Star Wars’ John Boyega reveals they’ll start shooting Episode IX in July after delay
The finale of the sequel trilogy was due to focus on General Leia Organa but Carrie Fisher's untimely death in 2016 forced a change in direction
JOHN Boyega has confirmed that Star Wars: Episode IX will begin filming this summer.
It comes after the film was delayed due to the tragic passing of Carrie Fisher, who portrayed General Leia Organa in the space fantasy.
Star Wars: Episode IX will see J.J. Abrams return to the directing chair after launching the trilogy with 2015's The Force Awakens.
John was appearing on The One Show to promote latest project, Pacific Rim: Uprising when hosts Angelica Bell and Matt Allwright quizzed John on Star Wars secrets.
He revealed: "I don't know a thing, but I know I start filming in July. They're prepping and planning.
"JJ has a script, but I just haven't read it yet."
John - who plays Stormtrooper-turned-resistance hero Finn - also opened up about the intense security around the top secret scripts.
He explained: "You have to go to a room where the script is... I can't lie, sometimes you get to bring it back home."
Initial scripts for the as-yet-untitled ninth instalment were reported to heavily focus on Carrie Fisher's iconic role of Leia Organa but her tragic passing in 2016 forced a change in direction.
Last year, a quoted producer Kathleen Kennedy as saying: "She was having a blast... The minute she finished, she grabbed me and said, 'I'd better be at the forefront of IX!'
Because Harrison [Ford] was front and centre on VII, and Mark is front and centre on VIII. She thought IX would be her movie. And it would have been."
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Producers have ruled out using CGI technology or another actress to bring back Princess Leia in future instalments, after a CGI cameo in Rogue One received mixed reviews from loyal fans.
"We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher’s performance as Princess or General Leia Organa", LucasFilm said in a statement.
Star Wars: Episode IX is scheduled for release in December, 2019.
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