Picture courtesy of Disney

Disney CEO Bob Iger is a busy man today!  At the Annual Shareholder’s meeting, he took the time to announce that two new movies will be rolling out.  John Lasseter and actor Josh Gad (the actor who voiced Olaf), joined Iger to officially announce that Frozen 2 was in development at the Walt Disney Animation Studios.  The Oscar winning producers, directors and writing team of Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck and Peter Del Vecho will once again come together to make what will likely be another blockbuster hit!  More details such as production details and a release date were not announced.

Another great movie franchise, Star Wars, is making news today as well.  Iger announced that Star Wars will also have its very first stand-alone movie titled Rogue One as well as Star Wars: Episode VIII.

Picture courtesy of Disney

Rogue One will start shooting this summer in London and is being directed by Gather Edwards (Monsters) and written by Oscar nominee Chris Weitz (Cinderella).  John Knoll, an Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor, came up with the idea and will be producing along with John Swartz (Star Wars: The Force Awakens).  The release date for this film will be December 16th, 2016!

Rian Johnson was announced as the writer and director of Star Wars: Episode VIII.  This film will tell the story of the events after Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  Star Wars: Episode VIII is set to be released on May 26, 2017.  Star Wars fans will note that this is exactly 40 years and one day after the May 25, 1977 release of  Star Wars: A New Hope.

What an exciting day for all of us Disney movie fans!  I cannot wait to see these movies – especially the Star Wars movies.  I’ve grown up with this series and I can’t wait to see where else the story goes!