Fans eagerly await next “Star Wars” installment

No sooner had production begun of the latest installment, Episode VII, than “Star Wars” fever started spreading like a plague, with reports of its similarity to the original George Lucas trilogy, rumors of new adventures and exotic locations.

Disney and Lucasfilm have divulged little official information and some that was even a little deceptive.

In March they announced that the shoot of “Star Wars: Episode VII,” directed by J.J. Abrams, would begin at London’s Pinewood Studios in May, but on April 2 the president of Disney Studios, Alan Horn, said the work had already begun.

Horn also said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that they still hadn’t completed casting due to delays in finishing the screenplay, written by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan, who created “Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back” and “Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.”

The screenplay for the upcoming Episode VII, according to the saga’s official Web site, begins 30 years after the end of “Return of the Jedi” and features “a trio of new young leads along with some very familiar faces,” which subtly supports rumors about the appearance of some of the original stars Harrison Ford (Hans Solo), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Carrie Fisher (Princesss Leia).

Abu Dhabi will substitute Tunisia as the chosen location for recreating Luke Skywalker’s native planet, Tatooine.

Adam Driver, known for his role in the HBO series “Girls,” will be the new villain of the piece, Variety reported.

Disney has not confirmed that Driver will actually be the villain, but it has been officially announced that the premiere is scheduled for Dec. 18, 2015.