With cameras finally rolling on Star Wars: Episode VII , the steady stream of casting and plot-point rumours have gradually ground to a halt, but fortunately, we’re now at the stage where the first images are emerging from the production.

Today’s nugget isn’t a new on-set image, but rather a glimpse of an encouraging note from J.J. Abrams to his cast and crew, in which the director gives them a quick pep talk to gear them up for the task ahead.

“Dearest Cast and Crew,” begins the note. “What an honour it is to work beside all of you, on Star Wars Ep VII . I can’t thank you enough, for all work past and future.”

“Let’s take good care of not just ourselves, but of each other. Amazing, but true: the world awaits this film. Let’s give ‘em something GREAT. xo JJ.”

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He’s done The Dark Knight , cast his spell over Harry Potter and we’re about to see him go nose to nose with some grumpy simians in Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes , but now it looks possible Brit movie royalty Gary Oldman could be joining the firmament for Star Wars Episode VII .

In a recent interview with Sky Movies Oldman revealed he has been approached about Star Wars VII , saying:

“They’ve called. You know, I’m more cynical about it now. I’ll believe it when I’m on the plane home. The deal isn’t done, but yeah, they’ve inquired. I mean Planet of the Apes , Harry Potter , Batman , and Star Wars … bloody hell!”

Cast confirmed for J J Abrams’ reboot currently only number previous Wars stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams and Anthony Daniels, though the internet has been ablaze with rumours of other possible attachments.

This one, at least, looks a little more concrete. We reckon the Oldman would make a classy addition to the franchise re-starter, due to begin filming in May.

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Star Wars: Episode VII news has been extremely hard to come by, but THR has released a glut of new information about the project, including a drastic new direction to be taken by the script.

The report claims that Lawrence Kasdan’s replacement of Michael Arndt was actually the result of a difference of opinion between Arndt and the studio over which characters should occupy the main focus of the film.

According to THR , the new script has Han, Luke and Leia in the leading roles once more, with Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher all set to reappear.

Their offspring will now take supporting roles, as opposed to the spotlight Arndt had been preparing to shine on them, while other parts have been omitted from this version of the script altogether.

Meanwhile, Jesse Piemons is said to be on a list of actors slated to meet with J.J. Abrams this week, while Michael Fassbender and Hugo Weaving are also said to have had discussions with the director.

Things certainly seem to be hotting up at long last. Star Wars: Episode VII will open in the UK on 18 December 2015.

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The first behind the scenes image has arrived online from Star Wars: Episode VII , featuring a number of the production team alongside a familiar figure from Star Wars lore…

Yes, it’s R2-D2 of course, seen here with J.J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy, as the duo paid a visit to the LucasFilm workshop.

It’s all terribly exciting, though we’d have preferred to see J.J. either with his arms around the little droid, or perhaps throwing his limbs into some sort of C-3P0 impersonation. We suppose you can’t have everything.

Abrams is currently hard at work putting the finishing touches to the script alongside co-writer Lawrence Kasdan, with production set to kick off early next year.

Now set to arrive in cinemas on 18 December 2015, let’s hope Episode VII finds room for R2 somewhere in its new cast of characters…

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Over the last few weeks, a rumour has been steadily building that all may not be well behind the scenes of Star Wars: Episode VII .

The problem as reported, has revolved around the fact that Abrams is unwilling to shoot the movie in the UK, as it would involve a lot of personal upheaval for a director who has only ever directed projects in the US.

The issue had been thought to be so serious that claims have been emerging online that Abrams is set to walk away from the project entirely. However, Lucasfilm has released an official statement claiming that this is not the case.

“There is no truth to the rumour,” begins the official response. “J.J. is having a great time working on the script and is looking forward to going into production next year.”

Sounds pretty conclusive to us. We can understand Abrams’ unwillingness to spend so much time apart from his family, but dropping out at this stage would be an extraordinary move, especially from a franchise so close to his heart.

We might not have heard much in the way of updates from the project, but given that’s the way Abrams always likes it, we wouldn’t read too much into his silence.

Star Wars: Episode VII is expected to open in 2015.

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Our star-studded Star Wars: Episode VII casting video trilogy draws to a close – and we’ve saved the best ’til last.

We sat down with some of Hollywood’s hottest actors and directors to see if they’d be interested in starring in J.J. Abrams’ forthcoming sci-fi epic, in this notably comedy star-slanted compilation.

