No more visits to Kerry for Star Wars as film crew build Skellig replica at Pinewood studio

Sad news for Irish Star Wars fans who were expecting to see Luke Skywalker back in Kerry this year for filming of Episode VIII, as new information suggests that we may have seen the last of the Jedi Knight on our shores for now. 

During the summer, Ireland welcomed the cast and crew of one of the biggest movies to ever be shot here as JJ Abrams and Mark Hamill arrived on the west coast to films scenes from 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'.

Some filming of the much anticipated movie took place on Skellig Michael and anyone who has seen the movie will agree, it was one of the visual highlights of the movie.

The crew returned to the Skelligs in September to film what was thought at the time to be pick ups to 'The Force Awakens' but it is now believed to be initial scenes for Episode VIII.

Luke Skywalker (Hamill) even had time to pop into a bar in Portmagee and spend a few hours with locals and learning to pull a few pints.

Over the last few months rumours were flooding in that Disney and Lucasfilm would be returning to the Skelligs to film more scenes for the sequel directed by Rian Johnson.

According to makingstarwars.net however, Star Wars 'may not be returning' to Ireland this year stating that 'environmental reasons' have made it too complicated to film on the island.

“The Skellig Michael sets have been built and in some cases recreated at Pinewood.

“The location of the set at Pinewood is the same place they filmed the Jakku village scenes for The Force Awakens.

“Filming at Skellig Michael was just too complicated for environmental reasons.

"Migrating birds have more power than any corporation over that isle.”

This news is however just rumour and has not been confirmed by Disney or Lucasfilm just yet, watch this space.