Star Wars delighted fans with an official announcement confirming that the franchise has started filming the upcoming movie, Star Wars Episode VIII. The franchise made the big announcement on their website and on social media.

ICYMI: Principal photography has begun on @StarWars: #EpisodeVIII. https://t.co/MzgpVFY80Q pic.twitter.com/24tdTpZbiQ

— Disney (@Disney) February 15, 2016

Disney and Lucasfilm confirmed that principal photography for Episode VIII has officially begun at Pinewood Studios in London on February 15, 2016. Disney also revealed a full list of cast members.

Star Wars teased fans with a short clip that shows shots of a bearded Luke Skywalker meeting Rey for the first time. The preview clip seemed to connect the cliffhanger ending of The Force Awakens and the upcoming episode. Luke Skywalker is played by Mark Hamill and Rey is portrayed by young actress Daisy Ridley.

The official website of the box-office hit franchise revealed a cast list which includes: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Lupita Nyong’o, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Andy Serkis Anthony Daniels, Domhnall Gleeson, and Gwendoline Christie.

Academy Award winner Benicio del Toro is reportedly joining the film. His role remains unknown but rumors claim that he is playing a villain. New cast members include Academy Award nominee Laura Dern and newcomer Kelly Marie Tran.

“Star Wars: Episode VIII” starts filming, adds Benicio del Toro, Laura Dern to its cast https://t.co/1ePvoOow1P pic.twitter.com/CRHJKD3Ht7

— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) February 15, 2016

“Rey took her first steps into a larger world in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ and will continue her epic journey with Finn, Poe, and Luke Skywalker in the next chapter of the continuing Star Wars saga, Star Wars: Episode VIII,” the release stated.

The upcoming Star Wars Episode VIII is written and directed by Rian Johnson and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman. It is executive produced by J.J. Abrams, Tom Karnowski, and Jason McGatlin.

Star Wars: Episode VIII is slated for release on December 15, 2017. The standalone film, Rogue One, will hit theaters on December 16, 2016.

Star Wars: Rogue One is nearly finished – and Disney ‘absolutely love’ it https://t.co/97Puy0WNGE pic.twitter.com/5wKoRrC8IV

— Indy Film (@TheIndyFilm) February 11, 2016