Star Wars: Episode VIII Production Briefly Delayed, One Cast Member Confirmed

Last week, we learned that some scenes for the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VIII were set to be shot in Ireland this week. The production would set up for just a few days in a location also used for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but now Irish Examiner brings word that filming has been briefly delayed as a result of poor weather conditions. This, however, isn’t the juiciest bit of news, but we’re going to issue a potential spoiler warning for those fans who don’t want to know of a confirmed returning cast member. IE reveals that among those present at Portmagee was none other than Mark Hamill, who will reprise his Luke Skywalker role in the film. It’s unclear what other actors, if any, will be present for these brief shooting days, but check back here as we learn more. Very little is known about the eighth “Saga” chapter of the hugely successful sci-fi fantasy franchise other than that Rian Johnson (Looper, Brick) is attached to both write and direct and Guardians of the Galaxy star Benicio Del Toro is confident he’ll appear as the villain. The film, set for release May 26, 2017, will be produced by Ram Bergman and Kathleen Kennedy and will follow both J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens as well as the franchise’s first “anthology” film, director Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.