'Star Wars: Episode VIII' News: Luke Skywalker's Return Teased by Disney
"Star Wars: Episode VIII" has officially started its production, Disney announced on Monday a video clip teasing the return of Luke Skywalker.
The production announcement for "Star Wars: Episode VIII" shows Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) facing each other. The scene in the teaser shows a different perspective on their meeting shown in the last part of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," according to Us Weekly.
Aside from Luke Skywalker's return, Disney also revealed the cast members who will return for the next sequel and the setting for their shoot in London, the report relays.
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"We are thrilled to announce Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern and Kelly Marie Tran will join Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill and director Rian Johnson for Star Wars: Episode VIII, which begins shooting at London's Pinewood Studio today," the Facebook announcement says. "May the Force be with you, always."
Based on Disney's announcement on Facebook, most of the stars from "The Force Awakens" will return for "Star Wars: Episode VIII" and reprise their roles, with the exception of a couple of key cast members. The two newcomers in the lineup are Dern and Tran, the Rolling Stone reports.
As of now, Del Toro's role is still unknown, but there are speculations that he will play a villain in the upcoming movie. The movie is written and directed by Rian Johnson, the report details.
Production for the new "Star Wars" film was earlier postponed for seven months as part of Disney's attempt to dominate the box office during the Holiday Season. "The Force Awakens" had smashed domestic box office records, the publication notes.
"Star Wars: Episode VIII" is slated to premiere in theaters on Dec. 15, 2017. While waiting for the movie next year, fans can watch the spin-off titled "Rogue One," which will hit theaters on Dec. 16.
