Now that Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a bona fide box office blockbuster, fans are looking forward to the next adventures in this beloved galaxy far, far away. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is currently in post-production, set to hit theaters this December, but we reported earlier this month that Star Wars: Episode VIII was delayed, with production set to begin next month and the studio moving the release date from May 26, 2017 to December 15, 2017. Over the weekend, several of the sequel's stars teased through social media that production will begin soon

We reported earlier this month that production on Star Wars: Episode VIII was slightly delayed from January to February, so writer-director Rian Johnson could focus on reworking the script. Over the weekend, several cast members teased that production will begin soon through social media, such as Daisy Ridley, Carrie Fisher and Anthony Daniels. While it isn't known exactly when filming will begin, hopefully we'll get an official update soon, along with a full cast list.

Earlier this month, we reported that casting is under way for new male and female characters, and while no details are revealed about these characters, the casting call does reveal that Harrison Ford will return as Han Solo. This iconic character was killed by his son Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but this report claims that he will come back alongside Carrie Fisher as Leia, Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma. The report doesn't mention if Adam Driver is returning as Kylo Ren.

If this report is true, it isn't known how this iconic character could come back. Han Solo was killed by his son Kylo Ren, who stabbed him with his lightsaber causing him to fall into a massive abyss. It seems highly unlikely that he would actually survive both the lightsaber stabbing and the fall into the seemingly bottomless abyss, so it's possible that this casting report could be erroneous. After all, Harrison Ford had often talked about how he wanted his character to be killed off in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi.

Star Wars: Episode VIII will now be going up against Warner Bros.' Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg, on December 15, 2017. It wouldn't be surprising if that adaptation, which stars Olivia Cooke and Ben Mendelsohn, shifts its release date in the weeks and months ahead. Many fans were overjoyed that the Star Wars franchise was returning to its roots with a May release date for Star Wars: Episode VIII, but now we'll have to wait a few months longer before this sequel hits theaters. Take a look at the tweets and Instagram photos below, and stay tuned for more updates on Star Wars: Episode VIII.