LONDON: Fan excitement is already high as JJ Abrams take the helm of the next evolution of the Star Wars franchise and recent reports suggest Episode VII will be filmed in the United Kingdom. The seventh film in the Star Wars series will be shot in Britain, producers of the science-fiction franchise have confirmed, London's Guardian newspaper says. Shooting is scheduled to begin next year. Parts of earlier movies in the series had been shot in the country, the paper says. “We've devoted serious time and attention to revisiting the origins of Star Wars as inspiration for our process on the new movie," Kathleen Kennedy, president of Star Wars producer Lucasfilm, said. “It's very exciting to be heading back." Burbank, California-based Walt Disney Co. (DIS) bought Lucasfilm Ltd. for $4.05 billion in cash and stock in October 2012. The Star Wars films have generated $4.54 billion in worldwide ticket sales, second to the Harry Potter series, Bloomberg News reported in October. U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne welcomed the news. “It is clear evidence that our incentives are attracting the largest studios back to the U.K.," he said in a statement. “I am personally committed to seeing more great films and television made in Britain." BN