More Star Wars News from the D23 EXPO

Star Wars Rogue One Cast and Details Announced:

Principal photography has began for "Star Wars Rogue One" for the first film in the standalone Star Wars films as announced by Lucasfilm during the D23 EXPO yesterday. Director Gareth Edwards says the story will be based on a group of resistance fighters who have united to steal plans of the Death Star. The movie is set before the events of "Star Wars: A New Hope." 

Producer Kathleen Kennedy said it would be a departure from the saga films but will have elements familiar to the Star Wars universe. She continued, "It goes into new territory, exploring the galactic struggle from a ground-war perspective while maintaining the essential Star Wars feel that fans have come to know. Gareth is such an innovative director and I'm so excited to be working with him and the extraordinary ensemble cast he's selected for "Rogue One."

The cast includes Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything), Diego Luna (Milk and Killing Them Softly), Ben Mendelsohn (Bloodline), Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Forest Whitaker (The Butler), Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale), Alan Tudyk, and Riz Ahmed (Nightcrawler).

The film is set for a release date of December 16, 2016. 

Colin Trevorrow Set to Direct Star Wars Episode IX:

While filming won't begin for a few years on Episode IX of the Star Wars sage, yesterday during the Walt Disney Studios panel a director was announced for the film. Colin Trevorrow who just finished directing this summer's smash hit "Jurassic World" has been chosen to direct the film that is set for release in 2019.

Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said, "Colin is someone I've been wanting to work with ever since I saw "Safety Not Guaranteed." The power of that film paired with the enormous success of "Jurassic World" speaks volumes about his abilities both as a storyteller and skilled filmmaker. We are thrilled to have such an incredible talent as Colin join our family and step into the Star Wars universe."

Trevorrow had this to say about being chosen, "This is not a job or an assignment. It is a seat at a campfire, surrounded by an extraordinary group of storytellers, filmmakers, artists, and craftspeople. We’ve been charged with telling new stories for a younger generation because they deserve what we all had—a mythology to call their own. We will do this by channeling something George Lucas instilled in all of us: boundless creativity, pure invention and hope.”

Episode IV will complete the third trilogy of the Star Wars saga.

More Details Announced For Star Wars: The Force Awakens and other Upcoming Films:

With Director J.J. Abrams on the stage more news during the presentation more details were announced on "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", it opens in only 123 days. Abrams introduced stars John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, and Lupita Nyong'o were welcomed to the stage. 

Boyega made the big announcement that everyone in the audience would get a commemorative Drew Struzan D23 EXPO special poster. Then in a very surprising appearance Harrison Ford appeared on stage with the rest of cast members to wild applause.

Alan Horn took the stage to reveal some details on other Star Wars films that are in the works with their scheduled dates and directors. 

• Star Wars Episode VIII will be released May 26, 2017 directed by Rian Johnson
• The "Untitled" Han Solo Standalone film will be released May 25, 2018 and will be directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller with Lawrence Kasdan and John Kasdan writing the screenplay.

Star Wars Designs and Special Meet & Greet Available for Disney Rewards Visa By Chase:

Yesterday, it was announced Chase that new Star Wars designs would be made available to new and current Disney Reward Visa Cardmembers. New designs will feature Darth Vader, Yoda, or R2-D2 with C-3PO.

That's not all as Disney Cardmembers will be given the benefit of an exclusive meet & greet that will feature Darth Vader in a private setting at both Disney World and Disneyland beginning in 2016.