Deadline is reporting that Looper Director Rian Johnson will be writing and directing Star Wars: Episode VIII and at least writing the treatment for Star Wars: Episode IX. This is s huge break for Johnson, just like Gareth Edwards who has been named as the director of one of the spin-off films.
The big reason for having him do the treatment for Episode IX is that it will help ensure a smoother transition and that the story he puts together in VIII gets seen through to the end if he does not direct it
as well.
Deadline is saying:
“Johnson get started quickly and this will be his preoccupation for quite awhile.”
As to what Johnson is saying. He’s posted this appropriate movie clip on his Twitter account from the film: The Right Stuff.