Another positive appointment that has been confirmed so far is the legend that is John Williams will be returning to score the next instalments of the franchise, ensuring the films have that blissful cinematic musical backing that made the first films so good (and the prequels just that little bit more bearable). Williams confirmed his role on the project this summer and he has already began working on the score for the film.

C3P0 R2D2
Could we see a return from these guys?

Here's where we take a turn into unknown waters; the cast. Initially it was reported that the three main stars of the first three films would all be returning for Episode VII. As it stands, both Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher seem relatively certain to return as Luke and Leia Skywalker, however Harrison Ford's involvement in the project is still unclear. Fisher and Hamill are believed to have met up with Lucas to discuss their involvement in the film early on and both have reportedly been asigned personal trainers to get them in shape for the film.

As for Ford, the actor has made no secret of his disdain for the films that launched his career, and has long held the belief that Han Solo should have died in either the second or third movie. He may finally get his chance to go out in the blaze of glory he always wanted with Episode VII, however the actor recently revealed that he is still unsure whether he should return to the galaxy far far away. Ford most recently appeared on The Graham Norton Show and said that he had "not quite made the choice" as to whether he would commit to the film.

As great as it would be to see Luke, Leia, Han, Chewy and Lando all back together on screen, we can't simply have a 2-hour reunion when Episode VII comes along, but as it stands we're still no closer to learning who the new cast members will be. There have been murmurings of a return from some of the deceased characters, namely Obi-Wan Kenobi and Emperor Palpatine, in spirit form, however these remain only rumors and have yet to be either confirmed or denied. Abrams is also said to be on the lookout for a new Wookie character, or at least another character to fill in Peter Mayhew's furry boots.

In June this year, we were treated to a list of requirements needed to fit the description of the new characters. Among them, the casting directors are apparently looking for a "thirtysomething male intellectual," two "late-teen" females, a young and an old "twenty-something male," a "fit, military type" male in his forties and another male actor in his seventies, with "strong opinions and tough demeanour."

Next page: Will Ryan Gosling be signing on for Star Wars Episode 7?