Yesterday, we got another taste of Gareth Edwards’ “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” at Star Wars Celebration in the U.K. Fans were treated with some pretty excellent behind-the-scenes footage of the movie, revealing some impressive sets, practical effects and what looks to be a whole new world. We also got a first look at the new poster, plus an accidental spoiler from Asian actor Wen Jiang that we won’t mention here.
Today, the focus in on Rian Johnson’s follow-up to “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” simply titled so far “Star Wars: Episode VIII.” Even though the film doesn’t come out until December 2017, Lucasfilm trotted out director Rian Johnson and producer Kathleen Kennedy, who revealed some interesting tidbits.
What they did show? Only a few photos of the film, behind-the-scenes footage and scenes from the movie. But there was lots to talk about, and some surprise guests too.
At the panel, which wasn’t streamed live but was detailed on the “Star Wars” Live Blog, Johnson said he brought the cast together to screen films like “Three Outlaw Samurai,” “Letter Never Sent,” “Gunga Din,” and “12 O’Clock High,“ as inspiration, so it’ll be interesting to see how that’s applied to the fabric of the Star Wars universe.
Meanwhile, Johnson noted, “For the first time, this movie is going to start where the last one left off,” he said. They went back to Skellig Michael, “a very mystical, magical place…It was appropriately surreal.” So, one wonders if a “Star Wars” crawl is needed…
The director also revealed a lot of photos he had taken, many of them with green screen in the background, but he assured the crowd, “But I want to let everyone know that the amount of sets we’ve built is absolutely ridiculous.”
There was an emphasis on not giving too much away, but there were some interesting hints at what’s to come. John Boyega hit the stage later in the panel, and when talk came up about the fate of Finn, who we last saw unconscious in ‘The Force Awakens,’ the filmmakers naturally played coy. But Johnson did say at one time, they batted around around the idea of cutting back and forth to Finn in a coma. Hmm….
Also stopping by were directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who will be tackling the Han Solo spinoff movie, along with their star, Alden Ehrenreich. Last fall, rumors swirled about the actors being considered for the part, but the filmmakers made it clear the actor was their number one choice. “We turned over every rock to find someone who has the charisma and magic swagger,” Lord said.
Miller added, “But it was a waste of money because the person to get the part was literally the first person to walk through the door.”
READ MORE: 5 Films That Helped Alden Ehrenreich Win The Han Solo ‘Star Wars’ Role
Elsewhere at Star Wars Celebration, chatter about the future of the franchise swirled, with one little nugget of information given away.
**Spoilers ahead**
During The Princess Diaries panel, Carrie Fisher revealed that Han Solo’s funeral would appear in ‘Episode VIII’ (via The Telegraph).
**Spoilers end**
That was really it for the panel, Star Wars Celebration. But don’t worry, there’s lots more to come. “I’m really looking forward to the next year and a half…I think we’re going to have a really good time together,” Johnson said.
Below, photos, tweets and trailers for the films that inspired ‘Episode VIII.’
Some behind the scenes shots on #EpisodeVIII #SWCE pic.twitter.com/zTrTFAF03w
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 17, 2016
Rian Johnson et son producteur Ram Bergman font un cameo (Death Star gunners) dans #starwars #RogueOne #SWCE pic.twitter.com/6RcRcznmmv
— Patrice Girod (@GIRODPATRICE) July 17, 2016
2/2 Rian Johnson et son producteur Ram Bergman font un cameo (Death Star gunners) dans #starwars #RogueOne #SWCE pic.twitter.com/tpm4PIZ9kj
— Patrice Girod (@GIRODPATRICE) July 17, 2016
Johnson’s assistant Leo is under the helmet. #SWCE pic.twitter.com/ScN9HlPzdu
— That Junkman (@ThatJunkman) July 17, 2016
@rianjohnson had his assistant in this #TieFighter armor for Epi8 #StarWars #SWCEPics #SWCE pic.twitter.com/OAKWyHUsVT
— Brenda Rushforth (@q22q17) July 17, 2016
https://twitter.com/FunctionalNerd/status/754688501153669120
Celebration goes wild as Alden Ehrenreich walks out on stage as the new #HanSolo #SWCE pic.twitter.com/eYZ6crVQVO
— Sidney Smeets (@SmeetsLaw) July 17, 2016
Behind the scenes shot of background cast in Ep 8 #SWCE pic.twitter.com/FfVFYEmr9M
— ScreenCrush (@screencrushnews) July 17, 2016
"The amount of sets we built for this movie has been outrageous." -RJ on this photo from Ep 8 #SWCE pic.twitter.com/29ttIhMveL
— ScreenCrush (@screencrushnews) July 17, 2016
"The amount of sets we built for this movie has been outrageous." -RJ on this photo from Ep 8 #SWCE pic.twitter.com/29ttIhMveL
— ScreenCrush (@screencrushnews) July 17, 2016
FINN HAS ARRIVED #SWCE pic.twitter.com/utURL5MF9w
— ScreenCrush (@screencrushnews) July 17, 2016
Kathleen Kennedy says Rian Johnson was "way at the top of the list right away" to direct Episode 8. #SWCE pic.twitter.com/jY1hTfLmzK
— ScreenCrush (@screencrushnews) July 17, 2016
The #StarWars family at #SWCE #StarWars #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/kZ9q9xIntH
— Paul Tamburro (@PaulTamburro) July 17, 2016
Se terminó. Panel completo de future movies de #StarWarsCelebration … pero no revelaron el nombre de Episodio VIII pic.twitter.com/l1SQ43EEt2
— Alejo Zagalsky (@azagalsky) July 17, 2016
We recognise these people from somewhere… #StarWarsCelebration pic.twitter.com/pY2cDwJM9I
— Digital Spy Film (@digitalspyfilm) July 17, 2016
Maybe instead of referring to Wen Jiang as “asian actor”, how about just “actor” Wen Jiang? Who cares if he’s Asian? Does that really need to pointed out?
