It's a good time to be a geek in Hollywood, as word has it  Rian Johnson will write and direct Star Wars: Episode VIII and possibly Episode VIX . He takes over from JJ Abrams once the director wraps the Episode VII . Johnson is, of course, the man responsible for the brilliant high-school set detective story Brick and 2012's awesome sci-fi action flick Looper with Bruce Willis and Joseph Gordon-Levitt . Neither movie played by the rules, which makes the man an exciting choice for Star Wars.

Insert Wookie cry of joy here as word hits The Basement that Peter Mayhew will once again suit up as Chewbacca in J.J. Abrams new Star Wars movie . Granted, no official casting has been announced, but The Hollywood Reporter ran a story today saying Mayhew is on board for Episode VII .

Given that it's April 1, I take any news related to Star Wars: Episode VII with a grain of salt , but word has it J.J. Abrams is almost ready to put the latest chapter of the classic film series in front of cameras in May. May 14 to be exact. In Morocco .

With JJ Abrams balls deep in the new Star Wars , and Paramount Pictures keen to keep the Star Trek universe afloat, bringing in a new director is inevitable. Word has it the studio might have found its man in Attack the Block 's Joe Cornish . Attack the Block is awesome. Shawn and I really dug Cornish's tale of British ghetto kids taking on an alien invasion . It's funny, thrilling, and has something to say -- which mean Cornish is a perfect choice for a Star Trek film . No word on what the next Trek will be about or if Cornish is 100 per cent confirmed. But, with Paramount eager to get the third film rolling by next summer, we can expect more details soon! Source: Deadline Related articles 'Attack The Block's Joe Cornish Beaming Up For 'Star Trek 3?' Has STAR TREK 3 Found Its Director? 'Star Trek 3′ Orbits Director Joe Cornish 'Star Trek 3′ Director Search: Joe Cornish Is in Early Talks 'Star Trek 3′ Could Be Directed By Joe ...

Well, Harrison Ford and Benedict Cumberbatch talk Star Wars Episode VII on the very British talk show The Graham Norton Show , which I've never seen and would like to now. Obviously, with Ford on the show and Cumberbatch having recently worked with director JJ Abrams on Star Trek Into Darkness , the topic of the new Star Wars comes up. How these two great actors deal with Norton's questions is amazing. We learn nothing, and it doesn't matter. This is an awesome couple of minutes. See for yourselves. Happy Thanksgiving, y'all. Source: Arrow in the Head Related articles Harrison Ford says he has 'not decided yet' whether he will appear in the new Star Wars film "Star Wars: Episode VII" rumor report - more Cumberbatch 'Star Wars: Episode 7′: Chewbacca Recasting Rumors & Abrams Talks Cumberbatch What Do We Know About 'Star Wars: Episode 7' So Far? Rumor: Benedict Cumberbatch Joins J.J. Abrams' 'Star Wars Ep...

One of the adjustments my wife and I made when we became parents and a one-income family was putting the brakes on regular trips to the multiplex, which wasn't easy given A) we both love movies and B) I review them for The Basement. Fortunately, opportunities like Mike S's birthday come along, affording The Basement's head Twit and I the chance to boldly go where most moviegoers have gone by now. After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction . First off, if you didn't groove on what J.J. Abrams and crew did to Star Trek the first time around, you're probably going to hate this sequel. If you're an open-minded, non-traditionalist like myself and The S -- and Shawn too -- you're likely going to enjoy this action-packed, character-driven space opera. Abrams made Star Trek exciting back in 200...

The more I see of the J.J. Abrams Star Trek sequel, the more it becomes my must-see movie of the year. One my wife and I are willing to hire a babysitter for and venture out to a theatre to see. What's awesome about Paramount's marketing of the film is they've already sold us on the action and darker edge. With this latest trailer, they've brought back the humour, banter and attitude that accompanies the adventures of Capt. James T. Kirk , Spock and Bones McCoy . Oh yeah, Benedict Cumberbatch does some very bad things too. Watch and learn. Star Trek Into Darkness lands in theatres May 17. Source: JoBlo.com Related articles Chris Pine Has A "Fugitive" To Take Out In The New Star Trek Into Darkness Teaser! Watch HERE! Star Trek Into Darkness debuts action-packed new trailer - watch video Latest Star Trek Into Darkness trailer looks incredible Kirk gets a dose of fatherly love in the latest action-packed Star Trek Into Darkness trailer...

UPDATE: The folks at JoBlo.com report that Carrie Fisher's reps have come out and said that Princess Leia was joking when it came to statements about her involvement in Star Wars: Episode VII: "She was joking. Nothing has been announced." Well . . . damn :( We'll be bombarded from now until its 2015 release date with enough casting rumours to fill a Death Star , but it seems Princess Leia herself has confirmed she'll be back in the J.J. Abrams -directed Star Wars Episode VII . The actress and author said so in an interview with Palm Beach Illustrated, where she was asked more than once if she was coming back for more Star Wars and answered in the affirmative. Word has also been swirling around the Interwebs that there's a good chance Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill will return, and that we can expect official word to that effect any time now.   I'll believe it when I see it, but I also have to admit -- I'd like to see it. If done right tha...

Hey, folks- Mike S popping in to drop the down low on some cool " Star Wars " news.  Now, we already know that Disney bought the rights to the " Star Wars " franchise, right?  Right. We ALSO know that Disney has said that they will be producing three more movies in the series, right?  Right. Now, the news you may not have heard yet: JJ Abrams has been brought on board to direct the first of the new movies. That's right. The man that helped to bring " Star Trek " to a brand new -- and exciting, beginning will hopefully bring the same excitement, enthusiasm, and skill to the new " Star Wars " film. Originally, Abrams declined the position when first approached, but Kathleen Kennedy ( Lucasfilm Chief), was ultimately able to bring him to the table and take the job. As fanboys of both " Star Trek " and Star Wars ", we're glad. Lucasfilm spokeswoman Lynne Hale, declined to discuss the deal, and plans for the mo...