Star Wars Episode IX Director Announced; Cast for Rogue One Unveiled; Plans for Star Wars Theme Parks & More!


Disney’s annual D23 Expo is in full swing. Alongside news on Pirates of the Caribbean 5, the Alice in Wonderland sequel, posters for the live action Junglebook, footage of both Civil War and Doctor Strange being shown, it was actually Star Wars fans that were treated best.

Colin Trevorrow is officially announced to direct Star Wars Episode IX! Best known for his most recent success, the box office dominating Jurassic World, the director will begin pre-production on the film this year with the help of fellow directors and artists. He’s quoted as saying the following about directing the last film in the third trilogy:

“This is not a job or an assignment. It is a seat at a campfire, surrounded by an extraordinary group of storytellers, filmmakers, artists and craftspeople. We’ve been charged with telling new stories for a younger generation because they deserve what we all had—a mythology to call their own. We will do this by channeling something George Lucas instilled in all of us: boundless creativity, pure invention and hope.”

  


The cast for Star Wars: Rogue One has been announced! Previously titled the first “Anthology” film, it is now being called “A Star Wars Story”. Director Gareth Edwards has already begun principal photography. Rogue One takes place just before Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, and revolves around rebels who’ve United to steal the plans to the Death Star. The cast list is something truly stellar.

The filmmakers have assembled a stellar cast, including Felicity Jones, nominated for an Academy Award for her leading role in The Theory of Everything; Diego Luna, who was featured in 2008’s Oscar-winning Milk and the critically acclaimed Killing Them Softly; Ben Mendelsohn, recently nominated for an Emmy for his leading role in Bloodline and co-starring in the upcoming Mississippi Grind; Donnie Yen, Hong Kong action star and martial artist who starred in Ip Man and Blade II; Jiang Wen, who co-wrote, produced , directed and starred in the award-winning Let the Bullets Fly and Devils on the Doorstep; Forest Whitaker, recently featured in the critically-acclaimed Lee Daniels’ The Butler and winner of an Academy Award for his leading role in 2006’s The Last King of Scotland; Mads Mikkelsen, who starred in The Hunt and was the memorable villain from 2006’s Casino Royale; Alan Tudyk, who plays a performance-capture character in Rogue One, stars in the soon-to-be-released Con Man series and Trumbo, which releases this November; and Riz Ahmed, who was recently featured in Nightcrawler and starred in the BAFTA-winning film Four Lions.

  
Star Wars: Rogue One will arrive on December 16, 2016.


Disney plans to add 14 acres to both Disneyland and Disneyworld of pure Star Wars madness. Many were expecting them to do something big with the franchise (aside from all the other stuff) but this is frankly overkill. That, and I cannot wait to go. Check out some concept art!

   
    
   


Drew Struzan’s poster for The Force Awakens is beautiful. The artist who’s produced some of the series’ most iconic posters has done it again. And… wait a minute. Finn (John Boyega) is wielding a lightsaber!? What a day!

  

11 thoughts on “Star Wars Episode IX Director Announced; Cast for Rogue One Unveiled; Plans for Star Wars Theme Parks & More!

  1. All very cool… but! But there’s one thing in particular that’s making me giddy like a schoolboy… friggin’ Donnie Yen in a Star Wars movie. One of my favorite actors of all times meets one of my favorite franchises of all times? Yup, that pretty much bought them a fanboy for life.

    Liked by 1 person

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