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.

There was speculation that J.J. Abrams and company would unveil the cast of Star Wars Episode VII on May 4, that being May the 4th Be With You day or something like that. But that was not the case, as the names were dropped today. Are you ready for it? It's a mix of fresh and old faces. Some of them very old. Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge.

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 .

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...