LucasFilm will start filming "Star Wars" Episode IX in April 2017. The first filming location will be Pinewood Studios London where both Episode VII and Episode VIII were filmed.Reports are also out that a scene may be shot in real outer space. Initially, it was said that Episode 9 will be released in May 2019 or Dec. 2019 which means the filming will start more than 2 years before. In the case of Episode VIII also the same happened as its filming started Feb. 2016 and it will be released in Dec. 2018.
It seems makers have decided to give the directors ample time to get the best out of them. "Star Wars: Episode VIII" director Rian Johnson has got enough time for his film and "Episode IX" director Colin Trevorrow is also getting a huge head start to meet Dec. 2019 release date. Although no exact release date has been confirmed by LucasFilm and Disney, OLV suggested that "Star Wars" Episode XII will not be released until May 23, 2019.
However, there is a possibility that the makers may release the film in Dec. 2019 as "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" and "Star Wars: Episode VIII" have December release dates. According to Screen Rant, December is the month when "The Force Awakens" became a record-breaking blockbuster and "Rogue one" and "Episode VII" seems to have the same success. "Episode IX" might opt for December 2019 release to avoid a clash with "Avatar 3" which will not release before 2020, the report further noted. This will also give the film's makers enough time to come out with a fitting conclusion to the trilogy.
No story details of "Star Wars: Episode IX" has been revealed till now but Mark Hamill has confirmed in August this year that Luke Skywalker will be back in "Episode IX". Director Colin Trevorrow also expressed his desire to shoot a scene in actual outer space which will be done using IMAX cameras, as per Movie Web.