New ‘Star Wars’ to film in Britain
All of the six previous films of the hit franchise features scenes shot in the UK
Disney-owned Lucasfilm announced on Friday that production of Star Wars: Episode VII will take place in the United Kingdom, the latest example of a high-profile Hollywood movie filming outside California. Another big Disney movie, Marvel Studios’ current release Iron Man 3, filmed in North Carolina.
Britain provides rebates of up to 25 per cent, making it an attractive destination for such big productions as the Harry Potter movies, Clash of the Titans and Captain America: the First Avenger.
The Star Wars franchise has long-standing ties to Britain. All of the six previous live-action Star Wars movies have filmed scenes in the UK, at such renowned studios as Shepperton and Pinewood Studios.
“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 utilising the incredible talent there can be a part of that,” Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm said in a statement. “Speaking from my own long-standing connection to the UK with films like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Empire of the Sun and recently War Horse, it’s very exciting to be heading back.”
Representatives from Lucasfilm met with the chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, in London this year to establish an agreement to produce Star Wars in the UK.
“I am delighted that Star Wars is coming back to Britain,” Osborne said. “Today’s announcement that the next Star Wars film will be shot and produced in the UK is great news for fans and our creative industries.”
Star Wars: Episode VII will be directed by JJ Abrams, with a screenplay by Michael Arndt, and is scheduled for a 2015 release.
After acquiring Lucasfilm last year for $4 billion, Disney announced this year that it will release a new Star Wars film every year starting in 2015, with Episode VII the first instalment in a planned trilogy. Disney also is releasing two stand-alone Star Wars films that are not part of the overall saga.
