'Star Wars: Episode 8' production update: Luke Skywalker and Rey scenes to be filmed in Ireland

Some of the scenes of Luke Skywalker and Rey for “Star Wars: Episode 8” will reportedly be filmed in Ireland. Cast members Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley were not spotted on the set in Dubrovnik, Croatia, where filming of the movie took place recently.

The last scene in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was filmed at Skellig Michael in Ireland. Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Ridley (Rey) will now be returning to the country, but will be filming at a different location, Making Star Wars reports. The two actors will be filming at a large set at Ceann Sibeal in west Kerry.

People who are providing accommodation and transport have reportedly said that the production crew is building a village set that resembles the stone monastery on Skellig Michael. It is not yet clear if this is a new location in the movie or if the new set will be used to avoid going back to Skellig Michael.

Skellig Michael is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and environmentalists had raised some concerns about filming at this location. The production crew also had to endure some unpredictable weather while they were at Skelling Michael.

“Star Wars: Episode 8” is set to open from the same scene that was filmed at Skellig Michael, which is a first for the movie franchise. Principal photography at Ceann Sibeal will reportedly begin in May with Hamill and Ridley.

Large cranes have been moved to this location and the construction work at the set is set to begin soon. A temporary road has been created to make it easy for the cast and crew to move around.

“Star Wars: Episode 8” will be released on Dec. 15, 2017 in Australia. The movie is being directed by Rian Johnson. Some of the other cast members of the movie include Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma) and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren).