Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Episode VIII)

About Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Episode VIII)

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Episode VIII), directed by Rian Johnson, was released in 2017 and is the eighth episode in the Star Wars saga. The plot resumes with the Resistance attempting to flee from the First Order who have them cornered. Rey joins up with Luke Skywalker to learn the ways of the Jedi and discover her own past, while Kylo Ren, former Jedi and current dark side follower, stands in opposition.

Making / Production

‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ was produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Rian Johnson served not only as the director but also the writer of this Star Wars installment. The movie was shot at a variety of locations including the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Actors

• Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker - Hamill reprised his iconic role with a more grizzled and disillusioned appearance reflecting Skywalker's self-imposed exile.
• Daisy Ridley as Rey - Ridley played the key protagonist, Rey, who is pursuing the path of the Jedi under the mentorship of Skywalker.
• Adam Driver as Kylo Ren - Driver played the conflicted villain Kylo Ren, struggling with his allegiance to the dark side and his bond with Rey.
• Carrie Fisher as Leia Organa - Fisher gave her final performance as Princess Leia, portraying the Jedi force-sensitive Resistance leader.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This was the final film appearance of Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa), who died in 2016. Her scenes were completed before her death.
• This is the longest Star Wars movie to date.
• Director Rian Johnson had the cast of the film sign onto the project without having read the script.

Awards

The film received four nominations at the 90th Academy Awards, in the categories of Best Original Score, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing. It also earned two nominations at the 71st British Academy Film Awards.

Quotes

• “I've seen this raw strength only once before. It didn't scare me enough then. It does now.” - Luke Skywalker
• “We are the spark, that will light the fire that'll burn the First Order down.” - Poe Dameron

Music, Soundtrack

• The soundtrack was composed by John Williams, renowned for his work on all nine of the Skywalker saga films.
• The score seamlessly blends new themes with the nostalgic, well-loved melodies of the original and prequel trilogies.
• The soundtrack was released by Walt Disney Records on December 15, 2017.