VIDEO: First footage from Star Wars Episode VIII - shot in Ireland

Here's a real treat, the first footage from Star Wars Episode VIII - and it was shot in Ireland!

It's a tease alright - giving us a look at the meeting between Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) which took place at the end of The Force Awakens. But the angle is a little different this time and we get to hear new director Rian Johnson shouting 'cut' to end a take on his biggest film to date, the next in the Star Wars saga.

The sequel will pick up right where the last left off, with scenes shot on Skellig Michael off the West coast of Ireland. This video marks the start of principal photography on the film in Pinewood studios but we know that this footage was actually grabbed a good deal earlier when the massive Star Wars production descended onto the isolated isles for a second time in September 2015. These bridging scenes with Rey and Luke were filmed to take us into the new film, and the latest word is that all further moment set at this location will be captured on a recreation built in Pinewood.

Still its amazing for that stunning place to be captured forever in one of the biggest films of all time.

The cast will be returning for Episode VIII, joined by the likes of Benecio del Toro and Laura Dern and Johnson has also written the script. He last directed the wonderful sci fi actioner Looper, so we've got high hopes for his move to the blockbuster side of things.

Star Wars Episode VIII is set for release on December 15th 2017.