Star Wars Episode VIII isn’t in theaters until Christmas 2017 but that didn’t stop Walt Disney Pictures (which bought the rights to Star Wars from George Lucas for $4 billion) from releasing a nonsensical ‘announcement’ trailer on President’s Day 2016, Monday 15 February.
In addition, it was announced that there would be new cast members in Star Wars Episode VIII, including Benicio Del Toro and Laura Dern.
J.J. Abrams does not direct, nor did he writer Star Wars Episode VIII. It is written and directed by Rian Johnson, whose most notable film to date is Looper.
Somehow, Harrison Ford returns as Han Solo, as he is listed prominently on the IMDB page for Star Wars Episode VIII.
In addition, Daisy Ridley returns as Rey, along with Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, Carrie Fisher as Leia, John Boyega as Finn, Anthony Daniels as C-3P0, Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke, Jimmy Vee as R2-D2 and Mark Hamill in a much larger role than he had in Star Wars The Force Awakens.
Star Wars The Force Awakens opened in theaters on December 18, 2015 and took in just under $1 billion at the U.S. movie box office and another $1 billion, internationally.
