'Star Wars: Episode 7' News Update: Film to Start Shooting May; When Will Casting Be Announced?

Disney has announced that "Star Wars: Episode VII" will begin filming in May.

Variety reported that the news was announced on the "Star Wars" Twitter account. Disney Chief Bob Iger confirmed that film would be set 30 years after the 1983 hit "Return of the Jedi" and will feature new and familiar faces.

Iger also stated, "I know many of you were hoping for some 'Star Wars' news, but it's really early in the process, so there really isn't much that I can share with you right now."

He continued, "The team is well into pre-production ... and from the concept art that I've seen so far, 'Star Wars: Episode VII' really looks amazing. For now, that's it. I'll get in trouble if I say more."

The executive also announced that R2D2 would return for the sequel. Rumor also has it that almost all the actors have been cast.

Rumors have spread throughout the past weeks about possible casting. Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o has reportedly met up with J.J. Abrams but there is no word which character she will play.

"Girls" star Adam Driver is also rumored for a villain role. Variety previously announced that the actor is in talks to play a character similar to Darth Vadar.

Meanwhile, a number of actors were shortlisted to play the lead role in the film. These include "Downton Abbey" actor Ed Speleers, "Attack the Block" star John Boyega, "Breaking Bad" and "Friday Night Lights" actor Jesse Plemons and theater actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher.

With filming beginning in May, Disney is bound to start announcing news regarding the film in the coming weeks. Additionally, if familiar characters are returning there is a huge chance the film brings back Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, and Harrison Ford as Han Solo. These actors have hinted about their potential returns throughout the past year.

Other actors who may return include Anthony Daniels as C3PO and Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calirissian.

It will also be interesting to see if any of the actors that auditioned for the film were cast. Among the actors that auditioned and have been linked to the film include Saoirse Ronan ("The Host," "Atonement"), Jack Reynor ("What Richard Did") and Zac Efron ("High School Musical," "The Lucky One").

"Star Wars: Episode VII" will be directed by Abrams who is best known for his work on "Star Trek" and "Mission Impossible 3." The film will be produced Kathleen Kennedy who has worked on a number of films including "Munich," "Lincoln," and "the Curious Case of Benjamin Button." Lawrence Kasdan who wrote the "Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi" helped Abrams write the script based on drafts by Michael Arndt ("The Hunger Games"). The movie will also have John Williams return as the composer for the score while frequent Abrams Collaborator Dan Mindel will serve as Director of Photography.

"Star Wars: Episode VII" is set for release on Dec. 18, 2015.