It was previously reported that the production crew of J.J. Abrams' upcoming project "Star Wars: Episode VII" was heading to Tunisia and Morocco for the first weeks of filming. These locations clearly suggest that "Episode 7" will be featuring Tatooine, the fictional desert-like home planet of Anakin and Luke Skywalker.
Recently, a source close to the project revealed to the Hollywood Reporter that Abrams, in partnership with Disney, are currently planning to construct an "extensive recreation" of the planet's environment. This will take place in a "Morocco-like environment," instead of a desert location in Tunisia where the Tatooine scenes for "Episode IV: A New Hope" were filmed.
Cinema Blend reported that after filming of the deserts scenes have been completed, Abrams and his production staff will head to England's Pinewood Studios. This is where most of the sequences of the movie will be filmed.
Although no details about the storyline and cast members have been officially released yet, "Star Wars: Episode VII" will take place 30 years after the events of "Episode VI: Return of the Jedi." It will follow the script co-written by the director himself and the scriptwriter for "Empire Strikes Back," Lawrence Kesdan.
Rumors about Mark Hamil, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher reprising their roles in the upcoming film are yet to be confirmed. But in a previous article on the Hollywood Reporter, Disney CEO Bob Iger said, "There will be some very familiar faces along with a trio of new young leads."
Adam Driver from HBO's "Girls" is also rumored to play the role of the film's central villain.
So far, the only characters confirmed to return in "Episode VII" are R2-D2 and Chewbacca. Actor Peter Mayhew from the original film trilogy will be reprising his role as the Wookie co-pilot of the Millennium Falcon.
The yet-to-be-titled "Star Wars: Episode VII" is scheduled to hit theaters on Dec. 18, 2015.