Even as fans are eagerly waiting for the release of the much anticipated 'Star Wars Episode VII' also known as 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' this December, Disney is moving at a faster pace and has already announced the release dates for 'Star Wars' Episodes VIII and IX.

No doubt, fans will be eager to know what Disney has in store for them in these three upcoming movies, reports Christian Today.

According to Get Your Geek On, Disney CEO Bob Iger recently said, "And it's only the beginning of a new era of exceptional 'Star Wars' storytelling; next year we'll release our first standalone movie based on these characters, followed by 'Star Wars: Episode VIII' in 2017, and we'll finish this trilogy with Episode IX in 2019."

Christian Today is of the view that this announcement makes it safe to believe that in addition to the upcoming 'Star Wars' trilogy, company has several other projects up its sleeve.

Although Disney has not said anything in this regard, there are rumors that Rian Johnson, who earlier directed 'Looper,' will be at the helm of 'Star Wars: Episode VIII,' while Gareth Edwards is likely to direct the first 'Star Wars' spin-off movie. Meanwhile, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens,' which scheduled for Dec. 18, 2015 release, is directed by J.J Abrams.

The timeline of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' is set 30 years following the events that occurred in 'Return of the Jedi.' In fact, the subsequent events will determine the goals of the continuing cast members alongside the new leads for the upcoming movies. Like in the case of 'The Force Awakens,' shooting for the 'Star Wars' Episode VIII is also expected to take place in London.