Return of the Jedi: Star Wars Episode VIII goes back to Skellig Michael

Irish government announces that Rian Johnson's space-opera sequel will film on the tiny outcrop despite the objections of conservationists

Disney and Lucasfilm will return to the remote Irish island of Skellig Michael to shoot scenes for Star Wars: Episode VIII, despite the objections of conservationists concerned about the impact of local wildlife, reports RTE.
JJ Abrams's Star Wars: The Force Awakens - episode seven of the saga, due out in December - filmed scenes on the tiny unpopulated island, which is home to bird species including puffins, peregrine falcons and guillemots, last July. Now Irish arts minister Heather Humphreys has confirmed that film crews will be back for Rian Johnson's sequel, due in cinemas for May 2017.

Related: Star Wars 7: Skellig Michael filming ruffles a few feathers