star Wars Trailer By Anthony Breznican

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Hasbro Toys Revealed at New York Comic Con By Anthony Breznican

Check Out Funko's New Star Wars: The Last Jedi Collection By Jessica Derschowitz

Check Out All of LEGO's New Star Wars: The Last Jedi Sets By Devan Coggan

Hasbro Reveals New The Last Jedi Action Figures For Force Friday By Anthony Breznican

Exclusive New Star Wars Images from The Last Jedi By Anthony Breznican

Red Bleeds Into the New Star Wars: The Last Jedi Teaser Posters By Anthony Breznican

The 30 Weirdest Things In the Star Wars: The Last Jedi Footage By Anthony Breznican Next