<P> Star Wars: The Last Jedi (also known as Star Wars: Episode VIII--The Last Jedi) is an upcoming American epic space opera film written and directed by Rian Johnson . It is the second film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, following Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). The film is produced by Lucasfilm and will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures . It stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis in returning roles . New cast members include Benicio del Toro, Laura Dern, and Kelly Marie Tran . Fisher died in December 2016, making The Last Jedi her final film role . </P> <P> The film was announced after Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in October 2012 . It is produced by Ram Bergman and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy . John Williams, composer for the previous seven films, returns to compose the score . Scenes that required shooting at Skellig Michael in Ireland were filmed during pre-production in September 2015, with principal photography beginning at Pinewood Studios in England in February 2016 and ending in July 2016 . The Last Jedi is scheduled for release on December 15, 2017 . </P> <P> A sequel, tentatively titled Star Wars: Episode IX, is scheduled for December 20, 2019 . </P> <Ul> <Li> Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, a powerful Jedi Master who has been in self - imposed exile on the planet Ahch - To, and the son of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala . </Li> <Li> Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa, twin sister to Luke, former princess of Alderaan, and a leading general in the Resistance . The Last Jedi was the final film that Fisher worked on; she died on December 27, 2016 . Fisher had completed her work on the film before her death . </Li> <Li> Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Supreme Leader Snoke's loyal servant who is strong with the dark side of the Force and leader to the Knights of Ren . He was born Ben Solo, the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, nephew of Luke Skywalker, and the grandson of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala . </Li> <Li> Daisy Ridley as Rey, a highly Force - sensitive scavenger from the desert planet Jakku who joined the Resistance and goes to find Luke Skywalker . </Li> <Li> John Boyega as Finn, a former stormtrooper of the First Order who defected to the Resistance . </Li> <Li> Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, an X-wing fighter pilot in the Resistance . </Li> <Li> Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata, a pirate and longtime friend of Han Solo and Chewbacca . </Li> <Li> Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, the former head of the First Order's Starkiller Base . </Li> <Li> Anthony Daniels as C - 3PO, a humanoid protocol droid in the service of Leia Organa . </Li> <Li> Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, the commander of the First Order's stormtroopers . </Li> <Li> Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke, the mysterious leader of the First Order and Kylo Ren's master . </Li> <Li> Benicio del Toro as an unnamed character, referred to by writer and director Rian Johnson as "DJ". </Li> <Li> Laura Dern as Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo, an officer in the Resistance . </Li> <Li> Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, a member of the Resistance who works in maintenance . </Li> </Ul>

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