News that Rian Johnson's ( Star Wars: The Last Jedi) was tapped to write and direct a new trilogy of Star Wars films was announced back in November, now it looks like scenes from the new series will be filmed in part of Scotland next month.



The historic pass Rest and Be Thankful has been labelled as a potential site for the first film in the new stand-alone Rian Johnson. The A83 is a major road in the south of Argyll and Bute, Scottish Highlands, running from Tarbet to Campbeltown. Rest & Be Thankful are the words inscribed on a stone near the junction of the A83 and the B828, placed there be soldiers who built the original military road in 1753.



A source revealed this production news to the Sunday Mail, saying that:



“As is now customary with any Star Wars production, the movie is shrouded in secrecy but they want to shoot scenes around the Rest and Be Thankful. Further filming has been pencilled in for elsewhere in the country.”



Writer-director Johnson has spoken of his excitement about the project.



He said: “I’m in the very beginning phases of coming up with it so right now the sky is kind of the limit. The appeal of it to me is to do a new story told over three movies, to have that kind of canvas, to be in the Star Wars world and to have the feel of a Star Wars film. My entire pitch to Kathleen Kennedy [Lucasfilm president] and Disney was, ‘Let’s tell a new Star Wars story. Let’s tell one story over three movies, where we go to new places and meet new people. It’s a brand new story that feels like a great Star Wars story’. That was the extent of it. I didn’t pitch an idea or a time or anything like that. It was just bright blue sky to tell a new story in and they were so excited about it. I’m starting to form clusters of ideas for the trilogy but the most exciting thing right now is the potential of it.”



VisitScotland chief executive Malcolm Roughead is hoping that filming a Star Wars film in Scotland could help boost tourism. He said:



“Scotland is a familiar sight on the big screen with recent major productions such as Transformers: The Last Knight, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and the soon-to-be released Avengers: Infinity War all taking advantage of our wonderful landscape and rich heritage.



Set-jetting – where people visit locations and other destinations associated with movies – is a growing trend, with 40 per cent of all UK visitors inspired to come here after seeing it on film or television.



A further major production, such as Star Wars – one of the biggest cinematic franchises in the world – coming to Scotland would be a huge benefit to tourism and the economy, and a blockbusting addition to the discerning film fan’s set-jetting itinerary.”



Scottish Labour’s culture spokeswoman Claire Baker MSP said:



“The fact such a successful and popular worldwide franchise will be filmed in Scotland will excite fans and also provide a welcome boost to the economy.



I hope the producers take advantage of the skills people in Scotland have to offer, so as many local people as possible can find work and Scotland’s fantastic creative and digital community can take full advantage.”











