Rian Johnson to create new 'Star Wars' trilogy, says Walt Disney Co.

The Walt Disney Co. has announced that Rian Johnson will create a new trilogy for the "Star Wars" universe, greatly expanding the director's command over George Lucas' ever-expanding space saga.Disney chief Bob Iger announced the plans Thursday in a call with investment analysts. Johnson is the director of the upcoming "Star Wars" installment "The Last Jedi." Director J.J. Abrams is set to helm the following film, episode nine. But a new trilogy will go beyond the original nine-film framework imagined by Lucas. Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy says Johnson "will do amazing things with the blank canvas."

NEW YORK (AP) —

The Walt Disney Co. has announced that Rian Johnson will create a new trilogy for the "Star Wars" universe, greatly expanding the director's command over George Lucas' ever-expanding space saga.

Disney chief Bob Iger announced the plans Thursday in a call with investment analysts. Johnson is the director of the upcoming "Star Wars" installment "The Last Jedi." Director J.J. Abrams is set to helm the following film, episode nine.

But a new trilogy will go beyond the original nine-film framework imagined by Lucas.

Lucasfilm's Kathleen Kennedy says Johnson "will do amazing things with the blank canvas."

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