Making a Star Wars movie is a dream for many directors, a point that’s made in this new USA Today featurette from the set of The Last Jedi. Rian Johnson can’t help but giggle as shooting begins on Episode VIII and he gets to work with Chewie, Mark Hamill, and of course, the late Carrie Fisher.
Fisher playfully gives Johnson a hard time at one point, while Gwendoline Christie offers up something just a tad more straightforward. But aside from these cast testimonials, there’s a lot of impressive footage of the sets, as well as a possible glimpse at Benicio Del Toro’s character. Del Toro plays DJ, whom Johnson has previously described as a “shady character of unclear allegiances.” In this video, though, he seems to be on the side of the Resistance, going undercover with Finn (John Boyega) and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran). There’s also what appears to be a giant puppy in a stable, which is actually something known as a Fathier or “space horse,” offering the Porg some stiff competition as the cutest Star Wars creature.
The Last Jedi hits theaters December 15.