Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern join the cast of 'Star Wars: Episode VIII'

Oscar winner Benicio Del Toro and nominee Laura Dern are the newest cast members to join Star Wars: Episode VIII as confirmed by Disney on Monday.

According to Variety, Del Toro is the baddie in the next movie of the franchise directed by Rian Johnson who also wrote the screenplay for Star Wars: The Force Awakens with JJ Abrams.

Specifics of the role played by Laura Dern have not been made public yet. Newcomer Kelly Marie Tran too has been cast in an unspecified role.

Principal photography on Star Wars: Episode VIII began on Monday at Pinewood Studios in London. The film hits theatres on December 15, 2017.

Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam DriverDaisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie and Andy Serkis will reprise their roles for the latest movie in the franchise.

Watch the crew begin shooting for Star Wars: Episode VIII