‘Star Wars: Episode 8’ Casting News: Action Star Donnie Yen To Join Disney’s Trilogy [Report]


Star Wars: Episode 8 casting news already? The latest rumors floating around are that Hong Kong action star Donnie Yen will join Disney in the second installment of the new trilogy.

We have not even seen The Force Awakens in theaters yet, but we are hearing rumblings about the next installment, Star Wars: Episode 8. All major news sites are reporting the news, and fans couldn’t be more excited.

As we eagerly anticipate what news we may uncover about The Force Awakens at 2015 San Diego Comic-Con, and even though it was earlier announced that there will be no teaser trailer to mull over, fans have something else to get excited about.

According to Making Star Wars, the Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily has written the following.

“Donny Yen (Yen Ji Dan), martial artist, and movie star (Ip Man trilogy) has been cast in Star Wars: Episode 8.”

From the report, it seems pretty certain that it’s a final decision, but as always, we haven’t heard confirmation from the studio. However, if true, it would be an awesome addition to the Star Wars: Episode VIII cast, and he would be joining Daisy Ridley (Rey), who is one of the few cast members confirmed thus far.

Yen is rumored to be also cast for the Star Wars spin-off or Anthology, Rogue One — directed by Gareth Edwards and scheduled to hit theaters in December 16, 2016. Episode 8 will be directed by Rian Johnson.

If the report in the Apple Daily — which is described as a “tabloid” by Geek Culture — is to be believed, Donnie Yen’s character in Star Wars: Episode 8 is a Jedi who will meet Han Solo (Harrison Ford). This is an interesting bit of information, since many assumed that the original cast members were going to be done after The Force Awakens.

Now it seems at least everyone’s favorite smuggler could be coming back for Star Wars: Episode VIII. But back to Yen’s potential casting. It makes sense as Disney appears to be hiring marital arts specialists. Iko Uwais (The Raid) and Yayan Ruhian are cast in The Force Awakens.

Adding Donnie Yen to the mix would make lightsaber battles epic. What do you think about the rumor the martial arts icon is joining the Star Wars: Episode 8 cast?

[Image via Dingsheng Cultural Industry Investment]

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