The elusive details surrounding the filming of Star Wars: Episode VII just became clearer. A person with knowledge of the film confirmed to tabloid! exclusively that filming will begin on May 16, contrary to several reports stating that it began on Tuesday.
The source added that filming would last for about two weeks, bringing the duration of the Abu Dhabi desert shoot up until the end of May.
Rumours that Abu Dhabi would be a location for the film were first confirmed by chairman of Disney’s film unit, Alan Horn, in April. He said some secondary scenes had already been shot.
Filming in the UAE is likely being supported by local production company twofour54, most recently responsible for the filming of action flick Fast & Furious 7 in the capital city. Production company twofour54 are also the local production partners for Bollywood film, Bang Bang. Casting for Star Wars: Episode VII was announced in April, revealing that the film would include John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Max von Sydow, Andy Serkis and Domhnall Gleeson. It will also star old-timers Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher alongside Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca and Kenny Baker as RD-D2.
“It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again,” director and co-writer J.J. Abrams said in a statement. “We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.”
The film is tentatively set to release in December of next year.
