Lucasfilm has announced that the next installment of the Star Wars saga, Episode VII, is set to be filmed and produced in the United Kingdom.
The agreement was established earlier this year between London officials and Lucasfilm representatives. The first six Star Wars live action films have included production at famed UK studios include Elstree, Sheppperton, Leavesden, Ealing, and Pinewood Studios.
“We’ve devoted serious time and attention to revisiting the origins of Star Wars as inspiration for our process on the new movie, and I’m thrilled that returning to the UK for production and utilizing the incredible talent there can be a part of that. Speaking from my own longstanding connection to the UK with films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Empire of the Sun and recently War Horse, it’s very exciting to be heading back,” said Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy.
The Walt Disney Company is no stranger to filming in the UK. Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World (scheduled release date November 2013) was filmed at Shepperton Studios, while Maleficent starring Angelina Jolie (scheduled release date July 2014) and The Muppets…Again! (scheduled release date March 2014) were filmed on location in London and at Pinewood Studios.
Star Wars: Episode VII will be directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Michael Arndt and is scheduled for a 2015 release.
