Not to be confused with the 2005 young-adult book series Star Wars: The Last of the Jedi , or the 2013 novel
Star Wars: Coruscant Nights – The Last Jedi .
"Episode VIII" redirects here. For other similarly-known episodes, see Episode 8 .
Star Wars: The Last Jedi (also known as Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi ) is a 2017 American epic
space opera film written and directed by Rian Johnson . It is the second installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy and the eighth main installment of the Star Wars franchise, following Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). It was produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures . The film's
ensemble cast includes Mark Hamill , Carrie Fisher ,
Adam Driver , Daisy Ridley , John Boyega , Oscar Isaac ,
Andy Serkis , Lupita Nyong'o , Domhnall Gleeson , Anthony Daniels and Gwendoline Christie in returning roles, with
Kelly Marie Tran , Laura Dern and Benicio del Toro joining the cast. It features the first posthumous film performance by Fisher, who died in December 2016, and the film is dedicated to her memory. The plot follows
Rey as she receives Jedi training from Luke Skywalker , in hopes of turning the tide for the Resistance in the fight against Kylo Ren and the First Order , while General Leia Organa , Finn , and Poe Dameron attempt to escape a First Order attack on the dwindling Resistance fleet.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Theatrical release poster Directed by
Rian Johnson Produced by
Kathleen Kennedy
Ram Bergman Written by
Rian Johnson Based on
Characters
by George Lucas Starring
Mark Hamill
Carrie Fisher
Adam Driver
Daisy Ridley
John Boyega
Oscar Isaac
Andy Serkis
Lupita Nyong'o
Domhnall Gleeson
Anthony Daniels
Gwendoline Christie
Kelly Marie Tran
Laura Dern
Frank Oz
Benicio del Toro Music by
John Williams Cinematography
Steve Yedlin Edited by
Bob Ducsay Production
company
Lucasfilm Ltd. Distributed by
Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures Release date
December 9, 2017 ( Shrine Auditorium )
December 15, 2017 (United States) Running time
152 minutes [1] Country
United States Language
English Budget
$200–250
million [2][3]
[4] Box office
$1.333
billion [5]
The Last Jedi is part of a new trilogy of films announced after Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in October 2012. It was produced by Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and Ram Bergman , with Force Awakens director J. J. Abrams as an executive producer. John Williams, composer for the previous films, returned to compose the score. A number of scenes were filmed at
Skellig Michael in Ireland during pre-production in September 2015, but principal photography began at
Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom in February 2016, and ended in July 2016. Post-production wrapped in September 2017.
The Last Jedi had its world premiere in Los Angeles on December 9, 2017, and was released in the United States on December 15, 2017. It grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 2017 , the seventh-highest-ever grossing film in North America and the ninth-highest-grossing film of all time during its theatrical run. It is also the second-highest-grossing film of the Star Wars franchise, and turned a net profit of over $417 million. It received positive reviews from critics, who praised its ensemble cast, visual effects, musical score, action sequences and emotional weight.
[6][7][8][9] The film received four nominations at the
90th Academy Awards, including Best Original Score and
Best Visual Effects , as well two nominations at the 71st British Academy Film Awards. A sequel, provisionally titled Star Wars: Episode IX , is scheduled for release on December 20, 2019. [10]
Plot
Shortly after the battle of Starkiller Base, General Leia Organa leads Resistance forces to flee D'Qar when a
First Order fleet arrives. Poe Dameron leads a costly counterattack that destroys a First Order dreadnought, but after the Resistance escapes to hyperspace , the First Order tracks them and attacks the Resistance convoy.
Kylo Ren, Leia's son, hesitates to fire on the lead Resistance ship after sensing his mother's presence, but his TIE fighter wingmen destroy the bridge, killing most of their leadership and incapacitating Leia, who survives by using the Force. Disapproving of new leader Vice Admiral Holdo 's passive strategy, Poe helps Finn , BB-8 , and mechanic Rose Tico embark on a secret mission to disable the First Order's tracking device.
Meanwhile, Rey arrives on Ahch-To with Chewbacca and
R2-D2 aboard the Millennium Falcon to recruit Luke Skywalker to the Resistance. Disillusioned by his failure to train Kylo as a Jedi , and under self-imposed exile from the Force , Luke refuses to help – even after he learns of Han Solo 's death at Kylo's hands – and believes the Jedi should go extinct. Unbeknownst to Luke, Rey and Kylo communicate through the Force, puzzling the two enemies. As Rey and Kylo learn about each other, both have visions of themselves as future partners.
R2-D2 persuades Luke to train Rey. After Kylo tells Rey what happened between him and Luke that caused him to choose the dark side, Luke confesses that he momentarily contemplated killing Kylo upon sens
