I'm confused! Judging by the trailer it looks like it is completely different from the previous Force Awakens that was showing earlier in the year - different actors, different characters, different story line - I don't get it. I assumed that the next film would just follow on from the last one, especially since the Force Awakens left a big opening for a sequel.
Ummm….that's because it is... Star Wars Ep VIII in production following on from Force Awakens will be released Dec 2017..and then Ep IX to end the sequel trilogy..
Disney also will produce stand alone Star Wars Stories apart from the trilogies..spin off's Han Solo is in pre-production due for release May 2018 ..Others rumoured in the pipeline a Bounty Hunter Movie based on Bobo Fett ...Yoda - the early years Pre Phantom Menace and the life and times of Obi-Wan Kenobi..