'Star Wars Episode 8' Release Date Delayed for This Reason?

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After the huge success of "Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens", fans are clamoring for the next film in the franchise.

However, according to Cinemablend, it might be a while before fans get a glimpse of the sequel.

In addition to re-writes by director Rian Johnson, The Independent reports that there is a pending strike involving the British film lighting technicians.

The lighting technicians union Bectu has complained that their workers have not received a pay increase in over four years and are demanding that new terms be discussed.

The union and the employer's body Pact will convene to see if new terms can be reached before any filming schedules are affected.

If no settlement can be reached, Bectu has threatened that it will stop all work done by any member of the union. If this happens, production for "Star Wars Episode 8", as well as production for eight other films, will come to a halt.

Digital Spy reports that talks were underway as early as last week to try and avoid the strike. However, these talks broke down after Becta rejected the offer of a two percent pay increase.

Gerry Morrissey, general secretary for Becta, claims that lighting is an essential part of a movie, and that without proper lighting, there can be no good shots, and without any good shots, there's no movie.

Morrissey is also stating that Becta is asking for a 20 percent pay increase for all members of the Becta Union to cover the four years that there were no pay increases.

The studios have counter offered with a 5 to 8.5 percent increase depending on the level of expertise and responsibilities of the technician.

With a pending strike and the already scheduled push back to Christmas 2017, "Star Wars Episode 8" could be pushed back as far as 2018.

In addition to "Star Wars Episode 8", the films that would be potentially affected by the strike are "Wonder Woman" solo film, "The Foreigner" starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan and "The Mummy" reboot starring Tom Cruise.

Morrissey states that any technicians who are currently under contract with a major film have been given one week's notice to terminate their contracts.

The current rate for a lighting technician for a British film is GB£350 for 10 hours of work.

The Becta union has already sent the studio's offer to their members, and the union will vote electronically to either accept or reject the offer.