Disney CEO Bob Iger has confirmed there are at least three "Star Wars" franchise films expected to hit theaters from 2016 to 2018, according to Slash Films.

Iger has been previously quoted stating there are two films in the works after "Star Wars Episode 7."  Iger revealed the news during the The Walt Disney Company quarterly earning stockholders call. 

"In another event last year, Disney's chief financial officer Jay Rasulo referred to these spin off movies not as 'spin-offs,' but as 'origin story films,'" Slash Films reports.  "That's why the rumors of them being about Boba Fett, in between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and Han Solo - between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope - made so much sense.  A potential Yoda origin would have to go back before any canon material exists, which is a very exciting proposition."

"Star Wars Episode 7" stars franchise alums Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Leia), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C3PO), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Kenny Baker (R2D2). 

John Boyega (Attack the Block), Daisy Ridley (Mr. Selfridge), Adam Driver (Girls), Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), Andy Serkis (Lord of The Rings), Domhnall Gleeson (Harry Potter) and Max von Sydow (Shutter Island) also join the cast as franchise newcomers.  Director J.J. Abrams released the following statement regarding the casting news:

"We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again.  We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud."

"Star Wars Episode 7" will be released to theaters on December 18, 2015.