Disney CEO Bob Iger has announced that Lucasfilm and director Rian Johnson have officially commenced principal photography on the sequel to 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'.
- Feb 11, 2016
AceShowbiz - The upcoming "Star Wars Episode VIII" has officially begun production. Disney CEO Bob Iger announced on Wednesday, February 10 that Lucasfilm and director Rian Johnson officially commenced principal photography on the sequel to "Star Wars: The Force Awakens".
"Star Wars Episode VIII" filming was set to begin in January, but principal photography was pushed back a few weeks around the same time the movie's release was shifted from May 2017 to December of the same year.
Bob provided updates on "Star Wars" universe during an The Walt Disney Co.'s quarterly earnings call, touting the gargantuan financial success of the "The Force Awakens". "There is no better way to propel this franchise into the future than producing quality products," he shared. "Filming of 'Star Wars: Episode VIII', the next chapter of the legendary saga, has just commenced and it will be in theaters December 2017."
According to the Disney CEO, the production on "Star Wars: Episode IX" is underway too. "And production of Episode IX, a 2019 release, has also begun," he revealed.
Of the upcoming "Star Wars" spin-off "Rogue One", Bob said, "Filming of Rogue One is virtually completed and we absolutely love what we've seen so far. This is the first of a set of planned stand-alone stories and we're already in preproduction on our next one, for release in May of 2018."
John Boyega took to Twitter to mark the beginning of "Episode VIII" production, writing, "Time to bring out my Han Solo figure for everyone on set to sign. Sigh** can't help it."
