Stars Wars spinoff film gets a title, sequel gets a release date

Walt Disney Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Bob Iger kicked off the company’s annual shareholder meeting with a bit of “Star Wars”-related news.

Iger said that the first in a series of spinoffs in the franchise would be titled “Rogue One.” He said the picture, which is to be directed by Gareth Edwards, would begin filming this summer.

Also, Iger said that “Star Wars: Episode VIII” would be released May 26, 2017. The project will be directed by Rian Johnson.

Disney acquired Lucasfilm, the production company behind “Star Wars,” for about $4 billion in 2012.

Disney’s annual meeting is being held at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Shareholders will be asked to elect 10 members of its board of directors and consider two shareholder proposals.

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