The Force is clearly strong with the United Kingdom.
On a visit to director J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: Episode VII set in London, British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne revealed in a tweet that the upcoming Star Wars spinoff movie will be shot in the UK in 2015.
On set of Episode VII tonight, can announce another #StarWars film will be made in UK. A #LongTermEconomicPlan in a galaxy far far away
— George Osborne (@George_Osborne) June 10, 2014
Gareth Edwards will direct the yet-to-be-titled Star Wars spinoff at London’s Pinewood Studios.
“Lucasfilm and Disney’s decision to shoot the Star Wars stand-alone movie in the U.K. is testament to the incredible talent in Britain,” the British government minster said.
Osborne added, “The further changes the government made to the film tax relief at Budget 2014 will support our highly skilled, innovative creative sectors so that they continue to thrive and encourage more films to be made in the U.K.”
The United Kingdom has become the place to be for big Hollywood projects —Lucasfilm’s Stars Wars project clearly falls in that category — after an aggressive set of tax incentives were rolled out in recent years.
U.K. Culture Secretary Sajid Javid also said: “Given Lucasfilm’s decision to film another Star Wars movie in the U.K., it is clear that the Force is strong here.”
The Star Wars spinoffs will be released in 2016 and 2018.
