Fans are beyond excited for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" and have been clamoring for any and all information they can get on the film. But the interest doesn't stop there. Fans also want to know about "Episode VIII" and we finally have a bit of news about it.
Apply Daily, a Hong Kong based newspaper, reports that martial artist and movie star Donnie Yen ("Ip Man" trilogy) has been cast in Rian Johnson's "Star Wars: Episode VIII." This report is still unconfirmed at the moment so take it with a grain of salt.
Yen is an accomplished martial artist who will bring a physical fighting presence and ability that the galaxy far, far away has never seen before. He's also one of the top earners in the lucrative Chinese film market.
If you need more convincing, check out this below collection of fight scenes. It's clear that Yen's physical abilities will open up endless avenues for Johnson to explore.
Apple Daily reports that Yen is comfortable with English speaking roles and would likely play the part of a Jedi who somehow befriend Harrison Ford's Han Solo. That would seem difficult considering some of the rumors swirling around Ford's character (spoiler alert), but it sounds as if Yen has nabbed himself a significant part as a powerful Force user. Yen reportedly beat out other accomplished Chinese actors who have made a name for themselves in the U.S. such as Jet Li.
The report adds that Yen leaves for London early next month to begin filming.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" will hit theaters on December 18th while "Episode VIII" is due out on May 26, 2017.
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