Star Wars: Episode VIII has begun filming and here's the first teaser video

Felt a great disturbance in the Force?

Possibly the result of that dodgy curry from the weekend - or a reaction to the news that principal photography has begun on Star Wars: Episode VIII.

Directed and written by Rian Johnson (Looper, Brick), the yet-to-be-titled film has begun production at Pinewood Studios in London, reuniting cast members (big breath) Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, and Andy Serkis.

Episode VIII will also introduce some new faces to the expanding saga, with Benicio Del Toro, Laura Dern and newcomer Kelly Marie Tran set to appear in unknown roles in the new film.

In the interest of ensuring that Disney's new trilogy maintains some stylistic continuity, JJ Abrams will be lurking in the background like a fallen emperor - or "executive producer", as they're insisting on calling him.

Scheduled for release on 15 December 2017 (the late slot worked wonders for them first time round), Disney has set the hype-ball rolling early with the following "announcement" video. 

Good lord we're excited.