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‘Star Wars Episode VIII’ Picks Up Where ‘The Force Awakens’ Left Off While Luke Skywalker Has A Bigger Part To Play

By Jinger Jarrett
Published on: 09:43 PST, Mar 1, 2016

With Star Wars Episode VIII finally filming, information about the next installment in the Star Wars franchise is finally starting to emerge. The Force Awakens tied all the trilogies together by bringing back some much beloved characters, like Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, and Han Solo, while introducing some new characters like Finn, Rey, and Kylo Ren.

Cinema Blend reported that at least one character from the original trilogy will return, and that will be Luke Skywalker, portrayed by the original actor in the part, Mark Hamill. During most of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Luke Skywalker is missing. There has been much speculation as to when Luke Skywalker disappeared, with some saying it was only for a few years while others claimed he disappeared shortly after the Battle of Endor that took place towards the end of Return of the Jedi.

Bustle said that the rumored title for Star Wars Episode VIII may give some clues to its story line. A mysterious photo appeared on Reddit that was later taken down that revealed the possible title might be Star Wars: Tale of the Jedi Temple. Although the title to the new movie hasn’t been officially confirmed, filming has begun, and the release date set for the new movie is December 15, 2017.

The next installment is a continuation of Rey’s quest. In a red carpet interview for MTV, actress Daisy Ridley, who stars as Rey, confirmed that the next installment picks up where Star Wars: The Force Awakens left off.

“Me and Mark [Hamill] have been rehearsing a lot, and it’s really amazing. When we went back to Skellig to do the opening of VIII, it was so crazy doing the same scene with a different crew of people. He’s amazing to rehearse with, and I’m very excited to be doing the rest of the stuff.”

As previously reported in Inquisitr, one of the biggest rumors about Star Wars Episode VIII is that there may be a return of Hayden Christensen. Christensen portrayed the adult Anakin Skywalker and then Darth Vader in the first trilogy. Fan reaction has been mixed since some didn’t like his portrayal of the two characters, and it’s unclear as to what capacity he may return in as Darth Vader died at the end of Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi, the sixth installment.

In an already released Lucasfilm Episode VIII production announcement, this isn’t the first time that there has been a mention of a Jedi temple, or of Luke Skywalker and Rey on a far off island where Rey begins her training as a Jedi. If the title of the latest Star Wars installment does turn out to be Tale of the Jedi Temple, fans may get a chance to learn more of the history of the Jedi, as well as the origin of the first Jedi temple.

No other details of the plot have been released, and with the new film not appearing until the end of 2017, there will be a lot of speculation as to what the latest installment will be about. There have been no previous announcements about what parts Finn and Captain Phasma will play in Star Wars Episode VIII although it has been revealed that both will receive larger parts. Fans will have to wait until the release of the trailers for the next installment, and no word has been given on when the next trailers will be released.

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Hayden Christensen Daisy Ridley
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