Star Wars: Episode VIII release delayed until December 2017

Star Wars Episode VIII, the next instalment in the core Star Wars saga (and new Star Wars trilogy) has been handed a new release date. Episode VIII will now be targeting a December 15, 2017 opening.

The movie was originally planned to hit cinemas during the summer of 2017; however, as a result of production delays it seems a holiday release will now be the target window for Star Wars once more. Given the success of Episode VII: The Force Awakens, a delay to December should have little impact on the film's box office performance.

Star Wars Episode VIII was written by and is being directed by Rian Johnson. It's currently in pre-production and will begin principal photogrpahy in London next month. Though not directing, J.J. Abrams, who helmed The Force Awakens, is still involved and will serve as executive producer.

Details of the aforementioned delays have not been released as of yet but fans will be looking towards the near future anyway, with Star Wars: Rogue One set for a December 2016 release.

For those that haven't heard already, Rogue One will be based sometime between the prequel trilogy and the start of the original trilogy, following a group of rebel fighters as they seek to obtain the Empire's plans for the Death Star.

If you would like to read more about Rogue One you can do by clicking here.

[Disney]