Rian Johnson's highly anticipated Star Wars: Episode VIII was just announced.  And the title is... Star Wars: The Last Jedi!

Here's what Disney had to say about the title, their fans, and the next chapter in the Skywalker Saga in a press release:

We have the greatest fans in this or any other galaxy.  In appreciation of the fans, we wanted them to be the first to know the title of the next chapter in the Skywalker saga: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski.

 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is scheduled for release December 15, 2017.

And here's your first look at the new title in poster form!

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Lots of folks on social media are already freaking out over the title. What does it mean? Who is it talking about? Is the saga really going to conclude, and will we never see a Jedi again? What about the Sith?

Obviously, most of these questions won't be answered until the film opens late this year, but there are enough clues to entice fans for a while. Luke could very well be the last Jedi the title talks about, but it's equally plausible that he'll pass the mantle of the Jedi on to someone else, making them the title character. What's equally curious is Disney's phrasing as this film being "the next chapter in the Skywalker saga", but not the last. And one thing few people have remarked on so far is the color of the Star Wars title outline, a very Sithian red. Perhaps that bodes ill for our heroes, or is just a nod to Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. And if Star Wars: The Last Jedi follows the pattern of the original film trilogy (much like Star Wars: The Force Awakens had many similarities to Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope), then the good guys should be in for a very bad time. (Or it's just a cool title that uses the buzzy word "Jedi"...) Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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Image via Disney / Lucasfilm

John Boyega (Finn), Daisy Ridley (Rey), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma), Dohmnall Gleeson (General Hux), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), the late Carrie Fisher (General Leia), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), and Andy Serkis (Snoke) all return for the latest Star Wars. They’ll be joined by newcomers Benicio Del ToroLaura Dern, and Kelly Marie Tran. The film is scheduled for release on December 15, 2017.

Joining Johnson behind the scenes to bring the Force Awakens follow-up to the big screen are his longtime cinematographer Steve Yedlin (Looper), production designer Rick Heinrichs (Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest), costume designer Michael Kaplan (The Force Awakens), hair and make-up designer Peter King (Lord of the Rings), and composer John Williams.

For more on Star Wars: The Last Jedi, click on the links below.

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Image via Rian Johnson
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Image via Rian Johnson
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Image via Rian Johnson
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Image via Lucasfilm