John Boyega has revealed filming for 'Star Wars: Episode VIII' is underway and the movie is much "darker" than 'The Force Awakens'.

John Boyega

John Boyega

Boyega is reprising his role as rogue Stormtrooper Finn and admits the sci-fi franchise is going to take a sinister turn in the next instalment.

In an interview with Vogue.co.uk, he shared: "(We're) just starting work on 'Star Wars VIII,' the next film, so I'm back to keeping secrets again. It's great. Much darker, but we're very excited."

Mark Hamill's character Luke Skywalker is set to have a prominent role in the sequel, while Daisy Ridley is returning as Rey, 'Game of Thrones' star Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma and Adam Driver will be donning his black mask and hood again as villain Kylo Ren.

Boyega was involved in several big action scenes in 'The Force Awakens' and he admits he has even more stunts to do in 'Episode VIII' so he is going to up his gym sessions.

Speaking about preparing for the new movie, he said: "For ('The Force Awakens') we really just took it scene by scene, there wasn't a huge regime. My part in the next film will be much more physical so I might be in the gym a bit more."

Rian Johnson is directing 'Star Wars: Episode VIII', while J.J. Abrams - who helmed 'Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens' - is acting as executive producer.

The movie is scheduled for release on 26 May 2017.