Via Twitter, Lucasfilm puppeteer Brian Herring has announced what many had already deemed to be common knowledge – BB-8, everyone’s favorite little droid, will be steamrolling his way into Star Wars: Episode IX.
As spotted by ComicBook.com, Herring’s tweet makes mention of the fact that BB-8 (and, by extension, Brian Herring himself) has wrapped his first day of shooting on the so-far untitled Episode IX.
Filming initially commenced last week, when writer-director J.J. Abrams took a moment to honor Carrie Fisher, who so tragically passed away in December of 2016 mid-way through The Last Jedi‘s own production. She’ll still be factored into the top-secret story of Episode IX – hell, word is her role is much bigger than we’ve been led to believe – though Abrams and co-writer Chris Terrio now face the difficult task of closing the book on Leia’s story.
Be that as it may, below you’ll find that status report from Brian Herring, all but confirming that, yes, BB-8 will be returning to the fray in time for Star Wars: Episode IX.
1st shooting day for the little guy! So excited to be ‘rolling’ once again with @jjabrams and all the gang far, far away! Here’s to a fantastic shoot. #StarWars #IX #BB8 #puppeteer pic.twitter.com/Uoy4rb6XKA
— Brian Herring: BB-eetlejuice eetlejuice! (@BrianHezza) August 7, 2018
You didn’t think Poe’s little spherical droid would just sit on the sidelines as the First Order closes in on the Resistance, now, did you? BB-8 was last seen on board the Millennium Falcon, though his final destination (and that of his crewmates) is a total mystery at this point.
The cameras, they are a-rolling on the UK set of Star Wars: Episode IX, and while story details remain locked away in the Lucasfilm vaults, ardent fans can take solace in the fact that both Luke Skywalker and Carrie Fisher (and BB-8, too!) will be appearing in the 2019 threequel – otherwise known as the final chapter in the studio’s prized Skywalker Saga.