‘Star Wars: Episode 8’ Teaser Released, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern Cast In The Upcoming Film

Lucasfilm and Disney released a Star Wars: Episode 8 teaser for fans this morning, and rumors are already swirling about a number of casting decisions regarding how the actors might fit into the Star Wars universe.

We are thrilled to announce that #StarWars: #EpisodeVIII has begun principal photography at Pinewood Studios! https://t.co/4Lu9A6x1rt

— Star Wars | #TheMandalorian is Now Streaming (@starwars) February 15, 2016

CNN reported that Disney has officially announced filming of Episode 8, the highly-anticipated Star Wars film that’s due out in December of 2018. Shooting will happen at Pinewood Studios, and, as we find in the teaser video, at the Skellig Islands where they filmed Rey’s first meeting with Luke Skywalker for The Force Awakens.

“We are thrilled to announce Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern and Kelly Marie Tran will join Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill and director Rian Johnson for Star Wars: Episode VIII, which begins shooting at London’s Pinewood Studio today. May the Force be with you, always,” Disney’s post said.

After news dropped about the Star Wars: Episode 8 teaser, news of some casting developments dropped as well. News of the casting of Benicio Del Toro has been out for a while, but today, Kelly Marie Tran and Laura Dern joined the cast of Episode 8.

STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII Begins Production With Announcement Video! https://t.co/sFDEmCW5xI pic.twitter.com/UffeQio5Y0

— ComicBook NOW! (@ComicBookNOW) February 15, 2016

Cinema Blend reports that Kelly Marie Tran and Laura Dern have joined Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis, along with a slew of other characters in the Star Wars universe for Episode 8.

One of the semi-surprises is that Lupita Nyong’o is coming back as Maz Kanata. It’s nice to know that she survived the attack on her base in The Force Awakens.

As for Kelly Marie Tran, it’s quite the surprise casting. The young actress has only appeared in a few things. She’s worked with College Humor, and is much more of a comedic talent than anything. Sean O’Connell believes that she might be the comedic relief of Episode 8, which is probably just what it needs, given that it’s going to be much darker than The Force Awakens.

Daisy Ridley has a lot of experience with suddenly being thrust into the spotlight as a relatively unknown actress, and it looks like the same is going to happen for Kelly Marie Tran.

What about Laura Dern? She was announced as winning one of the roles for the next Star Wars film, but whether that’s a role siding with The Resistance or The First Order remains to be seen.

As for Benicio Del Toro, many believe he’s going to play a sith lord in the next film, which would be a nice development if it’s true. Could Benicio Del Toro be affiliated with the Knights of Ren in any way? We still have yet to be introduced to any of the members besides Kylo Ren, so it’s definitely a worthy speculation.

It’s a little less than two years until the release of Episode 8, which got moved from a Summer 2017 release date to a Winter 2017 release date. It’s just going to be a waiting game for Star Wars fans.

With this new Star Wars: Episode 8 teaser fans of the popular space opera series get to re-board the crazy carousel that is waiting for the next Star Wars film. With the new additions of Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern, and Kelly Marie Tran, it’s getting fans rightfully excited for the next installment of Star Wars.

[Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images]