Bad Robot will build a post-production facility in Los Angeles exclusively for "Star Wars Episode VII."
The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that director J.J Abrams is building a facility with a green room, sound studios and other upgrades to keep at least a portion of the movie's production in L.A.
According to one insider, Abrams, who has shot all of his films in Los Angeles, is converting a part of his Bad Robot headquarters into production spaces built specifically for the "Star Wars" project. However, Bad Robot and Disney declined to comment.
The facility is an 18,000-square-foot Santa Monica building, which already has editing bays, a workshop for making props, a screening room that can double as a set and Abrams' personal suite of offices.
The news comes months after producer Kathleen Kennedy announced production would take place in the United Kingdom. At the Produced By Conference in June Abrams stated his disappointment with the film's production schedule because he would be separated from his wife and kids. "When you're 13 and 14, it's like, f--- that, I don't care what the movie is," said Abrams.
"Episode VII" is currently in pre-production with John Williams set to score the film, while Dan Mindel will serve as cinematographer. The film is currently casting, with Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Fisher rumored to reprise their roles from the original trilogy. Ewan McGregor, Anthony Daniels and Ian McDiarmid are also rumored to star in the film.
"Star Wars Episode VII" is set to be released in 2015 by Disney. The movie will begin shooting in January.