The small Irish island of Skellig Michael has officially become the first location to be featured in both Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens and Star Wars: Episode VIII.
EW was able to obtain confirmation from Lucasfilm that film crew action around Skellig Michael over the past couple weeks is not for The Force Awakens reshoots as the Internet at large had surmised. Instead, Lucasfilm insists that the crews are preparing for writer/director Rian Johnson who will be shooting scenes for Star Wars: Episode VIII on the island next month.
Potential The Force Awakens spoilers follows so proceed at your own risk.
Photos of Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill traveling by boat to Skellig Michael for a brief period during production of Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens points toward Ridley’s character, Rey, tracking reclusive Skywalker to the island where he has been in hiding for many years. Hamill has been suspiciously absent from all The Force Awakens promotional materials and has only appeared from behind and provided voice-over work for the second trailer.
If true then it would make sense for Rey and Skywalker to potentially train on the island in Star Wars: Episode VIII, or spend some time on the island while Rey potentially convinces Skywalker to leave. All indications point toward Hamill having a bigger role in the second new Star Wars film.
Star Wars: Episode VIII is locked into a May 26, 2017 release date.
