BENICIO DEL TORO, LAURA DERN ANNOUNCED FOR STAR WARS: EPISODE 8; FIRST SET VIDEO RELEASED
Newcomer Kelly Marie Tran also has a role in the film.
A few days after Disney CEO Bob Iger noted production has begun on Star Wars: Episode VIII, Lucasfilm has sent out an official press release announcing the sequel is now filming, and in the process, has officially revealed a trio of new cast members joining the saga.
A teaser video was posted by Lucasfilm that implies Episode VIII could begin right where The Force Awakens concluded - or at the very least in the same location:
While the actor himself had spoken about likely being in the film since last summer, this is the first time Lucasfilm has said that Benicio Del Toro (Guardians of the Galaxy, The Usual Suspects) is officially cast in Episode VIII. Joining him will be Laura Dern (Jurassic Park, Enlightened) and a relative newcomer, Kelly Marie Tran. Tran's credits include a couple episodes of the NBC comedy About a Boy, along with the series Ladies Like Us and several College Humor originals.
Back in September, several actresses around Tran's age range, including Orphan Black's Tatiana Maslany, Bates Motel's Olivia Cooke and Jane the Virgin's Gina Rodriguez, were said to be up for a role in Episode VIII, so it's possible Tran was ultimately cast as whatever new character they were in contention for.
Not shockingly, details about the storyline of Episode VIII are being kept under wraps, along with who these new actors are playing, with the press release simply stating, "Rey took her first steps into a larger world in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and will continue her epic journey with Finn, Poe, and Luke Skywalker in the next chapter of the continuing Star Wars saga, Star Wars: Episode VIII, which began principal photography at Pinewood Studios in London on February 15, 2016."
Confirmed by Lucasfilm as returning for Episode VIII are Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis. Star Wars: Episode VIII, which is written and directed by Rian Johnson (Brick, Looper).
Star Wars: Episode VIII is produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski. New crew members announced include Steve Yedlin (Director of Photography), Bob Ducsay (Editor), Rick Heinrichs (Production Designer), Peter Swords King (Hair and Make-Up Designer), and Mary Vernieu (US Casting Director). They join the returning Pippa Anderson (Co-Producer, VP Post Production), Neal Scanlan (Creature & Droid FX Creative Supervisor), Michael Kaplan (Costume Designer), Jamie Wilkinson (Prop Master), Chris Corbould (SFX Supervisor), Rob Inch (Stunt Coordinator), Ben Morris (VFX Supervisor), and Nina Gold (UK Casting Director).
Star Wars Episode 8 Working Title Revealed - GS News Update
The working title of Star Wars Episode 8 has been revealed. While it will be some time before we learn of the film's official name, we now know that it has a temporary title of Space Bear.
'Star Wars: Episode VIII' -- Meet the New Characters
Filming for 'Star Wars: Episode VIII' is underway in Croatia and there are a lot of new faces on set.
We got pics of two new alien species ... and a land speeder, which looks like an upgrade from any of the pod racers in 'Episode I.' Then again, anything is an upgrade from 'Episode I.'
Production moved from a London studio to Dubrovnik this month and set designers got creative with the Old Town's gothic architecture ... giving it some 'Star Wars' flare! Filming is about 5 weeks in, but the movie won't hit theaters until December 2017.
These pics will have to tie you over, Star Wars nation. Click 'SHOW MORE' for related content....
We don’t normally respond to fan or press speculation, but there is a rumor circulating that we would like to address. We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher’s performance as Princess or General Leia Organa.
Carrie Fisher was, is, and always will be a part of the Lucasfilm family. She was our princess, our general, and more importantly, our friend. We are still hurting from her loss. We cherish her memory and legacy as Princess Leia, and will always strive to honor everything she gave to Star Wars.
THE OFFICIAL TITLE FOR STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII REVEALED
ANNOUNCING THE NAME OF THE NEXT FILM IN THE SKYWALKER SAGA.
We have the greatest fans in this or any other galaxy. In appreciation of the fans, we wanted them to be the first to know the title of the next chapter in the Skywalker saga: STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI.
THE LAST JEDI is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman and executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Jason McGatlin, and Tom Karnowski.
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is scheduled for release December 15, 2017.