Watch the video below to hear from – big breath – Bradley Cooper, Henry Cavill, Steve Carell, Alia Shawkat, Michael Cera, Sofia Coppola, Heather Graham, Justin Bartha, Amy Adams, Jeffrey Tambor, David Cross, Tony Hale, Ken Jeong, Michael Shannon, Antje Traue, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, John Goodman, and Billy Crystal.

Phew.

And then let us know who YOU’D love to see star in what’s set to be one of the biggest blockbusters of all time, in the comments below.

Loved their reactions? Then you should definitely check out our other videos, as Nic Cage, Joss Whedon and more talk all things Star Wars …

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With Star Wars: Episode VII edging towards a production start date, a possible casting breakdown has emerged online, giving some potential clues to the direction the new film will head in.

The team at Bleeding Cool (opens in new tab) have got their hands on a casting synopsis which outlines the key characters of the new film, with a young female protagonist top of the list.

The breakdown reads as follows:

– Late-teen female, independent, good sense of humour, fit.

– Young twenty-something male, witty and smart, fit but not traditionally good looking.

– A late twenty-something male, fit, handsome and confident.

– Seventy-something male, with strong opinions and tough demeanour. Also doesn’t need to be particularly fit.

– A second young female, also late teens, tough, smart and fit.

– Forty something male, fit, military type.

– Thirtysomething male, intellectual. Apparently doesn’t need to be fit.

We like the inclusion of “good sense of humour” as a requirement for the leading role. No sour-pusses please…

Whether or not the breakdown is legit remains to be seen, but the site claims to be 100% convinced of its veracity. If nothing else, it should provide plenty of grist for the rumour mill.

Directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: Episode VII will open in the UK in May 2015.

Oh, and for an idea of who could nab the roles, we’ve been asking a few of Hollywood’s biggest stars if they’d like to get involved…

And if you want to find out who’s at the top of our casting wishlist, check out this Casting Star Wars Episode VII feature:

(opens in new tab)

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Ever since J.J. Abrams was appointed director of Star Wars: Episode VII , much of the talk surrounding the project has been concerning the return of the original trilogy’s trio of stars.

Harrison Ford was the first reported to have re-signed, and the ageing action star has now come out and confirmed that his presence is almost a done deal.

“I think it’s almost true,” said Ford of his involvement. “I’m looking forward to it. It’s not in the bag yet, but I think it’s happening.” (From WGN (opens in new tab) , via Collider (opens in new tab) )

Meanwhile, both Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher have also talked about a possible return, with George Lucas recently suggesting that all three deals have been done.

We won’t know for sure until there’s an official statement from Disney, but for the time being, it looks like Han, Luke and Leia will be returning to a galaxy far, far away very soon.

Star Wars: Episode VII opens in the UK in 2015.

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Joss Whedon has weighed in on the debate surrounding the forthcoming Star Wars: Episode VII , suggesting that he’d do things differently.

More specifically, Whedon has given his opinion on the imminent return of original stars Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill, suggesting they should be left in the first trilogy.

“You know, I wouldn’t go back, I’d go forward,” Whedon told Digital Spy (opens in new tab) . “I would want to create characters that would resonate the way that they did. I mean not that I don’t want to see [ the new movies ], I would be excited to, but I also feel like I would want to explore a very different part of that universe.”

He was then confronted with the proposed notion of a Han Solo spin-off featuring a younger version of the character, and sounded equally unenthused.

“That I would never want to do,” remarked Whedon. “Some things may not be rebooted.” Star Wars: Episode VII will arrive in the UK in 2015.

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Matthew Vaughn is rumoured to be in talks with Lucasfilm to direct Star Wars: Episode VII .

The brand new installment in the space-opera saga is going to be the centre of some pretty intense rumour speculation right up until its May 2015 release, so take this with a handful of salt.

Collider reports that they’re hearing that Vaughn is in talks, and that the new SW was the reason behind the director’s decision to leave the X-Men franchise .

While Vaughn isn’t yet a household name, he has an extremely impressive directing career under his belt, currently standing four-for-four off Layer Cake , Stardust , Kick-Ass and X-Men: First Class .

With a confident hand across a variety of genres, it’s easy to imagine Vaughn making an extremely capable candidate – particularly when you look at how he revamped X-Men with retro-swagger, after a duff threequel had stripped the franchise of its cool.

That said, we’re keeping this particular rumour at arm’s length until we hear an official announcement.

Expect plenty more names to be thrown into the ring before we find out who’s landed the top job.

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