Star Wars Episode VIII has begun filming, and Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro have joined the returning cast.
Disney and Lucasfilm released a short trailer today to announce that filming for Star Wars Episode VIII had finally begun, while dropping news that Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro will be joining the cast.
The trailer isn’t much, showing a closeup of a brooding Luke Skywalker on his island, looking at Rey as she offers him his old lightsaber. That is quickly followed by “Cut,” and a quick celebration shot of Episode VIII “The Production Begins” announcement.
From the studio:
“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 Feb. 15, 2016.”
Dern, who starred in Jurassic Park and Enlightened, and Del Toro, an Oscar winner for Traffic, will be joining the cast, along with newcomer Kelly Marie Tran. There was no reveal as to who they would be playing, but we also know that Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Domhnall Gleeson are returning. Even Gwendoline Christie will be back as Captain Phasma.
The script is being written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman. Executive Producer J.J. Abrams apparently loves the script.
The film is scheduled to be released on Dec. 15, 2017.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
