There’s palpable tension in the air in Dubrovnik as we hold our breath waiting to hear who arrived to the city for the filming of Star Wars Episode VIII. DubrovackiDnevnik.hr reported earlier how the film crew arrived today midday on a charter flight from London.

In the meantime, Net.hr came in possession of a hidden cam shot of a landspeeder prop vehicle we already reported on which will be involved in the filming.

Supposed landspeeder on Dubrovnik set, photo Grgo Jelavic/PIXSELL

Supposed landspeeder on Dubrovnik set, photo Grgo Jelavic/PIXSELL

Supposed landspeeder on Dubrovnik set, photo Grgo Jelavic/PIXSELL

The same Croatian news portal also reported the preparation work on the set today included taking down all the antennas on the properties which are likely to be in the shot meaning a lot of the actual Dubrovnik scenery might be included in the end footage released on the film. We certainly hope so.

Local media in Dubrovnik have already mentioned the rumour about Star Wars production renting out a ship or boat to use for filming. It is today that we hear stories about one of the vessels in Dubrovnik harbour being fitted with unusual looking add-ons on one of its decks that resemble parts of the set seen in other areas of the city. Also, a big screen seems to have been put up and that one may be used to hold the green screen made for facilitating CGI. DuList published the story with photos below.

Ship in Dubrovnik Harbour, photo DuList

Big screen being fitted on the deck, photo DuList

Big screen being fitted on the deck, photo DuList

Some parts look like sets seen in other areas of Dubrovnik, photo DuList

Some parts look like sets seen in other areas of Dubrovnik, photo DuList

There are no confirmations a ship will be used in the filming or that this is the one in question, but these photographs do suggest this could very well be more than a rumour. If this is so, what are the scenes to be shot on a ship? Will we get to see large aquatic vessels appearing in Episode VIII? The few we’ve had so far were less than impressive, this would be a perfect opportunity to try and improve on those.

We are only a day away from Star Wars sets in Dubrovnik being closed by the final preparations and filming. It has been an exciting month or so of preparations, rumours (so many rumours) and speculations about everything to do with Episode VIII.

There has been a ton of material written, photographed or filmed on the streets of Dubrovnik and for those who are not going to be able to actually come here and see it all firsthand, there is hardly any bit of the sets or production infrastructure that they’ll miss. If still feel like you are not well informed about the whole thing, here is a video by Manny Media YouTube channel with a few key information about the filming and the franchise you might find helpful.

https://youtu.be/Xcol5-Tq9d8

We are all looking forward to getting more information about plans for future films by the franchise in the near future.

It seems the production of Star Wars is in financial dire straits and need help from local population to light up the sets in Dubrovnik. We are kidding of course, but there is truth to that last sentence. It seems the owners of the properties on the main street in Dubrovnik got a memo from the production house asking them to leave the all their lights on during filming of Star Wars Episode VIII in Dubrovnik.

Star Wars Set on Dubrovnik’s main street, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

As reported by DuList who came into possession of one of those memos, the home owners whose homes are basically on the set (overlooking the Main Street) were asked to leave the lights on through the night as long as filming goes on. Why exactly did they make this request is unclear, but it is probably going to be beneficial for the lighting of the set.

Memo to the home owners. photo DuList

This weekend marked the beginning of the peak area for everybody wanting to make a trip to Dubrovnik and see the sets for the upcoming filming of Star Wars Episode VIII before the filming starts on Wednesday March 9th. We’ve been receiving plenty of e-mails and questions from Star Wars fans from across the globe during the past few months and many of them were planning to come to see the sets up close. Some of the fans from Croatian city of Split decided to take a trip to Dubrovnik this Saturday and managed to get some pretty cool materials while here. Below are a few fan photos of the filming locations by Mr. Goran Les and a video clip by YouTube channel EdoStuff – CroHD Plane Spotting documenting the trip.

Great Stuff from the Split fans. Keep it up, the show is just starting…

Storm in Dubrovnik, photo Flare Studio

You know it doesn’t look good for the production when we are talking about the weather 3 days before the filming. Dubrovnik is experiencing heavy rain and strong southern winds since Saturday night and those are expected to continue until Monday morning. National Weather Service even issued an “orange” warning for Dubrovnik area. This is bad news for many Star Wars fans who decided to use the weekend to come to Dubrovnik and see the sets before the close for public on Wednesday 9th of March. It’s also a concern for the production of Star Wars Episode VIII as Dubrovnik weather in March can get very rough very quickly. However, the forecast for much to the upcoming week is not that bad and the rain is predicted to subside completely.

