It’s release date may have been pushed back seven months to December 2017, but filming is now officially underway on Star Wars: Episode VIII, with Disney’s Bob Iger making the announcement today during the studio’s quarterly earnings call.
“There is no better way to propel this franchise into the future than producing quality products,” said Iger (via EW). “Filming of Star Wars: Episode VIII, the next chapter of the legendary saga, has just commenced and it will be in theaters December 2017. And production of Star Wars: Episode IX, a 2019 release, has also begun.”
SEE ALSO: Rumour: Ewan McGregor in talks to play Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode VIII
Iger also went on to give a brief update on the Anthology movie Star Wars: Rogue One, which is set for release this December: “Filming of Rogue One is virtually completed and we absolutely love what we’ve seen so far.”
Star Wars: Episode VIII is being directed by Rian Johnson (Looper). 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) are all expected to return and will be joined by saga newcomer Benicio Del Toro (Guardians of the Galaxy) in an unknown role.
SEE ALSO: Pre-order Star Wars: The Force Awakens via Amazon UK or Amazon US
