With the immense success ofStar Wars: The Force Awakensand the new spin-off,Rogue One: A Star Warsstory, the franchise is more popular than ever. MostStar Warsfans would do practically anything for a chance to be in aStar Warsmovie, and it seems that directorRian Johnsonmade some dreams come true over the weekend. For one group of lucky fans in Austin, Texas, all they had to do is show up at the Alamo Drafthouse, and literally make some noise for the filmmaker, although they weren’t exactly aware of this surprise until after the fact.
Every year at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas, Ain’t It Cool News founderHarry Knowlesholds the annual “Butt-Numb-a-Thon,” a 24-hour movie marathon which features a number of classic films, along with advanced screenings of upcoming movies. The event always attracts a number of filmmakers and celebrities alike, one of which isStar Wars 8directorRian Johnson. Austin 360 reports thatRian Johnsontook to the stage during the event this month and recorded the crowd cheering, booing and hissing, before dropping a big bombshell for the crowd.
“Next year you’ll all be in aStar Wars movie.”
Unfortunately, the director didn’t add any insight into what scene these crowd noises will be used for, but that isn’t terribly surprising, since practically nothing has been confirmed about the plot. We do know that the story will pick up directly after the end ofStar Wars: The Force Awakens, where Rey (Daisy Ridley) met Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and gave him back his old lightsaber. There have been plenty of rumors about the story, with some claiming that Rey will start her Jedi training with Luke Skywalker, only to be lured into a trap, when she learns that Kylo Ren has captured her friends Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac).
We may be getting our first official plot details soon, though, with a recent report claiming that the firstStar Wars 8 trailerwill be released sometime in the Spring of 2017. LucasFilm presidentKathleen Kennedystated that she wanted to give fans some “breathing room” afterRogue One: A Star Wars Storyhit theaters, before she showcased the first footage fromStar Wars 8. While some have theorized that the footage may debut in theaters attached to prints of Disney’sBeauty and the Beast, which debuts on March 17, it is believed that the trailer will debut atStar WarsCelebration, which will take place April 15-17 in Orlando, Florida.
Star Wars: Episode VIIIwill bring backStar Wars: The Force AwakensstarsDaisy Ridley(Rey),John Boyega(Finn),Adam Driver(Kylo Ren),Domhnall Gleeson(General Hux),Oscar Isaac(Poe Dameron),Carrie Fisher(Leia Oragana),Gwendoline Christie(Captain Phasma),Andy Serkis(Supreme Leader Snoke),Lupita Nyong’O(Maz Kanata) andMark Hamill(Luke Skywalker). New cast members includeBenicio Del ToroandLaura Dern, although details about their characters have yet to be confirmed.Rian Johnsonis directing from his own screenplay, withKathleen KennedyandRam Bergmanproducing, andJ.J. Abrams,Jason McGatlinandTom Kamrowskiexecutive producing.
