Just confirmed casting news Star Wars: Episode VII

Today, Lucasfilm confirmed that Lee Towersey and Oliver Steeples, "Star Wars" fans and members of the R2-D2 Builders Club were actually  hired ...I REPEAT, HIRED, to build droids for the upcoming film...

Here's an interview with the pair;

It all started when Kathleen Kennedy toured the R2-D2 Builders area at Celebration Europe this past summer in Germany, says Steeples. She posed for pictures with us, looked at all the droids we'd built and was very complimentary. I mentioned that the R2-D2 Builders in the UK were available if required, as a semi-joke. When I was contacted to work on the film by [executive producer] Jason McGatlin, it was on her recommendation.

We know the pressures of filming, prepping, and being able to assure reliability throughout the shoot, says Towersey. We have a good knowledge of Artoo, with a large stock of parts for reference and drawings, plus we know what is involved throughout the whole building process, as well as potential problems we need to avoid.

Star Wars Episode VII prod and Lando casting news

 
It has been long rumored but now, there seems to be confirmation from Disney that New Mexico is indeed cleaner than Old Mexico. Disney is looking to set shop in New Mexico for the next 3 years
 
Disney has confirmed that shooting for Star Wars Episode VII will be taking place in various locations across New Mexico.  Disney has signed a three year deal to shoot the film in New Mexico and will be opening up a production office there in January
In other news

 E!Online spoke with actor David Oyelowo about a casting rumor that has him signed on to play in "Episode VII"

Here is a snippet of that interview:

"Everyone is asking me about Star Wars," Oyelowo said Saturday at the BAFTA LA Jaguar Britannia Awards. "The breaking news is J.J. Abrams is going to give you that breaking news."

He added, "I'd go anywhere to work with J.J. Abrams. I think what he did with Star Trek was so extraordinary�And I think what he'll do with Star Wars will be just as impressive."

While it's not clear which role Oyelowo could be on the list for, he did say that Lando Calrissian (played by Billy Dee Williams in the original Star Wars films) is his favorite character. "He was pretty cool," the actor said.

How so?

Oyelowo said with a big smile, "Because he looks like me."

STAR WARS: Episode VII FIRST behind the scene sneak peak of R2D2

Thank you JJ Abram,
Here is the FIRST behind the scene pic of Star Wars: Episode VII
ENJOY

Just officially announced: Star Wars: Episode VII to Hit Theaters December 18, 2015

Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios has just announced and has made it official (for now) "We're very excited to share the official 2015 release date for 'Star Wars: Episode VII,' where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture,"
Let the count down begin, 24 months, 11 days give or take a few hours.

Star Wars: Episode VII News and Video teaser

If you're a Star Wars fan, you have to be ecstatic about this tidbit, Episode VII release date has been ambitiously set for 2015 rather than 2016 as previously stipulated.

 Fanart poster

News of this comes from one of one of  the producer who is adamant that J.J Abram - who now has taken on writer's duties as well, will be able to deliver Episode VII within 2 years.
In other news, Harrison Ford looks as if he has signed off to reprise his role as Hans Solo...
See below for a video teaser video of the actors discussing Star Wars Episode VII