“Stars Wars: Episode VIII” is officially in production. Disney has released a 30-second teaser clip to celebrate the start of the highly anticipated sequel’s shooting. The mouse house also announced Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern and newcomer Kelly Marie Tran are joining the cast.

Minor spoiler for ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ ahead. Proceed with caution.

The clip starts with the last scene from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” in which Rey (Daisy Ridley) finally located Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) on a distant planet, giving him with his lightsabre. New director Rian Johnson then cuts the scene, signalling the first day of production on the eighth instalment of the multibillion film franchise.

It began its principal photography at Pinewood Studios in London on Monday.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ theories: Rey as Luke or Han Solo’s daughter, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s grandchild and Anakin Skywalker’s reincarnation

It’s the first teaser from the film, which will hit the big screen on Dec. 15, 2017. It’s not the only news Disney has for fans; the studio also confirmed a few names joining the cast line-up, including Del Toro, who has been rumoured to be cast as a villain.

“Star Wars: Episode VIII,” which is written and directed by Rian Johnson and continues the storylines introduced in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ welcomes back cast members Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie and Andy Serkis,” it announced. “New cast members will include Academy Award winner Benicio del Toro, Academy Award nominee Laura Dern and talented newcomer Kelly Marie Tran.”

Meanwhile, Boyega has been named Rising Star at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) on Sunday. He beat “Fifty Shades of Grey” star Dakota Johnson, “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” actress Bel Powley, “Room” star Brie Larson and “Kingsman: The Secret Service” actor Taron Egerton for the accolade.

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