Everyone involved in "Star Wars: Episode VIII" would like to keep the sequel a secret until it makes the big screen so a major movie like such goes by a codename, which is apparently too cute for actress Carrie Fisher to keep to herself.
On Twitter, she posted a photo of her pooch Gary sitting in a production chair that had the mock logo "Space Bear: Episode VIII," aka the movie's temporary title. In Hollywood, it has become a common practice to cloak a major film in a faux name until the official title is revealed.
This habit is most established in the space opera franchise. "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" went by the production name Foodles, which successfully concealed the blockbuster movie from fans. Before "Return of the Jedi" was called the way it was, Lucasfilm referred to it as "Blue Harvest."
Other directors and studios have resorted to this trick so as the films come as a bigger surprise to fans. "Star Wars: Episode VIII" isn't any different.
In the world of "Star Wars," there's a lot riding on the subtitle alone. "Space Bear: Episode 8" certainly has nothing to do with the "Star Wars: Episode VIII" plot but if anything, Fisher's reveal make for a good "Star Wars" fun fact.
With the production for the highly anticipated film in embryonic stage, director and writer Rian Johnson could not afford leaking any major "Star Wars: Episode VIII" spoilers so having the film go by a codename is the way to go.
To avoid any plot details leaking out, there are reports that there will be 600 guards scattered on the film's set in Croatia to avoid snoopers. A special drone team will also be set up to make sure drones from fans, which were used to sneak photos in "The Force Awakens," don't fly around the set.
The film has just started principal photography, a fact announced by Disney in a flashy new video below. Majority of the cast members are set to return for the sequel.
"Star Wars: Episode VIII" hits the theaters on Dec. 15, 2017. Joining cast members Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Fisher and Mark Hamill are Benicio del Toro, Laura Dern and Kelly Marie Tran.
