Episode IX has officially started filming and the early shoots all seem to be based in the UK.
Pinewood studios has been the long time home for the Star Wars franchise and this time is no different.
Early leaks suggested that the RAF Cardington Sheds were being used, with tantalising hints of scenes between Finn, Poe, Rose and the Hutts (Jabba’s son, no less).
Now an eagle-eyed fan has posted photographs taken at Black Park which show one very familiar Star Wars icon and suggest how the movie may end.
MakingStarWars.Net published the images which were taken at Black Park.
The six hudred-acre woodland next to Pinewood is densely forested and looks rather like a very famous moon featured at the end of Return of The Jedi.
Are the Ewoks and Endor seriously making a return? It’s not just what is shown in these new photos that suggests this.
JJ Abrams has been very clear about wanting to incorporate as many themes and references to the original and prequel trilogies and his Force Awakens was undeniably a retread of A New Hope.
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The pictures show the unmistakable side of the Millennium Facon peeking through the trees. MakingStarWars.Net adds: “It confirms the ‘jungle/forest’ sets we’ve heard rumors about at Pinewood Studios.”
Reports of concept art have also highlighted a lush and green planet with a castle beside a lake. This sounds rather similar to Maz Kanata’s old base, but that was destroyed and the popular character is expected to return this time in space, in what is being described as a ‘pirate spacehip’.
Many reactions have immediately suggested it could be Endor. However, Episode IX is already reported to be introducing the most new characters and planets ever in a Star Wars movie, so it is more likely this is a new location.
Episode IX is expected to time jump forward a few years, so is this the location of the new Resistance base?
The sight of the Falcon haphazardly among the trees does not suggest an organised landing place.
If Abrams really does echo Episode VI as much as he did Episode IV, it could be the location of a new First Order weapon the rebels need to destroy. Surely that would be too obvious, though?
And does anyone really want to see the Ewoks again?