Much of Lucas' Episode II and Episode III were shot on greenscreen, with locations added digitally after the fact; critical and fan response to those movies was notably negative -- mostly because of the screenplay and central performances in both, but the reliance on computer effects was a common complaint from many.

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Kennedy continued, "I was amazed yesterday and looking at what the fans are doing," referring to some of the presentations and displays at Celebration Europe. "Using model makers, using real droids, taking advantage of the artwork that you can touch and feel -- we want to do that in combination with CG effects."

The return to old-school effects wasn't the only retro news about Episode VII from Celebration Europe this weekend. Kennedy also confirmed rumors that John Williams would return to score the new trilogy.

Currently, Kennedy said, Episode VII is still in early preproduction stages, with Abrams and other writers at his Bad Robot production company still creating new characters for the movie. Half of her week is taken up with story meetings with Abrams and Bad Robot, she told the crowd. "We have the opportunity to create amazing new characters," she explained, adding that "story and character are all we're talking about right now."