'Star Wars: Episode 8' Release Date & Plot: John Boyega Confirms Sequel Begins Filming Soon -- What We Know So Far

By Stacey Leigh Gonzalez | Dec 28, 2015 | 06:20 AM EST

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is still showing in cinemas but as early as now, celebrities are dishing out updates on Episode VIII.

According to Flickering Myth, John Boyega has revealed that filming for 'Star Wars: Episode VIII' has already started in Europe.

"I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone for coming out and supporting this movie," Boyega told reporters. "The movie is yours now and I really hope you enjoyed it and we are so happy to be starting on Episode VIII in a few weeks in London and it is going to be fun."

A few days back, Variety conducted an interview with actress Daisy Ridley, asking her of her experience on shooting Episode VII and what she thinks of Episode VIII.

"It's very good; very good. Let's see "VII" first and then we'll talk about "VIII." [Laughs.]

The new movie is expected to have Rian Johnson take the helm as director. Screen Rant says prior to directing Star Wars, Johnson's experience on film and TV include directing 'Looper' and 'Breaking Bad.'

The second movie in the new trilogy is expected to be darker than Episode VII. This is similar to Empire after releasing A New Hope.

The source believes that Johnson's experience on in sci-fi dramas makes him a suitable fit for handling the next Star Wars movie.

A news report by Movie Web reveals that Johnson has already started filming on Ireland's Skellig Michael Island, the same location featured in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

Although some filming has begun, sources indicate the important aspects of the film will not be shot until spring of next year. There are no reports yet in terms of the plot or how the story will unfold although there is a lot of room for revealing the family background of the major protagonists or where the antagonists have gone to escape.

Reports indicate that the new movie will be released in cinemas on May 26, 2017. Before the release of Episode 8, Movie Web says a spinoff of the film "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" is set to hit theaters on Dec. 16, 2016.

The second spinoff "Star Wars Anthology: Han Solo Movie" will arrive on May 25, 2018. Episode IX is set to premiere in 2019 while a third spinoff will premiere a year after that.

Are you excited to watch the next episode in the Star Wars trilogy?

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