DHAKA: Rian Johnson, the director of the 2012 time-travel thriller Looper, will write and direct the next film in the new Star Wars trilogy, Episode VIII.

A source with knowledge of the plans said.

Johnson, 40, will also write the initial script for the subsequent film, Episode IX, the source said on Friday, The Straits Times publishes this report on Sunday.

Star Wars: Episode VIII is the second of three films that Walt Disney Co announced after purchasing Star Wars creator George Lucas’ Lucasfilm in 2012 for US$4.05 billion.

The first, Episode VII, is currently in production with director JJ Abrams.

BDST: 1725 HRS, JUNE 22, 2014