'Star Wars VII' crew headed for Abu Dhabi
The emirate has been chosen as one of the shooting locations for the next film in the series created by George Lucas, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The cast and crew of "Star Wars: Episode VII" will head to Abu Dhabi in May to film scenes set on Tatooine. The desert planet is home to Anakin and Luke Skywalker, the protagonists of the 1977 and 2005 films respectively.
Disney reportedly chose Abu Dhabi for security reasons, preferring to steer clear of possible political unrest in North Africa. In the past, scenes on the Skywalkers' home planet were filmed in Tunisia, specifically in the village of Tataouine, known for its distinctive underground dwellings.
The cast and crew are expected to spend four weeks in Abu Dhabi. The feature's primary shooting location is outside of London, on the premises of the famous Pinewood Studio.
Production is already underway on "Star Wars: Episode VII," which will take place around 30 years after "The Return of the Jedi" (1983). Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Peter Mayhew will return in the roles of Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Chewbacca. Adam Driver ("Girls") is slated to play a villain. The rest of the cast remains a closely guarded secret.
"Star Wars: Episode VII" will arrive in theaters worldwide in December 2015. The release of the film will mark the first in a new series of projects based on the "Star Wars" franchise, which Disney acquired in fall 2012.
