'Episode VIII' Dubrovnik and Ceann Sibéal Filming Tidbits

By: Dominic Jones

By now you've probably seen some pictures of the set of Star Wars Episode VIII in Dubrovnik, Croatia.  Filming is expected to begin there very soon, and it looks like work is already beginning on getting the next filming location ready.  Reports are emerging that set construction is beginning Ireland for scenes in the County Kerry/Ceann Sibéal area.  New details are emerging about what we can expect to see in both of those filming locations.  The information is pretty vague, and it's far from a major spoiler, but if you are trying to avoid all information about Episode VIII then stop reading now.  This is your (minor) Spoiler Alert.

First, the BBC's Lizo Mzimba is reporting that Daisy Ridley will not be filming any scenes in Dubrovnik.  This contradicts a previous rumor which stated Ridley and her co-star Mark Hamill would both be there for scenes.  However, Mzimba's info comes directly from Ridley herself so it's safe to say we won't be seeing Rey in those scenes

Couple of @StarWars VIII tidbits. Interviewed Daisy Ridley briefly in LA. She says she's not part of cast filming in Dubrovnik soon.

— lizo mzimba (@lizo_mzimba) March 4, 2016

Moving on to Ireland, The Movie Bit came across what is believed to be the Episode VIII filming proposal on the Department of Arts, Heritage, and Gaeltacht website.  The proposal reveals that there will be three filming locations in Ceann Sibéal, one for a "walk and talk" between two characters, another for a lookout scene with a character, and one for a village which is believed to be the main filming location.

It had previously been reported that Ceann Sibéal would be used as a "double" for Skellig Michael (where the final scene between Rey and Luke in The Force Awakens was shot) due to difficulties filming there.  This breakdown suggests a lot more is being done there than initially thought. 

For a look a the construction that's being done, check out this news report from RTE News,

The Force returns – preparations are under way for the return of 'Star Wars' to Kerryhttps://t.co/btZQm93xi2

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 3, 2016

Sources: Lizo Mzimba (Twitter), The Movie Bit, RTE News (Twitter)

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