Star Wars: Episode VII filming is already underway!

Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise! Disney Chairman Alan Horn revealed the news that not only is the screenplay for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII complete and the cast almost there as well, but also that filming has "already begun" on the most anticipated sequel since EPISODE I.

Horn reiterated the fact that STAR WARS: EPISODE VII will be set 35 years after RETURN OF THE JEDI and allayed fears about the cast of the movie.

“We have a lot of them [in place],” he said about the main actors, whose names have not been disclosed. “We’re just not completely done yet.”

It remains unknown when we will find out just who is in the movie since most films provide a press release at the beginning of production to herald the movie. The secrecy surrounding STAR WARS: EPISODE VII is obviously much higher than other blockbusters, including the likes of BATMAN VS SUPERMAN and THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON. There is a duty to fans of George Lucas' franchise and a responsibility to get this film right after the disappointment many felt with the prequel trilogy. But, Horn said exactly what we hoped when he stated what has taken so long to get STAR WARS: EPISODE VII going.

“It’s all about the screenplay,” he said. “It has to be screenplay, screenplay, screenplay.” Asked if the screenplay was fully where it needed to be, he added: “It actually is now.”

The troubles with the script have been well rumored and include the departure of Michael Arndt when J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan took over. Speculation has that difficulty being the focus on new characters versus the Skywalker clan and vice versa, but with roles changing and potential actors being tested and then dropped from contention, it is almost impossible to know for sure what the hell is going on. All we do know is that the movie has actually begun and we can now truly start counting down the days until STAR WARS: EPISODE VII hits theaters on December 18, 2015.