Star Wars is known for insane secrecy, but we have to hand it to the cast and crew currently at work on Episode IX. We know next to nothing about the film, which is being touted as the “last movie in the Skywalker saga.” (Until the inevitable second sequel trilogy in a decade or so.)
There have been no major plot revelations or leaks, no title announcements, no official photos. We know actors like Keri Russell, Richard E. Grant, Dominic Monaghan, and Matt Smith joined the cast, but we have no idea who they’re playing. We know Carrie Fisher will be back as Leia thanks to previously unused footage shot for The Force Awakens. So far, the closest thing we’ve gotten to an official first look at the film is this behind-the-scenes (and very blurry) photo director J.J. Abrams posted to his Twitter, which shows John Boyega’s Finn in the Millennium Falcon cockpit with what looks like Chewbacca and Poe – if you squint real hard.
Bittersweet starting this next chapter without Carrie, but thanks to an extraordinary cast and crew, we are ready to go. Grateful for @rianjohnson and special thanks to George Lucas for creating this incredible world and beginning a story of which we are lucky to be a part. #IX pic.twitter.com/FOfnGwVut5
— JJ Abrams (@jjabrams) August 1, 2018
One thing we do know — the film is very close to being done. Earlier this week, Anthony Daniels revealed that he had wrapped, marking the end of an era for an actor who has appeared in every single Star Wars movie to date, and as Threepio in every episodic film. And now, another big Star Wars star has wrapped filming: BB-8!
Beep Beep!
Puppeteer Brian Herring took to Twitter Friday to reveal that production has wrapped on our favorite little ball droid. The character first made a major impression at Star Wars Celebration Anaheim ahead of The Force Awakens, impressing fans with his unique design and technology. The spunky droid was an instantly beloved character once that film came out, carrying that same charm into The Last Jedi. We have to imagine Abrams has big plans to wrap the character he helped create in this final episode.
Today was a wrap on BB-8. The last 5 years have been an amazing ride. Thanks to @jjabrams, Kathleen, Neal, #teamBB8 especially Dave and the entire cast & crew for the time of my life. Few people get to live the dream. Thank you. #StarWars #IX #puppeteer #BB8 #StarWarsEpisodeIX pic.twitter.com/Oxa8n1oHu2
— Brian Herring (@BrianHezza) February 1, 2019
As sad as it is to think about BB-8 being done, there’s no way his story ends here. He’ll live on in cartoons and books, and will probably turn up in future live action films as well. Who knows, maybe a BB-8 TV series will even make its way onto Disney+ eventually. We can only hope.
So long for now, BB-8, and thanks for all the beeps.
Images: Disney/Lucasfilm