‘Star Wars’ Episode 8 Release Date Pushed Back; ‘Darker’ Plot To Focus On Rey’s Backstory?

The release date of "Star Wars" episode 8, whose plot has been rumored to be "darker," has been pushed back by seven months.

This means that instead of its original May 26, 2017 playdate, the highly-anticipated sequel to the record-breaking "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will premiere on Dec. 15, 2017, according to Slash Film.

The change in the film's release date was announced by Exhibitor Relations via Its Twitter feed.

"STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII jumps ship from 5/26/17 and will now launch on 12/15/17," the company tweeted.

However, it was unclear what prompted Exhibitor's decision to move the release date of "Star Wars" episode 8.

If the company sticks to this new timeline, the forthcoming installment of the iconic inter-galactic space saga will be going head to head with "Avatar 2" which is scheduled to hit theatres on Dec. 25, 2017.

Slash Film views this development as "a gigantic game of science-fiction-sequel chicken being played out by two unmovable forces."

On one side is powerhouse producer Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm who made "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" into the biggest movie in American box office history.  

And on the other side is James Cameron whose groundbreaking CGI-powered  movie still holds the worldwide box office record.

The change in the release date of "Star Wars" episode 8, whose plot is anticipated to focus on Rey's backstory, shows a major shift in the beloved franchise's history.

The movie has traditionally opened in theatres on Memorial Day since 1977.

However, studio executives were forced to roll out "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" in December of last year due to "behind-the-scenes" developments, which turned out to be a wise decision.

In the meantime, Daisy Ridley, the English actress who shot to fame after portraying Rey in "The Force Awakens," has hinted that "Star Wars" episode 8 will soon start production, reported Digital Spy.

In a cryptic Instagram shared picture of a bouquet of flowers with the caption "#VIII", which to "Star Wars" fans could only mean one thing.

The photo also show thede top end of a letter, which read, "as we begin this tremendous..." and "...appreciation for your..."

Despite the adjustment in the release date of "Star Wars" episode 8 and dearth of plot details, its legion of followers are expected to make the film another blockbuster hit.