In the meantime, there is no rest for the crews getting the sets ready. As Dubrovnik Times reported, people working on the sets on the main street were seen using large mobile dryers, drying the street between showers. t.

It remained unclear what was the final point of it, but it is obvious that rain and Star Wars sets don’t mix well. We hope the forecasts for the filming week will prove correct.

Members of Star Wars Hrvatska, Croatian fan community who already brought us cosplay photos from Dubrovnik are back in town! They are said to have arrived in numbers and are joining the locals in anticipation of the climax of Star Wars madness that’s been sweeping across this city in the past few months. They’ve reported their arrival with a photo of three fans in full Star Wars cosplay outfit on location in the Old City centre. Something tells us there are more photos to follow.

Croatian Star Wars Fans, photo Star Wars Hrvatska

On their website, the fans put up a photo of one of the city landmarks that’s been transformed for the role in Episode VIII, Great Onofrio’s Fountain has been fitted with lighting fixtures. As it is located at the beginning of Main Street, it will undoubtedly add to the excellent visual effect that part of the set will have in the end product.

Onofrios Fountain in Dubrovnik gets a makeover, photo Star Wars Hrvatska

Sad news has spread over Star Wars fan community. Professor Tony Dyson, the builder of the original R2-D2 was found dead on the Maltese island of Gozo, as reported by the BBC. He is thought to have died of natural causes.

He was commissioned to build eight R2-D2 units for the filming of the original Star Wars series. His creation remains until today, one of the most popular and iconic Star Wars characters. R2-D2 was a character with its own personality. He was devoted, brave, and at times a bit stubborn. If we take a look at the fact we are talking about a robot with plenty physical similarities to an ordinary bucket, the fact he became such a well developed character and a loving icon of the movie serves as a great credit both to the director, but also to its maker, Mr. Tony Dyson. Rest in Peace.

Tony Dyson, photo BBC

In an unrelated news, according to Mr. Lizo Mzimba of the BBC, Daisy Ridley will not be appearing in Dubrovnik part of Star Wars Episode VIII filming, much to the dismay of local masses, myself including.

A truly gloomy and miserable day in Dubrovnik today with rain falling on and off since early morning. Still, we spared no effort and went around our home town to give you a run through of all the publicly accessible locations and bring you brand new photographs. Lost of them!

Main Street is the most interesting location for anyone and it seems it will feature most of the action to be filmed in Dubrovnik.

Star Wars Set Dubrovnik, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Star Wars Set Dubrovnik, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Star Wars Set Dubrovnik, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Star Wars Set Dubrovnik, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Star Wars Set Dubrovnik, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Star Wars Set Dubrovnik, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Star Wars Set Dubrovnik, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Star Wars Set Dubrovnik, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Star Wars Set Dubrovnik, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Some action is definitely being lined up at the set.

Star Wars Set Dubrovnik, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

One of the smaller streets in Dubrovnik got a Star Wars makeover without any of the media noticing. It takes a local with a true knowledge of his town to recognise the light fixtures on the walls have changed. What seems like electrical installations have also been added. Throughout the street.

All the light fixtures on the walls are movie props, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Dubrovnik Star Wars Set, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

All the fixtures on the walls are movie props, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

All the light fixtures on the walls are movie props, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

What appear to be production stickers are all through the street, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Production tents with parts of the set, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Adjacent to the main street is Sv. Dominika Street with a staircase leading to the Dominican Monastery complex. Here some light fixtures have also been mounted and a rail guideline for a camera or some prop has been fitted.

Steps leading to Dominican Monastery with new light fixtures, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Steps leading to Dominican Monastery with new light fixtures, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

Rail fixture probably for camera(s) or props, photo starwarsdubrovnik.com

The guys from special effects department are on the ground!

Special effects team?

Rector’s Palace is one of the most attractive landmarks in Dubrovnik. It is one of the already announced filming locations for Star Wars Episode VIII, but so far there were no signs of any activity in or around it except for regularly schedules renovation work. However, it seems renovation was halted and the interior re-done, probably to allow for filming of interiors.

Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik might be used for shots of interiors

Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik might be used for shots of interiors

Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik might be used for shots of interiors

Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik might be used for shots of interiors

Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik might be used for shots of interiors

Are we to see interior shots of the inside of one of the most recognizable monuments in Dubrovnik?

Rector’s Palace in Dubrovnik’s Old City Centre, photo Flare Studio