See First Footage from the Set of "Star Wars: Episode VIII" -- as New Cast Members Announced!

Disney released an official video to announce the start of production, which began principal photography at Pinewood Studios in London earlier today.

"Rey took her first steps into a larger world in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and will continue her epic journey with Finn, Poe and Luke Skywalker in the next chapter of the continuing Star Wars saga," a press release reveals.

The video footage shared shows Rey (Daisy Ridley) coming face to face with Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), handing him back his lightsaber ... which is exactly how "The Force Awakens" ended. The clip cuts to the title treatment for Episode VIII, before going back to the island where Luke's been hiding. We then see director Rian Johnson on set, welcoming the cast and crew to production.

"Star Wars: Episode VIII, which is written and directed by Rian Johnson and continues the storylines introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, welcomes back cast members Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis," the press release adds.

"New cast members will include Academy Award® winner Benicio Del Toro, Academy Award nominee Laura Dern, and talented newcomer Kelly Marie Tran," it continues. No word yet on who they'll be playing, but Benicio's been a rumored bad guy for some time now.

Noticeably MIA from the cast list: Harrison Ford, whose character was killed off in "The Force Awakens." It's still possible he could pop up in flashbacks. Also absent is Peter Mayhew -- but we can't imagine Chewbacca will miss out on avenging his best friend's death.