Movies

Episode 8 Bits: The Full Star Wars Celebration Live Stream Schedule, A Banner Year For Pinewood Studios, And Tons Of Pictures From The 'Episode 8' Wrap Party

star wars episode 8 set pictures
By Jacob Hall

In this edition of Episode 8 Bits:

  • Star Wars: Episode 8 helped Pinewood Studios achieve a banner year.
  • The complete Star Wars Celebration live stream schedule is here.
  • Preview some of the exclusive Star Wars Celebration merchandise.
  • Take a look at tons of photos from the Episode 8 wrap party.

    • The legendary Pinewood Studios has hosted countless gigantic film productions over the years, but the last twelve months have been a banner year for the company. The Hollywood Reporter reports that Star Wars: Episode 8 and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (and other major films like Spectre) have led to record profits for the Pinewood Group:

    For the 12 months ended March 31, the company recorded operating profit of £13.6 million ($17.6 million) compared with £5.8 million for the previous year. Normalized profit after tax and earnings per share also rose.

    Revenue at Europe's largest provider of stage and studio space rose 11 percent, from £75.0 million for the previous fiscal year to £83.2 million, or $107.8 million.

    Pinewood is currently in the process of building another five sound stages, an expansion that will make an already popular destination for Hollywood productions all the more lucrative.

    star wars celebrationStar Wars Celebration kicks off in London tomorrow (our own Peter Sciretta will be on site to provide firsthand reporting), but don't fret if you won't be there – many of the major events and panels will be live streamed. StarWars.com has posted the complete schedule events that will be streamed, so take a look below and try to carve out some time. I certainly imagine that tomorrow's Rogue One trailer will involve a new trailer...Friday, July 15

    11:00 a.m. BST / 6:00 a.m. EDT / 3:00 a.m. PDT

    Star Wars Show Live! – Friday Preview

    11:30 a.m. BST / 6:00 a.m. EDT / 3:00 a.m. PDT

    An Hour With Mark Hamill

    1:00 p.m. BST / 8:00 a.m. EDT / 5:00 a.m. PDT

    Ahsoka's Untold Tales

    2:00 p.m. BST / 9:00 a.m. EDT / 6:00 a.m. PDT

    ILM Presents: Star Wars Archeology

    3:45 p.m. BST / 10:45 a.m. EDT / 7:45 a.m. PDT

    Star Wars Show Live! – Rogue One Panel Preview

    4:00 p.m. BST / 11:00 a.m. EDT / 8:00 a.m. PDT

    Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

    5:00 p.m. BST / 12:00 p.m. EDT / 9:00 a.m. PDT

    Star Wars Show Live! – Rogue One ReactionSaturday, July 16

    10:00 a.m. BST / 5:00 a.m. EDT / 2:00 a.m. PDT

    Star Wars Show Live! – Saturday Preview

    10:15 a.m. BST / 5:15 a.m. EDT / 2:15 a.m. PDT

    Droids of The Force Awakens

    12:00 p.m. BST / 7:00 a.m. EDT / 4:00 a.m. PDT

    The Creatures, Droids & Aliens of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

    1:00 p.m. BST / 8:00 a.m. EDT / 5:00 a.m. PDT

    Keeping Up With The Fetts

    2:00 p.m. BST / 9:00 a.m. EDT / 6:00 a.m. PDT

    Anthony Daniels, Without Protocol

    4:00 p.m. BST / 11:00 a.m. EDT / 8:00 a.m. PDT

    Star Wars Rebels Season 3

    5:00 p.m. BST / 12:00 a.m. EDT / 9:00 a.m. PDT

    Marvel's Star Wars Comic Books

    6:00 p.m. BST / 1:00 p.m. EDT / 10:00 a.m. PDT

    MEET ILMxLAB: The Future of Immersive Entertainment

    7:00 p.m. BST / 2:00 p.m. EDT / 11:00 a.m. PDT

    The Minds Behind EA's Star Wars GamesSunday, July 17

    10:00 a.m. BST / 5:00 a.m. EDT / 2:00 a.m. PDT

    Star Wars Show Live! – Sunday Preview, Tiya Sircar

    10:15 a.m. BST / 5:15 a.m. EDT / 2:15 a.m. PDT

    2016 Star Wars Fan Film Awards Ceremony

    11:00 a.m. BST / 6:00 a.m. EDT / 3:00 a.m. PDT

    Carrie Fisher: The Princess Diaries

    12:00 p.m. BST / 7:00 a.m. EDT / 4:00 a.m. PDT

    Lucasfilm: The Art of Storytelling

    1:00 p.m. BST / 8:00 a.m. EDT / 5:00 a.m. PDT

    Ray Park Unleashed

    4:00 p.m. BST / 11:00 a.m. EDT / 8:00 a.m. PDT

    Closing Ceremony

    If you are attending, the event's official site has shared all of the exclusive merchandise that will be available at the Celebration store, so feel free to start pre-shopping right over here. There's a little bit of everything, but let's just say you won't be wanting for t-shirt options.

