Going into the launch of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, all signs pointed to Disney and Lucasfilm striking while the iron is piping hot and unveiling some form of teaser for Star Wars: Episode VIII, Rian Johnson’s untitled sequel set to continue the core saga late next year.
After all, the Mouse House employed a similar tactic for The Force Awakens – “there has been an awakening, have you felt it?” – stoking excitement a full year in advance with a concise teaser trailer. But if Daisy Ridley is to be believed, we won’t be laying eyes on the first official Episode VIII footage for at least another few months, after the actress hinted to Empire that Disney will keep things under lock and key until Star Wars Celebration in April.
When asked if fans can expect any form of teaser to be attached to Rogue One later this week, Ridley replied: “No. I could probably ask, but Rogue One is out in like a week, so I guess we’ll let that come out, be amazing, let people respond to that first. One step at a time!”
[zergpaid]A red herring, perhaps? Unlikely. With Rogue One already doing the rounds with critics (our review), you’d have to imagine that if a teaser trailer for Episode VIII did already exist, it would’ve already found its way online. Ridley’s co-star Adam Driver is of the mindset that the 2017 sequel doesn’t necessarily need a trailer – if there’s one movie franchise that’s big enough to dictate its own marketing, it’s Star Wars – but take that one with a pinch of salt.
In closing, Daisy Ridley pointed to April’s Star Wars Celebration as a potential window for the big reveal: “I know there’s Celebration next year. Hopefully something will be shown there? That’s speculation, by the way…”
Star Wars: Episode VIII is still in search of an official title, let alone a teaser trailer, but we’ll be bringing you all the latest info on Johnson’s episodic sequel as time wears on. December 15, 2017 is the date for your diaries.