'Star Wars: Episode 8' news, spoilers: Director begins editing film; John Williams to begin working on score

With filming for the upcoming "Star Wars: Episode VIII" having wrapped in July, director Rian Johnson recently announced that he has begun editing the film's theatrical cut.

Earlier this week, Johnson posted an Instagram photo of himself in the editing bay. The photo was captioned "Day one!" and showed Johnson sitting in front of various monitors with the words "Picture Start" displayed on the screens.

Johnson's Instagram followers have showered the director with comments wishing him good luck and expressing their excitement at seeing the finished product. Bob Ducsay, who edited "Godzilla" (2014), "San Andreas" (2015), and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows" (2016), is the lead editor for "Episode VIII."

Johnson, a first-time "Star Wars" director, took over from J.J. Abrams, who helmed last year's massive hit "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens." Prior to being tapped to direct "Episode VIII," Johnson worked on the films "Looper" (2012), "The Brothers Bloom" (2008), and three episodes of AMC's popular "Breaking Bad."

With principal photography done and editing underway, it was recently confirmed that the film's score would also soon be in the works.

According to Masslive, John Williams, the legendary composer of the previous seven "Star Wars" "Episodes" films, recently announced that he will begin working on the "Episode VIII" score in a matter of weeks.

Williams made the announcement over the weekend at a live concert at the Tanglewood Music Center in Massachusetts. The 84-year-old composer said that he has seen an early cut of "Episode VIII." He also revealed that he accepted Lucasfilm producer Kathleen Kennedy's invitation to score the film because he was "enchanted" by "Episode VII" star Daisy Ridley's portrayal of the new character Rey. Williams reportedly said that he does not want any other composer scoring the actress' scenes.

Ridley, along with most of her "Episode VII" co-stars, is set to reprise their roles in the upcoming "Episode VIII."

"Star Wars: Episode VIII" is slated to hit theaters on Dec. 15, 2017.