Originally published January 21, 2016. Updated April 15, 2018.
Warning – spoilers for Star Wars: The Force Awakens below…
It was shockingly announced last night that Disney and Lucasfilm had made the decision to push back Star Wars: Episode VIII to December 15th, 2017 – which means we’re looking like we’re getting a new Star Wars movie every Christmas rather than being spread throughout the calendar year.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the reason Disney and Lucasfilm pushed Star Wars: Episode VIII back was to re-work the current script they’ve got to push more focus on the new characters set up in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This would mean that the previous plans for Episode VIII were to focus on the likes of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, but the outlet claims that the positive reaction to characters like Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren and Poe Dameron has caused the studio to shift focus over to them.
SEE ALSO: John Boyega promises Star Wars: Episode VIII will be much darker
“Obviously the December date worked out very (very) well for them but I’ve also heard they are rewriting the script,” THR’s Boryz Kit tweeted. “I’ve heard from several sources the rewrites are positive, based on audience reaction to the new characters. People loved them. So strongly. And Lucasfilm was surprised at how well they were received, according to several sources.”
What do you make of this rumour? Do you think Lucasfilm intended to push the new character to the side now Luke Skywalker is back?
Star Wars: Episode VIII is set for release on December 15th 2017, and will be directed by Rian Johnson (Looper) with returning stars Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Domnhall Gleeson (General Hux), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Katana), Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma), Andy Serkis (Supreme Leader Snoke), Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Anthony Daniels (C3-PO) joined by newcomer Benicio Del Toro (Guardians of the Galaxy) in an unknown role.
