'Breaking Bad' Director Rian Johnson To Direct 'Star Wars 8'

We have some pretty exciting news for all you "Star Wars" fans. 

Rian Johnson, director of the Bruce Willis film "Looper" and director of three episodes of "Breaking Bad," is set to prove his Science fiction prowess in what will be his biggest project to date in the upcoming "Star Wars: Episode VIII" installment. 

According to The Guardian, rumors are also flying that aside from the newest Star Wars film, Johnson has also been chosen to direct Episode IX. The director has yet to comment on this career milestone.

Johnson has a pretty short resume, but contains highly influential projects, writes Rolling Stone. He was first recognized critically in 2005 with the film "Brick," a teen noir, which was followed by a crime comedy titled "The Brothers Bloom." But what is particularly notable about his background is his directorial work on science fiction firm "Looper," which starred Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. "Looper" is about an assassin who was hired to go back in time to kill his younger self and to prevent certain events that unfolded in the present.

Finally, his impressive take on three episodes of the hit AMC TV series "Breaking Bad," he received an award from the Directors Guild of America. 

"Star Wars: Episode VII" will be shot in Abu Dhabi, as J.J. Abrams is trying to recreate the desert landscapes of Tatooine, the home planet of Luke Skywalker. This installment is set 30 years after the events that took place in "Return of the Jedi." Episode VII is set to be shown in theaters on 18 December 2015. As for Episode VIII, it remains to be seen how Johnson will handle the story--but we're all excited for it.

The upcoming trilogy will deal mostly with the rebuilding of the Republic, which was destroyed in the first few installments. It will also be focused on Luke Skywalker's path to becoming a Jedi. Episode VIII will feature the first appearance of the Emperor and will contain Luke's confrontation with him. The episode will also have Luke's sister on board, but it isn't Leia. 

News of Johnson's involvement in the next two Star Wars franchises was first revealed on Deadline. He is expected to write the second treatment to the film but with the intention to work on two installments. He will have Ram Bergman by his side as producer. It is important to note that Bergman was also responsible for producing "Brick" and "Looper," so we can anticipate a very good collaboration between them. 

Are you excited for the next Star Wars installments as we are? Tell us in the comments!