Last year on the blog, we shared that production would begin on Star Wars: Episode VII, scheduled for release in 2015. Today, we’re pleased to share that production of the film will take place in the United Kingdom.
All of the six previous live-action Star Wars movies have included UK production in such famed studios as Elstree, Shepperton, Leavesden, Ealing and Pinewood Studios. Earlier this year, representatives from Lucasfilm met with London officials to establish the new agreement.
Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy expressed her excitement for the news sharing, “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 recentlyWar Horse, it’s very exciting to be heading back.”
Over the past year, The Walt Disney Company has shot several other films in the UK, including Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World (scheduled for U.S. release in November 2013) at Shepperton Studios, Maleficent (scheduled for U.S. release in July 2014) starring Angelina Jolie, and The Muppets… Again! (scheduled for release in March 2014) on location in London and at Pinewood Studios.
For more about the Star Wars production announcement and other Star Wars news, click here.