Rian Johnson, the director of amazing films such as Brick, The Brothers Bloom, and Looper, is set to write and direct Star Wars: Episodes VIII and IX! I couldn’t be more excited about this, I’m seriously beside myself with geek enthusiasm. I’m seriously more thrilled about this news than I was when I first heard J.J. Abrams was directing Episode VII.

Johnson is one of the most talented directors working today. It’s so great that Disney and Lucasfilm recognize that talent and hired him to bring to life the next two more chapters of the Star Wars saga.

I couldn’t think of a better choice to take over for Abrams. As much as I love Abrams, Johnson is a superior filmmaker. The guy has an extremely creative way with words in the scripts he writes and his film direction has always been stunning and beautiful.

According to Deadline, the director is getting started on the films quickly, and it’s obviously going to keep him busy for a few years.  What’s funny about this, is that a year ago the director was asked what his chances on directing a Star Wars movie would be, and this is what he had to say:

“I don’t think I’m on those sorts of lists. On the one hand, it’s Star Wars, it would be very hard to say no to.

“On the other hand, for me, I’m really enjoying just writing my own stuff, and right now that’s what I’m doing, I’m writing another original screenplay now, and we’ll figure out how to get it made.

“That’s sort of what I’m in it for, is telling my own stories, and seeing if we can strike out on some new ground. So, luckily I don’t think it’s a problem that I’ll have to deal with!”

There will be a female villain. Over 50% sure she’s a Sith. I’ll follow up on this in later weeks.

Despite having 30 Years after Jedi to set one up, there is NO New Republic at the start of Episode VII.

Boba-Fett-similar armor is around. Probably not for the man himself. Mandalorians? Clone drama? Still unclear on a plot/character connection.

John Boyega isn’t a Jedi or a Padawan at the beginning of the movie, he’s the one that has the story arc that brings him into Star Wars’ greater universe. It has echoes of Luke’s arc in A New Hope.

Another source, actor Simon Pegg, previously seen in JJ Abram’s ‘Star Trek’ series and ‘Mission Impossible 3’, is in fact playing a secret role in the film and was present on set to shoot scenes in Abu Dhabi. This is in stark contrast to what Pegg had to say about a possibility of starring in Star Wars previously:

“I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to be in it, to be honest. I think J.J. should cast new faces with no stunt casting.”

Whether he changed his mind or this was a ruse all along, the fact is that Pegg may have an unannounced cameo or role in the film that we don’t know about just yet.

Recently, Making Star Wars reported some Star Wars Episode VII rumors from the Pinewood Studios lot. Today Latino-Review has weighed in on the veracity of the rumors based on what their sources have told them.

“First off, I’m not sure who is calling any of these people ‘Jedi Hunters,’ I have never heard that before. The term more often used in Latino Review correspondence has been ‘mercenaries,’ but mostly as a way to talk about them as a group of villains who are vaguely aligned for the same purpose, being controlled by a master or a source of income.

“Yes, Lupita Nyong’o and Adam Driver are in our villain cluster and there’s something vaguely Sith about the way they operate.”

Making Star Wars attempted to connect the “Jedi Hunters” with a character in the Star Wars Rebels series called the Inquisitor, speculating that David Oyelowo would be voicing the character who would appear in both projects. However, Oyelowo is actually playing a character named Imperial Agent Kallus. According to Latino-Review,

“David Oyelowo has not been on set and is NOT playing a CG character.”

Making Star Wars’ studio lot sources were right about several aspects of the look of the film, though. There are black and chrome stormtroopers. Since the New Republic never rose, there’s a lot of “very Imperial, but very new” stuff floating around the galaxy. Latino-Review claims there’s a battle on a Star Destroyer. A lot of the costume and set design is based on Ralph McQuarrie’s concept art for the original trilogy. And since the design of several characters in Star Wars Rebels is also based on McQuarrie’s work, Rebels will help to build the universe of the new trilogy.

According to Latino-Review’s source:

“there are black stormtroopers & other McQuarrie design helmets/costumes. Basically they’re reusing tons of discarded McQuarrie concepts…”

Latino-Review’s final assessment of the rumors?

“I think what we really got this week in Star Wars news is two or three good pieces of design information wrapped in speculation about what it’s all going to mean.”