‘Star Wars Episode VII’ to start shooting in May, casting announcements soon

The next chapter in the “Star Wars” saga will finally start shooting this May in England. This according to director J.J. Abrams, who also confirmed that the highly-anticipated film’s script is complete at the Television Critics Association press tour this week.

“We’re working really hard and we’ve got our script and we’re in deep prep,” Abrams said. “Full steam ahead.”

The news of a firm start date comes as casting rumours continue to swirl around the project. “Episode VII” will be a sequel to the original “Star Wars” trilogy and will reportedly focus on the continuing adventures of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia, as well as a new generation of younger characters. Series stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher are said to still be in talks to reprise their career-defining roles, but an appearance by the three in some form is very likely. What really has fans speculating though are the many available roles for younger actors in “Episode VII.”

Everyone from Benedict Cumberbatch and Michael Fassbender, to Saoirse Ronan and Ewan McGregor have had their names tossed into the “Star Wars” mix. Even Dame Judi Dench (“Skyfall,” “Philomena”) is rumoured to be up for a part in the movie. Whether there’s any veracity to the rumours is still very much up for debate, but the involvement of at least some of those names seems probable. Cumberbatch recently worked with Abrams on “Star Trek Into Darkness” and would be a very good fit for the “Star Wars” galaxy, and McGregor is a veteran of the sci-fi franchise. Original Obi-Wan Kenobi actor Sir Alec Guinness passed away in 2000, so McGregor could potentially reprise his “Star Wars” prequel role (as a blue Force ghost) in the Abrams directed sequels.

One name that has kept cropping up in recent weeks is Jesse Plemons. The 25-year-old American actor is best known for his turn as the trigger-happy Todd on the hit TV series “Breaking Bad,” and for small roles in big movies like “Battleship” and “The Master.” At the TCA event, Abrams confirmed that he’s met with Plemons, but wouldn’t elaborate any further. Does former farm boy Luke Skywalker have a wide-eyed farm boy son?

Abrams tried to downplay the almost daily torrent of “Star Wars” rumours as simply that, but there’s probably a bit of truth to at least some of this speculation.

“There’ve been so many of them,” Abrams said of the constantly churning “Episode VII” rumour mill. “It is an incredible thing to see how many crazy things get thrown out that people often then write commentaries about. How happy they are, how disappointed they are about something that is completely false. It’s a lot of noise, frankly.”

With principle photography set to get underway in May, one way or another we'll all know who's going to be in "Episode VII" very soon.

Who would you like to see cast in the new "Star Wars" movies? Let us know in the comments.

“Star Wars Episode VII” is set for a December 18, 2015 release.