Rian Johnson will write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII

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Rian Johnson will write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII
(Image credit: Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

Major news from a studio far, far away: Disney has reportedly tapped Looper writer/director Rian Johnson to serve as screenwriter and director for Star Wars: Episode VIII, taking the lead role in guiding the franchise after J.J. Abrams' Star Wars: Episode VII.

Disney hasn't made a formal announcement yet, but Johnson took to Twitter to mark the occasion with a hilarious (and profane) video clip. --Scott Meslow

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Scott Meslow
Scott Meslow

Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.