A new featurette takes a look at the locations of The Last Jedi, and it’s chock full of behind-the-scenes footage of filming in Croatia and Ireland, plus a few tiny new clips.
Today in VIII: Daisy Ridley on where the film starts
On the Oscars red carpet last night, Daisy Ridley told MTV News that Episode VIII does indeed pick up where The Force Awakens left off, and about working with Mark Hamill.
(This may not be exactly VIII related, but since we’re here: Fashion bloggers Tom & Lorenzo and the Fug Girls on Ridley’s dress.)
→ A curious dome-shaped building has been spotted at Pinewood. It’s similar to those found at the monastery at Skellig Michael.
→ The Dubrovnik street set now lights up, and not for nothing – it looks like they’ll be doing some night filming.
→ It seems the film may also be scouting for caves in Mexico.
Behind the scenes of The Force Awakens at Skellig Micheal
Variety has a story looking at how Ireland is getting a boost from film, but we all know the most important thing is a new behind the scenes picture from The Force Awakens featuring Mark Hamill on Skellig Micheal.
Bonus: I’m pretty sure this puts that whole ‘gravestone’ speculation to bed.
Episode VIII begins production; Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, Kelly Marie Tran join cast
StarWars.com has the official announcement that Episode VIII has begun production at Pinewood this morning. It adds officially adds three new actors: Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, and newcomer Kelly Marie Tran. (Entertainment Weekly takes a look at Tran’s previous work.)
Returning from The Force Awakens are Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis.
Video footage shows director Rian Johnson, Hamill and Ridley filming on Skellig Micheal in September, and a hint as to where VIII picks up…
…Or is it? Note that only one shot – Ridley holding out the saber – is actually a close duplicate to what we saw in The Force Awakens. While they may be keeping things less restrictive this time, let’s not put too much faith in what they’re willing to show us.
Meanwhile, as the day winds down…
Filming on Skellig Michael brought back memories for Mark Hamill
In today’s Empire tidbit, Mark Hamill doesn’t give us any hints to the film itself (Because Mark Hamill can keep a damn secret,) but he does share an interest parallel:
“It reminded me of when I was in Tunisia on the salt flats [shooting the first Star Wars]. If you could get into your own mind and shut out the crew and look at the horizon, you really felt like you were in a galaxy far, far away. I had that same wave of emotion happen to me when I was on Skellig Michael in Ireland. I wasn’t anticipating it.”
Star Wars filming did no harm to Skellig Michael
Three days of filming for Episode VIII in September “no adverse impact” on Skellig Michael, say experts, despite “two small incidents.” The Irish Times has the details.
Mark Hamill spotted at Irish pub
Mark Hamill spotted at Irish pub… Sans beard.
Mark Hamill denies report that he nearly died on Skellig Michael
Mark Hamill tweeted today that “didn’t so much as stub a toe” on the island, directly contradicting the report that he slipped there during filming for The Force Awakens last year.
Cast and crew for Episode VIII are in the area now – including, presumably, Hamill. His son Nathan has been posting photos from Ireland.
No Episode VIII filming on Skelllig Michael today
Filming for Episode VIII that was scheduled to begin on the Irish island of Skelllig Michael has been canceled for the day, the Irish Times reports. High winds and bad weather are making the seas too rough to ferry crew out to the island.
Some crew – including director Rian Johnson – and equipment has already been sighted in the area this weekend.
Report: Mark Hamill narrowly avoided a dangerous fall on Skellig Michael last year
Mark Hamill narrowly avoided a dangerous fall during The Force Awakens filming on Skellig Michael last year, the Times (via the Daily Mail) reports. He was caught by a guide from from the Irish Office of Public Works.
Star Wars crew are returning to the island to film scenes for Episode VIII within the month. (Or even sooner!)