TODAY WE HAVE A LOOK AT A SCENE SHOT AT PINEWOOD STUDIOS BACK IN EARLY MAY. THE SEQUENCE FEATURED SOME GREEN SCREEN EXTENSION, A CGI CROWD, AND RIG REMOVAL. THE SCENE FEATURES BURNING EMBERS, SMOKE, AND BOOM AND BANG FX IN A HANGAR. WE ALSO HAVE A LOOK AT THE EXPLOSIVES FROM STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII IN THE SEQUENCE DISCUSSED HERE. THE PROP IS ESSENTIALLY A THERMAL DETONATOR OF SOME KIND BELONGING TO A GROUP CODENAMED “THE GRIZZLIES.” THE “SUGAR CUBES” AND “THE GRIZZLIES” NEEDED UP TO AN HOUR AND A HALF TO GET DRESSED AND BE ON SET. IT SEEMS THE “SUGAR CUBES” ARE LIKELY FIRST ORDER STORMTROOPERS SO THE TIME TO GET READY ISN’T THAT EXTENSIVE CONSIDERING WHAT THAT WOULD ENTAIL.

The sequence takes place in space and it appears either the First Order is boarding a Resistance Ship or a small band of Resistance fighters is boarding a First Order ship. Overshoes were required that day and in the past it was a thing needed to keep the black floors smudge-free. Another sequence I saw some footage from featured an explosion on a Resistance ship but overshoes were not required for that (for what that’s worth). Our best guess is the sequence involves Finn, Kelly Marie Tran’s character wearing a “medal,” and a resistance technician of some kind as they go up against a squad of First Order Stormtroopers on their ship.

PROPS NEEDED FOR THE SEQUENCE:

 213: INT. 100 ACRE WOOD – HANGER Grizzly weaponry, Cast 7 medallion, handcuffs, axes & mace, debris. Grizzly associated paraphernalia (clipboards, glasses, bags, headsets, grizzly bombs / grizzly belt with bombs attached.

100 Acre Wood is a codename in reference to Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, where that story takes place. The sequence featured 22 “Sugar Cubes” and five “Grizzlies.”  It appears to be a pretty action-packed sequence and 10 firemen were needed onset as a precaution.

We haven’t been able to confirm what everyone’s number associations are. The production dropped using terms like “Young Original Warrior” as they did for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and instead gave the cast numbers to make it harder to figure out. The scene involves Lamin Tamba (a stand-in for cast number 4).  You may remember that Lamin Tamba was rumored to be playing “Daika” but he denied the name to us. Karanja Yorke is the double for cast member 4. The role is apparently for a black male around 5 feet 10 inches tall. For this reason we think this could be John Boyega’s Finn who is only an inch shorter. Since he is cast member 4, an earlier number in the cast list, it makes sense as a good guess to us.

Seng Pin Lee is cast member 7’s Stand-in and Jennifer Li is the double for the same character. Based on the early cast number we also assume this to be Kelly Marie Tran’s character. (We do not assume every Asian actor in the film is Kelly Marie Tran’s character but once again, the early numerical association with the character leaves that as our best guess).

With them is cast member 18, Freddie Andrews (a stand-in) and Mark Slaughter (as cast member 18’s double). It appears either Finn or cast member 18 will wear a belt of these bombs during the sequence.

That day 10 extra costumes were also needed for the crowd.

THE PROP EXPLOSIVE:

Our best guess is the object is edited from an older prop and is probably based on the item Rey cleans in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (the novel says Rey is cleaning “a piece of salvaged electronics” on page 31). Obviously we have no idea if this prop will make it into an unfinished film but I appreciated a close look at a prop and artifact from Star Wars; Episode VIII. 

Daisy Ridley was recently interviewed by The Vulture where she talked about when we will find out who Rey’s parents are and some of the recent fan theories.

Ridley is asked if Jyn could be related to Rey:

“I mean, I think historically it wouldn’t work, because she is … Darth Vader is there … so she would ultimately be my great-grandma; no, she would be my grandma,” Ridley said. “I mean it could happen, especially in a galaxy far, far away.”

Daisy is then asked about more fan theories:

“We will see in a year,” Ridley said. “Just sit tight on that question.”

I’m really glad we don’t have to wait until Episode IX to find out about Rey’s parents. I think that would just drag it out to long. Star Wars: Episode VIII hits theaters December 15th, 2017.

For the last several months we have been hearing minor tidbits about Star Wars: Episode VIII.

One of the most interesting tidbits pertains to Finn’s first scene in the film. If you recall at the end of The Force Awakens, Finn sustains major injuries in his lightsaber battle with Kylo Ren. When we last saw him, he was receiving a friendly goodbye kiss from Rey as they parted ways.

Medical staff have now placed Finn in a bubble suit (to elaborate, we have it on good authority it is called a bacta suit), to heal his injuries. There is apparently a sequence where Finn is cut or removed from the suit and is revealed to be in better condition than ever before.

Shortly after this moment, Finn embarks on a journey that is sure to make him a “big deal” in the Resistance.

