STAR WARS: Episode 8 Teaser Is Here With New Footage! Cast Announced!

Disney and StarWars.com have officially announced the start of production on Episode 8 not just with an article - but with a teaser trailer and full cast list! And yes, we actually get to SEE Luke Skywalker right off the bat! Behold:

Mark Hamill is obviously returning as Luke, and looking even more majestic here than he did at the end of Force Awakens. Joining Hamill in his return are Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis.

SW.com also reports the arrival of "new cast members - Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro, Academy Award nominee Laura Dern, and talented newcomer Kelly Marie Tran."

Del Toro is heavily rumored to play our new villain for Ep. 8!

And yes - that is the very same Laura Dern of Jurassic Park fame! Kelly Marie Tran is a brand new face in Hollywood, so we look forward to seeing what she brings to the Star Wars universe.

The official title for Episode VIII has yet to be announced, but the film began principal photography at Pinewood Studios in London on February 15, 2016, and is written/directed by 'LOOPER' helmer Rian Johnson - a fantastically talented sci-fi alum and the perfect man to take over the reigns from J.J. Abrams.

Disney and Lucasfilm also confirm that Episode VIII will continue the saga of Daisy Ridley's REY, so we can finally expect some closure for our new favorite heroine.

Will she be revealed as a Skywalker? And how will this love triangle work out? We can't wait to see more from these three, alongside Luke and Leia!

Mark your calendars and very souls - STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII hits theaters December 15th, 2017!