As you’re probably already aware, production on Star Wars: Episode VIII under the direction of Rian Johnson is in full swing and the principle cast with a couple key notable additions has been revealed. Spoilers have been light thus far, though Rey herself couldn’t help but gush out some mild Star Wars: Episode VIII Luke Skywalker spoilers on the Red Carpet at the 88th Academy Awards last night.
Luke spent the entirety of Star Wars: The Force Awakens sulking around a small island, presumably home to the first Jedi Temple, otherwise known on our world as Skelling Michael. He was the film’s McGuffin and didn’t physically appear on-screen until the final moments.
As Star Wars: The Force Awakens wrapped up, Rey ascended the island’s many steps and presented a befuddled Luke with his long lost lightsaber — the same weapon once wielded by his father, Anakin Skywalker, and kept in storage for several decades by Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Mark Hamill has already been confirmed as a core cast member for Star Wars: Episode VIII and per Ms. Ridley, the new film will pick up literally where The Force Awakens left off: on the small island. Here’s what Ridley had to say about what we can expect from Luke in the next episode per MTV News:
Me and Mark have been rehearsing a lot. It’s really amazing because when we went back to Skellig to do the opening of eight, it was so crazy doing the same scene with a different crew of people. But he’s (Hamill) amazing to rehearse with and I’m very excited to do the rest of the stuff. It’s such a good story — seriously — Luke is so cool in this one. Really!
Daisy Ridley spills everything she knows about the next #StarWars films. https://t.co/0jEaqYasOl
— MTV NEWS (@MTVNEWS) February 29, 2016
Elsewhere in Star Wars: Episode VIII news, the on-location setup in Dubrovnik is really taking shape with some cool lighting being put into place for the upcoming night shoot. This location will likely provide us with our first look at Star Wars: Episode VIII characters in costume.
