Kathleen Kennedy Confirms These Star Wars: The Force Awakens Characters Will Return in Episode VIII

We're almost a week away from the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, yet there are still a lot of details hidden in the veil of secrecy, but it looks like we already know which actors are going to return in Episode VIII.

Disney/Lucasfilm held the press days for what Spielberg is saying could be the biggest movie ever,Star Wars: The Force Awakens this weekend.

In an unusual move, the press in attendance weren't allowed to see the movie prior to conducting interviews, so we're still not entirely sure where the new Star Wars trilogy's story will go for these characters. However, one big hint was dropped at this afternoon's press conference.

Warning: possible spoilers ahead

Fans who have been watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens marketing campaign unfold have assumed that the new "big three" characters Daisy Ridley (Rey) John Boyega (Finn) and Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) will continue the saga forward where Carrie Fisher (General Leia), Harrison (Han Solo), and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) leave off.

But it hasn't been confirmed that all three newcomers will make it out of The Force Awakens alive. However, Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy made it seem as if at least Finn would. When asked how far ahead they've planned, Kennedy said that some key story elements were already written, while others are left to the other filmmakers. She added: "these guys (patting Boyega on the back) are about to begin production on Episode 8" with "Looper" director Rian Johnson directing it.

Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma) were the actors beside Boyega. So, it seems as if at least Boyega, and possibly all three, will make a return in the next Star Wars Saga film.

The LA Times also reported some info about Kennedy's comments on Christie's villainous character:

"Kennedy has big plans for Phasma and confirmed that the captain will carry on into the next movie. "She's an important character, a baddie in the best sense of the word."

Slashfilm also pointed out an interesting quote from J.J. Abrams regarding Christie's performance in The Force Awakens:

"I can only say that Gwendoline Christie is my favorite. She just killed it. You think, "Well, what? It's wearing a costume." But it's a lot to wear and to have a performance when you're wearing that requires a different kind of skill set and an additional talent, and she's got it. It's an incredible thing to work with her. I am glad that a character has been designed that is visually as stunning as that is, because she deserves it and the fans do too. When I first saw that design my mind was blown because it looked so undeniable."

Christie looks great as Captain Phasma. As much as I'm excited to see the original cast return, I can't wait to see how the newcomers will make an impact to the saga's story. I was already a big fan of Christie's performance as Brienne of Tarth in Game of Thrones, so it would be intersting to see how she'll portray another badass character. You can watch her recent interview here.

So who do you think will return in Star Wars: Episode VIII?

Star Wars: The Force Awakens will hit theaters on Dec. 18 while Episode VIII is set to release on May 26, 2017.

Via Hitfix