Disney Pushes Back Release Date Of 'Star Wars: Episode VIII'

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Star Wars fans, be patient.

Disney will take a little longer to release the next installment in the franchise.

On Wednesday, Walt Disney Studios announced it's pushing back the release date for the film by seven months.

"Star Wars: Episode VIII" will be released Dec. 15, 2017.

The company says it's in pre-production and is set to begin principal photography next month in London.

While no reason was provided for the delay, Disney says "the move follows the extraordinary success of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens.' "

"The Force Awakens" debuted Dec. 17 and set multiple records with its global success.

Disney also announced a new release date for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales."

The film starring Johnny Depp, Orlando Bloom and Javier Bardem will premiere May 26, 2017, about two months earlier than its original release date.