Star Wars: Episode VIII To Wrap Filming Before The Month’s Out

Rounding on to the “home stretch,” filming on Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: Episode VIII is fast approaching the finish line, after Mark Hamill revealed via Twitter that, should everything go according to plan, principal photography on the sci-fi sequel will wrap on Friday, July 22.

Urging fans to “wait for Episode VIII,” the series stalwart noted that Johnson’s anticipated follow-up will shift into post-production in little over two weeks’ time.

Details remain under lock and key, of course, and until the VFX team begin to craft some semblance of a finished product, expect Disney to uphold that level of mystery around all things Star Wars: Episode VIII. Perhaps more than anything, Hamill’s status report is a reassuring reminder that the sequel remains on track for its 2017 bow.

It wraps on Friday July 22nd 2016 #LooseLipsSinkStarships #W8ForVIII #DontBeAHomer #PatienceMyPadawans #Rogue1Sooner https://t.co/92syo6m36d

— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) July 2, 2016

Billed as the “dark second chapter” of Lucasfilm’s Star Wars overhaul, the only thing we truly know about Episode VIII is its star-studded ensemble. Comprised of a host of newcomers and familiar faces, Hamill – who may or may not be making his final appearance as the legendary Luke Skywalker – will be flanked by Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Andy Serkis, Benicio Del Toro and Laura Dern.

Before Star Wars: Episode VIII continues Disney’s rollout of spacefaring adventures, Gareth Edwards’ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is next in line to tumble off the studio’s conveyor belt on December 16, 2016. As for Rian Johnson’s maiden entry into the Star Wars saga, expect Episode VIII to land in theaters on December 15, 2017.