Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (also known as Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi) is the eighth live-action theatrical installment in the Star Wars film franchise, produced under the Disney-Lucasfilm brand.

Unofficial reports claimed in November 2012 that Lawrence Kasdan, who originally wrote the screenplays for both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and co-writer Simon Kinberg would divide writing responsibilities for The Last Jedi and IX, and both would co-produce all three films of the upcoming sequel trilogy, alongside Kathleen Kennedy.

In February 2013, Disney revealed that Kasdan and Kinberg were working on standalone films as well.

During a concert with the Young Musician's Foundation Debut Orchestra on February 9, composer John Williams stated that he was hoping to get the chance to write the musical scores for the entire new trilogy. His involvement was made official when Star Wars Insider 144 stated he would score the "new Star Wars trilogy".

In June 2014, it was announced that Rian Johnson, director of the hit 2012 sci-fi flick Looper, will write and direct The Last Jedi and Episode IX.

It was announced in August 2014 that actress Daisy Ridley would reprise her role in both Episodes VIII and IX.

In fall 2015, Benicio del Toro was cast as a new villain in the film, joining Adam Driver and Andy Serkis, who play the trilogy's main villains Ben Solo/Kylo Ren and Supreme Leader Snoke respectively. Gugu Mbatha-Raw was additionally cast as a fourth main lead, signed on for both Episodes VIII and IX. She joins Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac who play Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron respectively.

In January 2017, the title of Episode VIII was officially revealed to be The Last Jedi.

Cast

 * Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
 * Carrie Fisher as Leia Organa
 * Adam Driver as Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
 * Daisy Ridley as Rey
 * John Boyega as Finn
 * Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron
 * Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke
 * Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata
 * Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux
 * Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma
 * Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
 * Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico
 * Laura Dern as Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo
 * Frank Oz as Yoda
 * Benicio del Toro as DJ
 * Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca
 * Greg Grunberg as Snap Wexley
 * Billie Lourd as Lt. Connix
 * Tim Rose as Admiral Ackbar
 * Jimmy Vee as R2-D2
 * Mike Quinn as Nien Nunb

Trivia

 * The film was originally scheduled to be released on May 26, 2017, but due to the success of The Force Awakens in December 2015, the release date was pushed back to December 15, 2017.
 * This is the first theatrical Star Wars sequel to be released two years after its predecessor contrast to three years like the previous trilogies.
 * This title is not to be confused with the Marvel comic from the 1980's or the Legends novel staring Jax Pavan.
 * The title's announcement launched a frenzy of online speculation in regard to the interpretations of the meaning of "last Jedi", with some noting that the term "Jedi" can be used both singularly and plurally. While foreign translations of the film's title have it be used plurally, within the movie itself the term is used singularly, to indicate that Rey is the last Jedi.
 * This is Carrie Fisher's final performance; as she died in 2016.
 * Fisher filmed all her scenes prior to her death.
 * Both Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Prince Henry of Wales have cameos as Stormtroopers.
 * As opposed to its PG-13 rating, this film marks the first time strong profanity has been used in the Star Wars saga.
 * It is the highest grossing female-led movie domestically for 2017, next to Beauty and the Beast and Wonder Woman which supplanted 1958 as the highest grossing year for female-led movies.

International Premieres

 * December 13, 2017 (Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden)
 * December 14, 2017 (Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom)
 * December 15, 2017 (Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Philippines, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Vietnam)
 * January 5, 2018 (China)