Star Wars fans around the world just squealed with excitement at the latest announcement from its creators.
The official site, StarWars.com, posted on Monday:
We have the greatest fans in this or any other galaxy. In appreciation of the fans, we wanted them to be the first to know the title of the next chapter in the Skywalker saga: STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI.
THE LAST JEDI is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski.
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is scheduled for release December 15, 2017.
It’s official. STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is the next chapter of the Skywalker saga. This December. #TheLastJedi https://t.co/ySkVwQcMTP pic.twitter.com/eHrPgbsRJq
— Star Wars (@starwars) January 23, 2017
The movie will bring back Mark Hamill as Luke Skywaker and the late Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia. Fisher had finished filming before her passing at the end of 2016.
According to Wired.com, much to the relief of fans, Lucasfilm will not digitally recreate Fisher in future Star Wars films.
“We don’t normally respond to fan or press speculation, but there is a rumor circulating that we would like to address,” an official statement from Lucasfilm read. “We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher’s performance as Princess or General Leia Organa. Carrie Fisher was, is, and always will be a part of the Lucasfilm family. She was our princess, our general, and more importantly, our friend. We are still hurting from her loss. We cherish her memory and legacy as Princess Leia, and will always strive to honor everything she gave to Star Wars.”
The Last Jedi will pick up the story where The Force Awakens left off.