J.J. Abrams Will Start Shooting 'Star Wars Episode VII' in early 2014; Wants to See Lucas Direct More Films

Fresh off the Enterprise, directing “Star Trek Into Darkness,” J. J. Abrams revealed that "Star Wars: Episode VII" will finally be happening.

J.J. Abrams said "Star Wars: Episode VII" will begin shooting in January, 2014. The director was evasive about plot questions at the PGA-sponsored "Produced By" conference at the 20th Century Fox lot, but revealed that fans can start scouring the Internet for on-set photos.

J.J. Abrams said that production on the long awaited continuation of the long-running science fiction franchise is set to begin in January of 2014.

According to Deadline magazine, Abrams told the PGA conference, "Most likely we are going to be moving to London at the end of the year for the 'Star Wars' movie." Abrams admitted that he wanted to shoot would have preferred to shoot "Star Wars: Episode VII" in Los Angeles, but but Disney had already planned to shoot the latest entry in the United Kingdom before he signed on as director.

J.J. Abrams also confessed his love of the Star Wars films and that he was going to keep it close to what the fans have been anticipating.

"Star Wars: Episode VII" will be written by Michael Arndt, who wrote the screenplay for "Toy Story 3." "Star Wars: Episode VII" is expected to be in theaters in the summer of 2015.

The Question and Answer conference was moderated by "Django Unchained" producer Reginald Hudlin, who tried to loosen the tight-lipped Abrams as far as details about the new Star Wars movie.

A coy Abrams countered by explaining "I think that the thing is so big and so massive to so many people that the key to moving forward is honoring but not revering what went before."

George Lucas, who created the “Star Wars” franchise, will be on board only as a consultant on the upcoming films. Abrams said he hopes Lucas will continue making other films. Abrams said, "Lucas for years has spoken for years about wanting to make those smaller, more experimental films and I hope he does because I’d really like to see them.”

 by Tony Sokol