Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Yup, it’s official: Episode VIII has started production! Here’s the official press release from Lucasfilm, and here’s the nifty little video they included with it (dig the spine-tingling take on the Force Theme in there – makes me think something is not right in Luke’s head):
Okay, here’s what we know or presume based on these little tidbits of information:
1. Though Kathleen Kennedy said that Harrison Ford would be back for Episode VIII (by implication) back in December, he’s not included in the new cast announcement, so it seems he’s not coming back for flashbacks or anything like that. (Unless they’ve got a surprise or two up their sleeves.)
2. It looks as though the rumors about early Episode VIII filming in the fall of 2015 were true, because the video certainly doesn’t look like February in Ireland, and the release said filming had begun at Pinewood in London.
3. It also looks as though the story of Episode VIII might pick up right where The Force Awakens left off, which would be a change compared to the pattern of both the Original and Prequel Trilogies (three years between Star Wars and Empire, and ten years between Menace and Clones).
So, what do you think? Are you psyched that’s it’s begun? Looking forward to a new spin on the Star Wars vision from Rian Johnson? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Trivia Time!
Test your knowledge of the Star Wars universe!Yesterday’s answer: The Ileenium system
Today’s question: Who’s the bounty hunter/weapons dealer that Luke nearly killed almost 30 years before his (cut) appearance on Jakku in The Force Awakens?