Star Wars Episode VIII release delayed

Usually, Star Wars movies are released in Summer, but that changed with the latest The Force Awakens. This is no bueno.

The dismay at the delay will be offset by the arrival of the first spin-off movie Rogue One: A Star Wars story, which is still scheduled to arrive on December 16 2016. It has proven a lucrative match for “The Force Awakens”, which has made a record $861 million domestically and $1.88 billion globally in five weeks of release. Disney is obviously seeing $/£ signs here.

Star Wars isn’t the only film to be re-shuffled – with upcoming release dates for reboots Spider-Man and Jumanji also shifting.

Directed by Rian Johnson, the film will start principal photography next month in London, according to StarWars.com. What this delay means for the other two movies (set for release in December 2018 and 2019) is unclear. Both cater to the geek demographic and aren’t exactly what you call counter-programming the way Sisters or Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip was when it opened against The Force Awakens. Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman will produce and J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski will executive produce.

Disney said it will put the fifth instalment of its popular “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise, starring Johnny Depp, in the May 2017 slot previously occupied by “Episode VIII”.

After the breathless ride that was The Force Awakens, many a Star Wars fan has been counting the days until Episode VIII is released in May 2017. As far as anyone knows, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, and Oscar Isaac will all be back to portray their characters in the next Star Wars installment.

Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg are directing “Dead Men Tell No Tales”, with Jerry Bruckheimer producing.