Disney have not only recommitted to the 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII (which was in some doubt when director J.J. Abrams refused to be held to it…), but the company has also announced that the ‘Episode’ films will alternate annually with the ‘stand-alone’ Star Wars movies.

The means Episode VII in 2015 will be followed by Episode VIII in 2017 and the final instalment in the sequel trilogy, Episode IX, in 2019 (incidentally, the year Blade Runner is set). In between, there will be at least two stand-alone Star Wars movies, the first in 2016 and the second in 2018. Rumours have suggested these may feature a young Han Solo or a film based around armour-clad bounty hunter (and fan favourite) Boba Fett.

Disney chairman Alan Horn made the scheduling announcement at the annual CinemaCon exhibitors convention in Las Vegas. Horn confirmed that the stand-alone films will be ‘movies derived from that [Star Wars] universe’. The casting for the Star Wars sequel movies has not yet been confirmed, with speculation rife that Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher will be reunited. Speaking about his possible return recently, Han Solo actor Harrison Ford said: ‘I think it’s almost true… I’m looking forward to it, it’s not in the bag yet, but I think it’s happening.’