With filming finally wrapped on the UNESCO world heritage site of Skellig Michael, the southwest looks set to be playing host to more filming in the ongoing Star Wars franchise, with reports that the eighth instalment will be shot on the Ceann Sibéal headland of the Dingle Peninsula.
Lucasfilm, the production company founded by Star Wars creator George Lucas that produces the billion-dollar series, has surveyed the Irish location and is reportedly considering the cliffs near Ballyferriter for the 2017 film, RTÉ reports.
Property owners in and around the area have reportedly entered into confidential agreements with Lucasfilm in order to assist in the production of the sci-fi epic, with filming scheduled to take place on the cliffs in April, 2016.
Kerry has already played host to the series, with filming taking place on the remote monastic settlements of Skellig Michael over the last two years. Shooting and reshooting at the heritage site proved increasingly controversial when An Taisce, archaeologists, ecologists, and a number of conservation groups raising concerns over the damage filming a Hollywood movie could cause the early-Christian monastery.
Filming on Ceann Sibéal would not be without its own difficulties, as the area is designated by the EU as a Special Protection Area, due to the presence of chough, fulmar, and peregrine falcons. Before the April deadline for shooting on the eighth film to begin, an environmental assessment report will have to be filed.
The as-yet untitled eighth Star Wars film will be written and directed by Rian Johnson, and is currently scheduled for release on May 26th, 2017. The Force Awakens will hit cinemas worldwide on December 18th.
