Rian Johnson to develop new Star Wars trilogy

Rian Johnson will continue working on the Star Wars franchise with the launch of a new trilogy.

The filmmaker recently directed Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but the new films will be "separate from the episodic Skywalker saga."

"Johnson will introduce new characters from a corner of the galaxy that Star Wars lore has never before explored," a statement from a representative at Lucasfilms reads.

Further details have yet to be released and it is unclear when the projects will hit theaters.

"He's a creative force, and watching him craft The Last Jedi from start to finish was one of the great joys of my career," Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy says. "Rian will do amazing things with the blank canvas of this new trilogy."

In addition to the films, a live-action Star Wars series will be developed and released on Disney's new streaming service.

The Last Jedi will hit theaters in December, while J.J. Abrams is returning to helm 2019's Star Wars: Episode IX.