Disney’s chief executive producer Bob Iger has confirmed that the famous robot R2-D2 will be returning to the silver screen in the upcoming Star Wars film.
The announcement was made Mar. 19 at the company’s annual shareholders meeting. Disney purchased the iconic film franchise from Lucasfilm in 2012 and has been planning a new instalment over the past two years.
R2-D2 is the only cast member whose name has been released, but Disney has stated in previous media appearances that others will join him.
The official Star Wars website stated on Mar. 17 that “it has also been confirmed that Star Wars: Episode VII is set about 30 years after the events of Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, and will star a trio of new young leads along with some very familiar faces. No further details on casting or plot are available at this time.”
Rumours have been surfacing about other possible stars. Television star Adam Driver from the hit series Girls, and Oscar winning actress Lupita Nyong’o are among them.
Filming will begin in May this year, and the film is scheduled to hit theatres December 2015.
