Back in February, production got rolling on Disney and LucasFilm's highly-anticipated Star Wars: Episode VIII, which has been set for release on December 15, 2017. A few weeks ago, director Rian Johnson shared new photos from the set, revealing that production has crossed the halfway point, with filming taking place at Pinewood Studios in the U.K. Today we have word that the production has shifted to an outside location, with new photos surfacing of stars Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Daisy Ridley (Rey) and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren) arriving in Malin Head, Ireland.
BBC reports that, while several cast members have arrived in Ireland, an iconic space ship may have surfaced in the country as well. New photos show a massive structure that is covered with tarps, which many have speculated is the Millennium Falcon. This unknown structure is seen on the edge of a cliff, reportedly a mile from Banba's Crown, an area which is well known as a great spot to get pictures of the Northern Lights.
This report also reveals that the Republic of Ireland's Aviation Authority has enlisted a strict "no-fly zones" around the set. The security in Donegal County is also very tight, with only one country road that leads to and from the set. It isn't known how long production will take place in Malin Head, but this report reveals that after this shoot, production will shift to the south of Ireland, close to the Skellig Michael Island set, where the final scene of Star Wars: The Force Awakens was shot, depicting Luke Skywalker's secret Jedi temple.
The production has also been constructing Jedi Temple sets on a mountain headland dubbed Ceann Sibeal in Kerry County, where shooting is expected to take place later this month. Of course, we don't know exactly what will be shot in Ireland, but there have been plenty of rumors that have surfaced thus far. There has been speculation that the story follows Rey starting her Jedi training with Luke Skywalker, but that hasn't been confirmed yet. There have also been rumors that Kylo Ren will capture Poe Dameron and Finn to try and set a trap to draw Rey out of hiding.
Rian Johnson is directing Star Wars 8 from his own script, with Disney and LucasFilm setting a December 15, 2017 release date. Disney and LucasFilm still haven't revealed an official synopsis or any story details quite yet, but we'll be sure to keep you posted as soon as more details are released. Until then, check out the new photos from the Ireland set of Star Wars: Episode VIII, arriving in theaters December 15, 2017.