After over 30 years, Luke Skywalker is the man of the hour once again. The entire framework behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and its marketing campaign, hinged on the unsolved mystery of Skywalker’s disappearance. In fact, it’s the first thing that we learn in the opening crawl, while setting the film’s plot in motion. The movie then shifts its focus to the other new and returning characters, such as Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron, who all are expected to have huge roles in the upcoming sequel. However, by the end of The Force Awakens, it’s clear that Skywalker will serve as a large presence in the overall arc of Episodes VII, VIII and IX.
Today, Lucasfilm and Disney announced that principal photography for Star Wars: Episode VIII officially began today. This should calm the nerves of excited fans who were concerned about last month’s announcement that the release date for the movie had been pushed seven months. Lucasfilm and director Rian Johnson (Looper) gave a metaphorical thumbs up with today’s teaser, that features the crew finishing the final scene from The Force Awakens. What will happen next is anyone’s guess. Will Luke say “Rey, I am your father.” Will he just leave her hanging? The possibilities are endless, but we will know all the answers in less than two years… Until then, enjoy this glimpse of Star Wars: Episode VIII.
Official Announcement:
Rey took her first steps into a larger world in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and will continue her epic journey with Finn, Poe, and Luke Skywalker in the next chapter of the continuing Star Wars saga, Star Wars: Episode VIII, which began principal photography at Pinewood Studios in London on February 15, 2016.
Star Wars: Episode VIII, which is written and directed by Rian Johnson and continues the storylines introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, welcomes back cast members Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis. New cast members will include Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro, Academy Award nominee Laura Dern, and talented newcomer Kelly Marie Tran.
Star Wars: Episode VIII is produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski. Joining the production crew will be some of the industry’s top talent, including Steve Yedlin (Director of Photography), Bob Ducsay (Editor), Rick Heinrichs (Production Designer), Peter Swords King (Hair and Make-Up Designer), and Mary Vernieu (US Casting Director). They will be joining returning crew members Pippa Anderson (Co-Producer, VP Post Production), Neal Scanlan (Creature & Droid FX Creative Supervisor), Michael Kaplan (Costume Designer), Jamie Wilkinson (Prop Master), Chris Corbould (SFX Supervisor), Rob Inch (Stunt Coordinator), Ben Morris (VFX Supervisor), and Nina Gold (UK Casting Director).
Star Wars: Episode VIII opens in theaters on December 15, 2017.
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Source: StarWars.com