Star Wars: Episode VIII director Rian Johnson revealed some key news and posted two pictures from the set to his “lousy stinkin tumblr” page.

It sent the franchise’s millions of fans to heaven. Or rather, a galaxy far, far, away.

Star Wars: Episode VIII picture (rian johnson's lousy stinkin tumblr)
Star Wars: Episode VIII picture (rian johnson’s lousy stinkin tumblr)

Rian accompanied the upload with the words: “Good. Bad. I’m the guy with the microfibre sham.”

The 42-year-old film-maker also revealed some news that will have aficionados proclaiming the Force is strong with him.

“I can’t believe we’re halfway through the shoot. (We’re halfway through the shoot!),” he added.

A Star Wars: Episode VIII picture (rian johnson's lousy stinkin tumblr)
A Star Wars: Episode VIII picture (rian johnson’s lousy stinkin tumblr)

Rian’s credits include directing feature film Looper, as well as three episodes of acclaimed US series Breaking Bad which starred Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul.

For obsessives, all we need to say is that he was behind the camera for the much-heralded episode, Ozymandias.

On the Star Wars front, filming for Episode VIII commenced in Ireland earlier this year in February.

Mark Hamill pictured at the world premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Mark Hamill pictured at the world premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Mark Hamill, who became a global superstar when the original movie was released in 1977, heads the cast of Episode VIII as Jedi Luke Skywalker.

Fellow 1977 star Carrie Fisher returns as Luke’s sister General Leia.

Daisy Ridley and John Boyega are reviving their Episode VII portrayals of Rey and Finn respectively.

Star Wars' Daisy Ridley and John Boyega (Paul Bruinooge/AP)
Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley and John Boyega (Paul Bruinooge/AP)

Among the cast in the new film, which is due for release in December 2017, will be The Usual Suspects’ Benicio Del Toro, Jurassic Park’s Laura Dern and newcomer Kelly Marie Tran.

On Twitter, Star Wars fans were chomping at the bit for more about the latest film in the blockbusting franchise.

Star Wars: bring it on!