Star Wars: Episode VIII

Release Date
 Starring

***Star Wars: Episode VIII*** is an upcoming American science fiction film. Directed by Rian Johnson with a script by the director, the film stars Mark Hamill, Daisey Ridley, Donnie Yen, Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie.

## Development and Production

On June 20, 2014, Rian Johnson was announced to write and direct *Episode VIII* and write *Episode IX*. Kathleen Kennedy, Ram Bergman, Lawrence Kasdan, Simon Kinberg will serve as producers and JJ Abrams as executive producer. Steve Yedlin will serve as cinematographer. Johnson confirmed in August 2014 that he would direct *Episode VIII*. It is scheduled for release on May 26, 2017.

In March 2015, Oscar Isaac confirmed he would reprise his *Force Awakens* role of Poe Dameron in *Episode VIII*. In July 2015, it was reported that Benicio del Toro was being considered for a villain for *Episode VIII*, and del Toro later confirmed that he was cast. In September 2015, it was reported that Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Tatiana Maslany, Gina Rodriguez and Olivia Cooke are on the shortlist for two separate parts.

Like *The Force Awakens*, filming for *Episode VIII* will take place at Pinewood Studios near London. Principal filming is scheduled to begin in 2016. In September 2015, some pre-production filming took place on the island of Skellig Michael, Ireland to take advantage of better weather conditions. In an interview with Wired, Abrams has stated that the film's script is complete. In December 2015, Hamill, Isaac, Christie, and Boyega were confirmed to reprise their roles as Luke Skywalker, Poe Dameron, Captain Phasma and Finn, respectively.

## Cast

* Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
* Daisey Ridley as Rey
* John Bogeya as Finn
* Donnie Yen
* Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron
* Adam Driver as Kylo Ren
* Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke
* Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
* Jimmy Vee as R2-D2
* Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca
* Lupito Nyong'o as Maz Kanata
* Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux
* Benicio Del Toro
* Kelly Marie Tran
* Laura Dern
* Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader (rumored)
* Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma
* Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa
* Harrison Ford as Han Solo (rumored)
* Warwick Davis as Wollivan
* Max Von Sydow as Lor San Tekka
* Bill Hader as BB-8 (voice)

IMDB also lists the following cast members, although they are not confirmed to have roles yet:
* Dante Briggins as Stormtrooper

Disney Wikia also lists the following cast members, although they are not confirmed to have roles yet:
* Greg Gunberg as Snap Wexley

## References

<references>

1. ↑ http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Star-Wars-8-Release-Date-Set-Other-Details-Made-Public-70269.html
2. ↑ http://variety.com/2016/film/news/star-wars-episode-viii-release-date-1201684136/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/star-wars-episode-viii-release-date-1201684136/
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/09/15/mark-hamill-reports-to-set-of-star-wars-episode-viii
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://deadline.com/2014/08/uta-signs-star-wars-lead-daisy-ridley-815881/
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://comicbook.com/2015/12/14/two-more-actors-confirmed-to-return-for-star-wars-episode-viii/
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/07/06/donnie-yen-reportedly-cast-in-star-wars-episode-viii-and-rogue-one
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/20/oscar-isaac-will-be-back-for-star-wars-episode-viii-lobbied-for-x-men-apocalypse-role
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 http://screenrant.com/star-wars-8-casting-benicio-del-toro/
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 http://screenrant.com/star-wars-episode-8-villains-captain-phasma/
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 http://www.moviecastingcall.org/2015/12/star-wars-episode-viii-casting-new-lead-and-supporting-roles.html
11. ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 11.13 http://screenrant.com/star-wars-8-production-start-cast-announcement/
12. ↑ http://screenrant.com/star-wars-8-daisy-ridley-script/
13. ↑ 13.00 13.01 13.02 13.03 13.04 13.05 13.06 13.07 13.08 13.09 13.10 13.11 13.12 13.13 http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/star-wars-producer-kathleen-kennedy-confirms-that-entire-cast-will-return-for-eighth-film-a3139911.html
14. ↑ http://screenrant.com/star-wars-episode-8-script-darker/
15. ↑ http://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-premiere-live-stream-video-1201663062/
16. ↑ http://metro.co.uk/2015/11/16/doctor-who-actor-jimmy-vee-is-the-new-r2-d2-in-star-wars-episode-8-5505452/
17. ↑ http://www.inquisitr.com/2452882/star-wars-rumor-says-hayden-christensen-to-return-to-the-star-wars-universe-for-episode-8/
18. ↑ http://screenrant.com/star-wars-episode-8-captain-phasma/