    The Force Awakens Ending

    A few weeks ago, Mark Hamill said that Star Wars: Episode 8 was going to wrap on July 22, 2016. While filming may continue in some capacity (and there will most likely be reshoots down the road because the production can afford that luxury), it seems that the production has already begun wrapping for much of the cast and crew. Daisy Ridley took to Instagram to announce that she was officially wrapped on the movie and if the main character of these new movies is finished, then you know things are really nearing an end. Most importantly, she revealed this news while sharing a terrific image of herself illuminated by her blue prop lightsaber.

    And that is a wrap on Star Wars Episode VIII. My heart is brimming. #reyout

    A photo posted by @daisyridley on

    Hamill himself also used Instagram to let everyone know that he was wrapped on Episode 8 and he did so in the most complimentary fashion imaginable: by calling the production "the time of his life." Aww. He also shared an image from the film's wrap party, which apparently happened when no one was looking. I've attended  a wrap party or two for small, independent films in the past and they usually consist of tired people standing in circles drinking beers and eating finger foods. This is the kind of wrap party Disney money gets you.

    Saying goodbye is hard when you've had the time of your life. I can't thank the cast and crew enough, I couldn't have done it without you. Loads of love, mh #StarWars #EpVIII #WrapParty ????: @chelseahamill A photo posted by Mark Hamill (@hamillhimself) on

    Anyway, the big story in this edition of Episode 8 Bits is this wrap party, so I certainly hope you enjoy photos of handsome, famous, and talented people having a grand 'ol time at the National History Museum in London. Although he wrapped earlier than Hamill and Ridley, John Boyega also took to social media before the wrap party to share his thoughts and thank his fans and count his blessings and so on.

    At home buzz before the wrap party! Another chapter done. Although this is the second time it still feels surreal being involved in such a life changing project. As I go onto other movies I take with me great memories! #Oneisfeelingonesself P.S. To everyone that has supported me since attack the block I thank you for encouraging me! This new life is tricky to take in but it's always nice to have people route for you. LOVE!??

    A photo posted by BOYEGA (@jboyega_) on

    Now, let's turn our attention to actual shindig, which actually featured a spotlight shining a giant panda face on the museum's exterior. This is a reference to the film's fake working title, "Space Bear," and this is the hilariously gaudy punchline to whole thing. With Star Wars Celebration kicking off tomorrow, we expect to learn Episode 8's actual title soon, so enjoy the panda while it lasts!

    A photo posted by Rian Johnson (@riancjohnson) on

    And yes, the "Space Bear" shenanigans continued inside the party, too.

    A photo posted by Rian Johnson (@riancjohnson) on

    A quick Instagram search will return a ton of images from the wrap party, but this one delivers a good look at just how huge and fancy the whole thing was. If you say you don't want to celebrate working on a Star Wars movie in the shadow of a T-Rex skeleton, I'm not sure I want to know you.

    #StarWars #EpisodeVIII #WrapParty #London #NationalHistoryMuseum A photo posted by Víctor López (@bittorhache) on

    And it wouldn't be a Star Wars-related event unless Mark Hamill was happily posing for photographs with everyone who asked.

    #episodeviii #wrapparty #NationalHistoryMuseum

    A photo posted by Javi (@javiercoronilla) on

    And there were a whole bunch of Mark Hamill selfies being taken that night. A few of them even contain his trademark finger-point.

    Elsewhere at the party, Oscar Isaac proved that he is one of the few men alive today of pulling off that hat.

    * Another pic of Oscar at the wrap party for Episode VIII #repost "@bittorhache: #StarWars #EpisodeVIII #WrapParty #OscarIsaac #partyinghard #London #whothefuckisObi-Wan" A photo posted by Oscar Isaac Fan Account (@oscarisaac.ig) on

    And Daisy Ridley and John Boyega continued the BFF routine they began during the production and promotion of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

    John & Daisy at the wrap party for Star Wars episode 8 ????~Abbie — {#johnboyega #daisyridley #episodeVIII #starwars }

    A photo posted by Abbie (@nothing_but_a_nerd) on

    And that brings us to perhaps the most important part of this party: the chorus line of dancing Stormtroopers.

    A so cute video, Look Daisy's dance ?????????????? #Repost @reylofinn with @repostapp ??? Storm Troopers dance at Episode VIII wrap party. Daisy Ridley dances in background. #episodeviiiiscoming #episodeviii #episode8 #daisyridley #wrapparty #rey #stormtrooper @daisyridley A video posted by Daisy Ridley Hungary (@daisyridleyhungary) on

    However, it was the Lucasfilm story group's Pablo Hidalgo who shared an image of the most important guest at the entire party: Carrie Fisher's dog, Gary.

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