Star Wars fans will be treated to a new trailer for upcoming spinoff Rogue One: A Star Wars Story during coverage of the Rio Olympics.

The next teaser for the hotly-awaited movie, due out this Christmas starring Felicity Jones, Ben Mendelsohn and Mads Mikkelsen, will premiere on US network NBC sometime on Thursday.

Beady-eyed Twitter users spotted the announcement spot and shared it online before Lucasfilm confirmed it. 

New footage was shown to fans at the Star Wars Celebration Europe panel hosted by Gwendoline Christie last month. Darth Vader’s big comeback was revealed in the final shot but was kept for audience eyes only, prompting speculation that this will be what we all eventually see later this week. Expect your first glimpse of Darth Vader as a reflection haloed in a reddish glow, taking in a single breath, but nothing that gives away his role in the film’s narrative.

Star Wars: Disney has started mapping out new movies well past 2021

The Force will be with us... always.

Speaking at an investors conference, Disney CEO Bog Iger revealed he's met with LucasFilm head Kathleen Kennedy in order to map out the Star Wars franchise from 2021 and beyond (via Variety); with the studio having already found a writer for another spinoff pitched for 2020, which could potentially be the long-rumoured Boba Fett anthology film. 

The speech also offered some interesting insight into Disney's position on this year's Rogue One; Iger revealed the studio aren't expecting the film to do numbers as big as last year's The Force Awakens and that, essentially, the film is "an experiment, of sorts". Indeed, as the first of the planned Star Wars anthology movies - which aren't directly continuing the main Skywalker narrative - it's inevitably somewhat of a risk for the studio. 

Does she share more in common with Anakin Skywalker than Luke ?

Despite Star Wars: The Force Awakens grossing unthinkable amounts of money around the world, many fans of the sci-fi series were let down by the film, complaining the structure felt eerily similar to that of A New Hope.

One story beat that also irked fans was Rey being able to control the Force with precision so quickly, whereas it took Luke months of training with Yoda. There are a couple of explanations for this - for instance, did she learn how to control the Force as a child and Kylo Ren, by trying to read her thoughts, accidentally break a Froce barrier blocking her memory of the Force? - but the latest one could prove the most controversial.

As uncovered by Uproxx, fans have been questioning whether Rey could be the Galaxy far, far away’s ultimate villain. Theorisers have been postulating over Yoda’s words of wisdom to Luke; that the Dark side is “quicker, easier, more seductive.”

Did Rey use the Dark side to escape the First Order’s clutches because it was easily available to use unlike the light side?

With the release of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story impending, further details about more obscure characters from the film have been released.

Lucasfilm sent Making Star Wars the most recent information regarding four new characters, including information on each one's backstory.

First up is Moroff, a Gigoran who looks like a very hairy dog. According to the description, “Moroff seeks out combat zones to sell his brawn and firepower to anyone who might need it. The mighty Gigoran mercenary figures there’s money to be made for a towering heavy gunner.”

Third, another breed of Stormtrooper, Scarif Stormtrooper Commander. Already we’ve seen the Deathtroopers in promotional materials wearing black armour, while the Skarif regiment - based at the top-secret Imperial Military headquarters on Scarif - wear sandy armour to blend in with the beach terrain.

Finally, we’re introduced to the Hovertank Driver, another Stormtrooper type, this time an operative of the Empire’s arsenal of armored repulsor vehicles. The description reveals that “combat drivers are highly armoured, relying instead on the thick skin of their vehicles to protect them in the battle.”

For years, George Lucas teased fans about a Star Wars live-action TV series. Calling the project Star Wars Underworld, those involved reported that hours worth of material had been scripted, most of which was set between episodes III and IV.

However, due to budget concerns, the project was delayed until Disney bought Lucasfilm, putting an end to all work being done on Underworld. Since then Kathleen Kennedy has said work may continue on the show, but there’s nothing set in stone.

Speaking at ABC’s panel at the Television Critics Association press tour, the network’s entertainment president, Channing Dungey, was asked by journalists whether a Star Wars show was on the cards. 

“As a fan, I would absolutely love to say yes,” he said. “We have had conversations, and we will continue to have conversations with Lucasfilm. It would be wonderful to extend the franchise.”

Rumour has it that Donald Glover - best known for playing the loveable Troy in Community, having a minor part in The Martian, and being Grammy-nominated rapper Childish Gambino - is Disney’s favourite to play Lando Calrissian in the upcoming Star Wars Han Solo spin-off film.

Directed by The Lego Movie’s Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the film already has its lead in Alden Ehrenreich, yet little else is known about the film. However, Glover taking the part has been backed up by multiple sources, with the actor/rapper recently speaking to Time about the role.

“Yep. There are rumours,” he told the publication. “I mean, I grew up on [Star Wars]. My dad was a big fan. I had all the toys when I was little. I had a Darth Vader with the lightsaber he has. It was cool. It’s a dynasty. It’s like the bible. I love that franchise.”

If Glover does happen to take the role, it wouldn’t be the only mega-franchise he has signed on to for; next year, he will have a small part in Spider-Man: Homecoming in a currently unspecified role.