JJ Abrams and Disney are still reeling in the success that came with Star Wars: Episode VII but the force must go on. As of today, the camera's have started rolling for Star Wars: Episode VIII. The snippet published on the official Star Wars YouTube account shows Luke Skywalker and Rey where they last left off in The Force Awakens.
Standing in all its glory, the glorious Skellig Michael acts as the adverts backdrop and is something to behold. Filming on the Unesco World Heritage site was a contentious issue amongst conservationist groups. Throughout filming on the heritage site, an ecologist monitored the filming activity and had the authority to cut shooting whenever they deemed necessary. However, since the release of The Force Awakens with Skellig Michael's screen debut, Tourism Ireland are honing in on the potential worldwide market that awaits. Tourism Minister, Pascal Donohoe was hugely in favor of the project; "The fact that Skellig Michael features in all its glory brings the dramatic scenery of Co Kerry and the broader Wild Atlantic Way to an audience of potentially hundreds of millions of people." With The Force Awakens after grossing no less than $2 billion, there's no doubt there will be plenty of fans frequenting Kerry's coast.
Primary filming for Star Wars: Episode VIII is taking place at Pinewoods Studio in London with Dubrovnik, Croatia also featuring for location shooting. Disney released their press release which officially announced that our Domhnall Gleeson will reprise his role as General Hux. Gleeson will be joined by most of Episode VII's cast with newcomers to the cast including Benicio Del Toro and Laura Dern. To top it all off, the directing baton has been passed from J.J Abram's to Rian Johnson who will have the expectation of millions on his shoulders to continue on Abram's legacy.
Star Wars: Episode VIII is expected for release on December 15th 2017 but die hard fans will have the spin off Star Wars: Rogue One release this December 16th to tide them over until then.