Disney and Lucasfilm announced that Star Wars: Episode VIII, originally scheduled for release in summer 2017, will now debut on December 15, 2017.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story will still be released December 16, 2016.
The move makes sense. Not only does it give director Rian Johnson, who is rumored to be doing major rewrites, more time, it will now mirror the release schedule of The Force Awakens, which is still enjoying massive success over a month after release thanks to a lack of competition. The May release, the traditional date for the previous six Star Wars movies, would mean stiffer competition from other summer blockbusters.
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