Rian Johnson is currently busy making a small movie called Star Wars: Episode 8, but he's also found the time to help out on another bit of Star Wars related content.
In a post on StarWars.com titled '8 reasons Star Wars: Bloodline will be essential reading', Lucasfilm'a Senior Editor Jennifer Heddleit reveals that the director contributed to the upcoming novel:
"Some of the story ideas and elements in this novel came straight from Rian Johnson, director of the forthcoming Episode VIII. We are indebted to him for his creativity and generosity!"
Set before the events of The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Bloodline will explore how General Leia formed the Resistance in addition to how The First Order began. It's a smart way to fill in the gaps when it comes to what our favourite characters have been up to since Return of the Jedi, and the promise of more Han Solo and Darth Vader puts the novel at the top of my need to read list.
Star Wars: Bloodline is published on May 3, 2016.
Directed by Rian Johnson and starring Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Laura Dern, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Gwendoline Christie, and Benicio del Toro, Star Wars: Episode 8 opens in cinemas on December 15, 2017.
Images: Disney/Lucasfilm
