Laura Dern Recalls What Her First Day On Set For Star Wars: The Last Jedi Was Like

Many Star Wars fans have imagined what it would be like to officially join the galaxy far, far away. And according to Laura Dern, who will be portraying Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo in December’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the experience is quite unlike anything she has experienced before.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dern described her surreal first day on The Last Jedi‘s set. As she explained, the process was pretty surreal, and took her back to the days of her childhood.

“Once in a lifetime.” Dern revealed. “You’re dressed in this amazing creation that everyone put a lot of effort into, you walk on set and the camera starts to roll. You feel like an actor on a movie until you see R2-D2, and you’re like, ‘Wait a minute, I’m 8 years old, what’s happening? I’m pretending to be in Star Wars, but it’s real.’ That’s [set] it apart from any experience I’ve ever had. I’ll never forget it.”

Dern also revealed that the film’s production came at a particular point in her career, with her simultaneously filming on the smash HBO miniseries Big Little Lies.

“Thanks to both Jean-Marc [Valee] and HBO, as well as the producers and director of Star Wars, I was juggling those things. They were amazing and really made it possible for me. I also was finishing some of Twin Peaks at the time, so it was a bit crazy.”

But according to the actress, that hectic schedule never stopped her from appreciating the experience of being a part of the Star Wars universe.

“Actors thrive on work and love the art. When you’re on the train, it’s an exciting energy to be part of. It was incredible.”

The Last Jedi hits theaters on December 15.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the second film in the new Star Wars sequel trilogy that began with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in 2015. The film will deal with Luke training Rey to become a, and possibly the last, Jedi. Meanwhile, the Resistance, including Poe Dameron and First Order defector Finn, continues to fight against the First Order, led by General Hux, while Supreme Leader Snoke and his Dark Side follower Kylo Ren continue their mysterious plot.