With Star Wars: The Last Jedi due to hit cinemas a month from now, Lucasfilm have thrown in some more exciting news for fans with regards to the future of the epic sci-fi saga.

The studio confirmed last night that a new trilogy of films will be made after the release of Star Wars: Episode IX in 2019. Last Jedi director Rian Johnson is set to take on the audacious task of helming all three installments which will move away from the renowned Skywalker saga.

On the news, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said:

“We all loved working with Rian on The Last Jedi. He’s a creative force, and watching him craft The Last Jedi from start to finish was one of the great joys of my career. Rian will do amazing things with the blank canvas of this new trilogy.”

Lucasfilm also talked about the different path taken in terms of the new trilogy’s story as they look to focus on “new characters from a corner of the galaxy that Star Wars lore has never before explored”.

Rian Johnson’s producer Ram Bergman stated:

“We had the time of our lives collaborating with Lucasfilm and Disney on The Last Jedi. Star Wars is the greatest modern mythology and we feel very lucky to have contributed to it. We can’t wait to continue with this new series of films.”

Additionally, the sci-fi franchise will also its own live-action series which will premiere on Disney’s new streaming service which launches in 2019.

No official release date has been confirmed for either the new trilogy or the series although fans can look forward to the arrival of The Last Jedi when it hits cinemas on December 14th.