We have just learned that Rian Johnson’s long-held title for Star Wars Episode VIII will be The Last Jedi. Last week we ran a report that the director had his title locked from the first draft of the script, now we know what it is, and what his focus for the movie will be.

Johnson has said that it was the mystery of what happened to Luke Skywalker that drew him to the project. While we only had hints as to the whereabouts of the titular final Jedi, the final sequence of J. J. Abrams film gave us many more questions than answers. It seems that Episode VIII will look to answer these questions and focus on the Jedi – which can also be a plural of the word. Also of note – StarWars.com is now labeling the sequel trilogy as The Skywalker saga, surely to distance these films from the spin off Star Wars stories. However it also acts as a guide to where we’re going.

Rey Star Wars Episode VIIIHere’s the first poster for the film, echoing the initial poster for The Force Awakens. A red title though – that’s an interesting move. We should also expect some sort of marketing push during the Superbowl on the 5th of February – a first trailer perhaps? It is an odd time for the Star Wars universe. The massive success of Rogue One was tempered by the sudden loss of Carrie Fisher. Her appearance in the film will be a bittersweet remembrance of all the great work she did for the films, the sci-fi genre and for women everywhere, on screen and as well as off.

Rian Johnson directs Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and newcomers to the saga Benicio del Toro and Laura Dern. The film will be released on the 15th of December, 2017.

More on this as we get it.  The Last Jedi hype train has just pulled out of the (Tosche) station. Everybody on board…

Star Wars The Last Jedi Poster