You have a good point, but I assume that the intent was to imply that his English is not great.
maybe some people don’t want their heritage erased and everything isn’t about making you boring white nerds feel comfortable?
You seem offended by something that, to me, could be clearly construed as a person seeing humanity as one entity, rather than getting hung up over where people were born, or whether they’re brown, pink, tan, blue, green, or covered in fur.
“it don’t matter whether your brown pink blue” etc – clueless white guy
wow thanks for the very useful insight, white dude trying to lecture everyone on “how it really is” lmao
Do you have a mental disorder I need to know of? So being racist is not okay (obviously), but to mention that you’re NOT racist also not okay?
Also, calling me a “clueless white guy” whilst ranting about racism, makes you the biggest hypocrite ever… as it works both ways. How does my color factor into any of this? Did I tell you you’re stupid for being born in a different color variation? I think not, sir!
Now, back on topic! You’re telling me that I am not allowed to voice my fucking opinion on racism? You seem to be against racism (as long as it only works one way, but let’s assume you hate racism regardless of skin variation), so let me try to explain my opinion to you in a way I would explain it to a child:
“Humans come in different color variations, sexual orientations, political views, and religions. And, kid, the truth is that any people, on any side, of ANY of those color variations, sexual orientations, political views, and religions…. just hate each other for no good reason, other than “It different, my stoopid. That dumb” like any good caveman would.
And, kid, the world is truly, utterly fucked up. So whatever you do in this world… don’t get hung up on what people look like, or do with their lives, or what makes them happy. Because that way, humanity will never rise above the slightly organized bunch of neanderthals they are. And they have so much potential, if it wasn’t for the incessant raging against each other, blowing each other up, and shooting each other for being a different skin variation, loving another gender than they do, or for not believing in the same deity.”
So, what I’m trying to say is… don’t presume “white people” are automatically your enemy, simply because you WANT every white person to be a racist.
Asshole.
That guy is a terrible cast….this han solo film needs to be shut down. Ridiculous move.
Sounds like a PA didn’t do his job and forgot to take the cocaine from Fisher that day and oops.
Sounds just terrible. Star wars is ruined. Like ghostbusters its for girls and gays now.
Yup. More concerned about filling quota’s, cliches and stereotypes, rather than focusing on good story telling. As long as the Kennedy’s and Pascals of the world are attached to these classics, they’ll forever be agenda driven. And whoever had the bright idea to ever think that someone could replace Ford as Han Solo, no matter what the timeline is? Needs to be booted. What a joke!
I guess when everything was white dudes it was “normal” and any deviation for the status quo that pampers your ass is “filling quotas”. Weird how convenient that works out for you
Truthfully, talk back sections should just be discarded on internet film forums so that no one has to listen to anyone this stupid and ignorant and can just enjoy the film information.
F$ck you.
Generation snowflake loser.
Generation sociopath scumbag
Just because you answered means you are what I said. Dumbass.
What are you 12? “I know you are but what am I” lmao
Idiot.
The “Three Outlaw Samurai” reference actually gives away a lot.
Especially if they’re adhering to the narrative.
Yes it does. I’m glad someone else picked up on how easy to spot where that would go. I *hope* they stick to the narrative.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Chris Hemsworth is Rey’s father too… JJ can sort it out! He’s screwed around with ST & SW so much anything can happen! It’s a good day for THOR! Now all we need is Maury!
12 O’Clock High? Where Major Stovall is riding his bicycle or the CO is relived of duty at the beginning or end of the movie?