'Star Wars 8' Release Date, Cast, News & Update: Sequel Announces New Cast Including Benicio del Toro, Laura Dern & More

"Star Wars: Episode VIII" is officially in the works! Disney and Lucasfilm announced the news on Monday with a new video posted on YouTube. The film picks up right where "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" left off and features new faces "Traffic" Oscar winner Benicio Del Toro and "Jurassic Park" star Laura Dern.

 Benicio Del Toro & Laura Dern join the cast of Star Wars: Episode VIII. - #igcomicfamily #comics #photooftheday #instagood #igers #instagramhub #instahub #geek #nerd #heroes #super #cool #instamood #tflers #instacomics #like4like #iphonesia #likeforlike #sayhellobadguys #beniciodeltoro #lauradern #starwars #starwarsepisodeviii #scifi

A photo posted by Bad Guys (@sayhellobadguys) on Feb 16, 2016 at 12:03am PST

Del Toro has already confirmed his role as someone leaning towards the dark side - let's not forget he was rumored to play the part of a villain.Unfortunately, Dern's role still remains unknown.

However, Entertainment Weekly's Anthony Breznican notes the possibility of Dern's character. An excerpt reads: "If 'Episode VIII' delves into the question of Rey's family, she seems to be a likely option to play her mother."

The movie had just begun filming in Pinewood Studios in London on February 15. However, reports disagree, since it technically started in September, when the whole crew returned to the "Irish seaside location of Skellig Michael" to shoot a few scenes used in the video below.

As per the movie's website, majority of "The Force Awakens" cast will make a return to the upcoming sequel, including Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and Lupita Nyong'o.

Furthermore, the New York Times reports that Kelly Marie Tran, which Disney described as a "talented newcomer," will also be joining "Episode VIII."

The UCLA graduate has made appearances in several CollegeHumor shorts, as well as some small roles in TV shows such as "Jimmy Kimmel Live," "About A Boy," and "Comedy Bang! Bang!"

"Star Wars: Episode VIII" will be written and directed by Rian Johnson, of "Looper" and "Brick" fame. The film is produced by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy and Johnson's longtime partner, Ram Bergman.

J.J. Abrams will return to serve as executive producer of the film, alongside Jason McGatlin and Tom Karnowski.

The film is slated for release on December 15, 2017.