Rian Johnson in talks to write / direct Star Wars Episode 8

[Borgholio]

http://variety.com/2014/film/news/rian- ... 201226481/

While production just began on “Star Wars: Episode VII,” Disney and Lucasfilm are already focusing on Episode VIII. Sources tell Variety that “Looper” director Rian Johnson is in talks to write and direct the next film in the popular series.

Johnson is best known for his sci-fi action pic “Looper” starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis. The pic overperformed at the box office bringing in $176 million worldwide. He also directed several episodes of “Breaking Bad” last season.

Ram Bergman will produce with Johnson.

The Johnson news comes after the company tapped Garreth Edwards and Josh Trank to direct two stand-alone “Star Wars” films.

J.J. Abrams is currently directing the next “Star Wars,” which is filming in London, and sources add that cast and crew were becoming aware that this would probably be the only installment Abrams would be directing.

Johnson has been looking for his next project since “Looper” and was even at one point rumored to be on the shortlist to direct the next “Star Trek.”

He is repped by CAA. Deadline Hollywood first reported the news.

I guess they really weren't kidding when they said they would be fast-tracking the new trilogy. Episode 7 only just started shooting and they're already working on Episode 8!

[Channel72]

I like the idea of passing around the director's chair here. I've never been much of a fan of anything Abrams has directed.

I recall that one of Lucas' original intents was to develop Star Wars into a long-running franchise where many directors would have a chance at the helm.

[Iroscato]

I like the idea of passing around the director's chair here. I've never been much of a fan of anything Abrams has directed.

I recall that one of Lucas' original intents was to develop Star Wars into a long-running franchise where many directors would have a chance at the helm.

That would be pretty cool if it did happen, sounds like what they've been doing with the MCU movies, to give each one a different flavour.
As far as I can see, Star Wars as a franchise may be immune to the reboot cycle, simply because of its sheer vastness and potential complexity. It'd be great if they just released a movie every few years chronicling different eras and conflicts of the universe.

[PREDATOR490]

Star Wars is not immune to being rebooted. At best it may end up being significantly harder to reboot which pushes it way into the future.
The main reason Star Wars has avoided being rebooted is because it is still able to sell well and has not been ground into shit like Star Trek.

That said, the new revival could easily change that dynamic by being so lacklustre it breaks the viability of the franchise much like the post Generations era of Star Trek.

Then again, Star Wars just ended up being remastered extensively rather than rebooted. Once they run out of steam for selling the same thing with trinkets a remake is a potential possibility.

Of course, the opposite of that is for them to try and create a consistent universe like Marvel is doing in a Star Wars setting. Technically, the EU tried to do this but the way that went could make things difficult.

[Borgholio]

Yeah I think you pretty much nailed it. Star Trek went to shit during the Voyager and Enterprise years, the last two TNG movies tanked, and even TNG is not looked back up on fondly. It was begging to be rebooted. Star Wars, on the other hand, remains one of the most popular movies in history despite being nearly 40 years old. It's not going to be easy to reboot something that hasn't gone to hell yet.

[Channel72]

After Spiderman, I wouldn't be surprised if anything was rebooted. Although, that may have set an example for taking reboots too far.