Filming will commence sooner than expected.
Last week, Benicio Del Toro confirmed that he will be a villain in Star Wars:Episode VIII. He also announced that filming would begin this coming March.
However, it now appears that Episode VIII will begin filming later this month, and it will be done in Ireland.
EW reports that Lucasfilm will return to the gorgeous island of Skellig Michael for initial production of the upcoming sequel.
This island was a location used for The Force Awakens, which lead to confusion in early reports of this story, as many believed reshoots of Episode VII would happen this month.
Lucasfilm has since clarified that The Force Awakens has finished filming, and that minor reshoots were actually done when the cast had gathered in Anaheim, CA during Disney’s D23 Expo in August.
Skellig Michael is the site of a Christian monastery used between the 6th and 8th century. It was abandoned in the late 12th century, and since, conservation efforts have kept the Island intact.
As this island was used during the filming of Episode VII, fans have speculated it doubles as Luke Skywalker’s hideout (think Dagobah), where he has remained in exile since the events of Return of the Jedi.
While a strong theory, I personally think the island’s architecture lends itself well to an ancient Sith temple, perhaps where the force will, as the film’s title suggests, awaken.
Either way, we won’t have to wait too long to find out. Patience everyone, patience.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18.
