'Star Wars: Episode VII', the hugely anticipated installment of the sci-fi series, will be set 30 years after the events of 1983's 'Return of the Jedi'.
Disney and Lucasfilm have announced that the shooting of the new film, being directed by JJ Abrams, will begin in May for a release on December 18, 2015.
"There will be some very familiar faces along with a trio of new young leads," said Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger during Disney's annual shareholder's meeting in Portland, Ore.
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According to the official Star Wars website, the film will be shot at London's historic Pinewood Studios.
Iger did not reveal much but has confirmed that R2D2 is returning in the new movie.
There were reports recently that this year's best actress Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o had met with Abrams on a possible role.
One of the most successful film series, the space drama was created by George Lucas, who directed the first film in the series in 1977.
Lucas sold the franchise to Disney for USD 4 billion in 2012.
