Rian Johnson has begun editing Star Wars: Episode VIII

Director Rian Johnson has begun the editing process on Star Wars: Episode VIII, as indicated by a photo he recently posted to his Instagram account.

Hot on the heels of the news that legendary composer John Williams will begin work on the score to Star Wars: Episode VIII, in a few weeks, director of the film, Rian Johnson, has just posted a photo to his Instagram account, showing him sitting in front of three computer screens with the words “Picture Start” on them.

The photo is captioned with “Day one!” and is basically Johnson’s way of telling Star Wars fans that he has officially begun the editing process on Star Wars: Episode VIII. Here’s that:

What does this mean for the film itself? Well, it means that in just a few short weeks, as John Williams begins setting the score to Star Wars: Episode VIII, there will be a “rough cut” of the film completed, a full year and four months ahead of its worldwide theatrical release.

It could also mean that we may have a trailer for Episode VIII, as soon as December, when Rogue One: A Star Wars Story hits theaters. What better way to begin promotion for the sequel to The Force Awakens — the next film in the Sequel Trilogy — than by playing its very first trailer in front of the first Star Wars standalone film?

Next: Watch the International Trailer for Rogue One with some new footage

The very first teaser for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, was shown in November of 2014. That was a year and a month ahead of the film’s theatrical release…so there’s already an established framework for Disney/Lucasfilm to follow, should they choose to do so. Star Wars: Episode VIII is set to hit theaters worldwide, in December of 2017.