'Looper' Director Rian Johnson In Talks Write and Helm 'Star Wars: Episode VII' and Maybe 'Episode IX'

The future of the Star Wars franchise has found its director. Deadline reported on Friday that Looper director Rian Johnson is in talks to write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII and Star Wars: Episode IX. Johnson will take over for JJ Abrams, who is directing the franchise revival with Star Wars: Episode VI. (According to The Hollywood Reporter, Johnson is only writing the treatment for Episode IX, not directing it. We'll have to see how this part sorts out.)

Damn, it's an exciting time to be a Star Wars fan. With Abrams directing Episode VII and Gareth Edwards and Josh Trank directing two Star Wars spinoffs, the franchise is bursting at the seams with massively talented directors right now. For anyone who ever complained about George Lucas as a Star Wars director, this is your time.

Way back in October 2012 when Disney purchased Lucasfilm and the Sequel Trilogy was announced, I published a list of five directors who Lucasfilm should consider to handle the future of Star Wars. Johnson was on that list. I loved Looper, and I couldn't be happier to see Star Wars in his hands.

Johnson is probably best known for directing Looper and Brick, but he also directed two episodes of Breaking Bad, "Fly" and "Ozymandias," which is widely considered one of the best episodes of television ever.