SO, STAR WARS Episode VIII has started filming on Skellig Michael off the coast of Kerry this week.
Even though Star Wars Episode VII isn’t due to be released in Ireland until December 18th, director Rian Johnson and Mark Hamill are already getting to work on the next one.
There has been a bit of a buzz down in Kerry all week
But the first day of filming on Skellig Michael was cancelled because of rough seas and high winds
This was the scene:
On Tuesday of this week, the first day of filming on the island had to be postponed until Wednesday. Thanks, Ireland.
Given Skellig is a heritage site, Star Wars have a rake of restrictions on how they can film there
It’s all down to the nocturnal birds that live on the island.
There is a limit on the time of day the filming can take place and it will be restricted to “during the day or at dusk”.
There were stories that Mark Hamill injured himself whilst filming here
But they were completely false
In fact, Luke Skywalker himself has been seen up and about pulling pints in the town of Portmagee last night
He’s having a grand time of it
No injury there, at all.
You can even see a video of Luke Skywalker pulling the pint here, on the Kerry’s Eye Facebook page - and it’s glorious.
Mark’s son Nathan is with him, and has been Instagramming the adventure
So, how long will the Star Wars crew be here?
Well, there is talk that the shoot – for the opening scene of Episode VIII - will only stay on Skellig Michael for a few days. But as MovieBit.com has reported, there is word that the crew might be filming in other parts of Co Kerry as well, and that they could be here for up to six weeks.
And finally, it looks like Mark Hamill is having a good time of it
When asked was he enjoying his time in Ireland, he said:
Stay as long as you want, Luke.
