More bad news for Star Wars fans left disappointed by the delay to the next instalment of the sci-fi franchise. Looming strike action could push production on Episode 8 even further back.

Last week, Disney announced that the release date for the follow-up to Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been pushed to December 15, 2017, seven months later than originally planned.

Now, The Independent reports that a dispute between UK-based lighting technicians and employers' body Pact could lead to disruption for nine major productions - including Episode 8.

Lighting technicians are calling for an end to a four-year pay freeze, with trade union Bectu warning filming could stop as soon as Saturday (January 30).

Gerry Morrissey, general secretary of Bectu, said: "In order to shoot a film properly you need lighting. If there's no lighting, you can't get a decent picture. Without a decent picture you haven't got a film."

Producers from nine major productions, including superhero film Wonder Woman, Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan project The Foreigner, and the Tom Cruise-fronted reboot of The Mummy, have scheduled emergency talks to avoid the strike.

US producers have offered a pay rise of between 5% and 8.5% depending on the technicians' level of expertise and responsibilities.

Last week, an offer of a 2% increase from Pact was "overwhelmingly rejected", Morrissey said. Bectu has asked for a 20% pay rise to cover four years of no increases.

He added that around 600 lighting professionals had given one week's notice to end their contracts following the breakdown in talks last week.

Bectu will take the new offer to members, who are due to vote by the end of today.

Despite the challenges facing Episode 8, Disney is already planning more films beyond the current trilogy.

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