Star Wars Episode VII To Shoot In UK

The eagerly awaited new Star Wars movie will be filmed in the UK, it has been announced.

Episode VII of the sci-fi franchise, which is being directed byJJ Abrams, will shoot at locations across Britain.

Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement: "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.

"Speaking from my own longstanding 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."

All six of the previous main series Star Wars movies have been shot in the UK - using facilities at Elstree, Shepperton, Leavesden, Ealing and Pinewood Studios.

It was recently reported that the dramatically rugged Isle of Skye would be used as a location in the new film.