When Disney first announced that it had acquired Lucasfilm and was moving forward with new Star Wars films, the level of fan excitement was understandably very, very high. Not only did Disney have new Star Wars films in the pipeline, but the studio was hoping to release the next one—Episode VII—in just three short years. With the potential 2015 release date looming, the search for a director began, culminating with producer Kathleen Kennedy finally tapping Mr. J.J. Abrams to take the helm.

While Abrams is clearly busy promoting the release of Star Trek Into Darkness at the moment, he’s also very deep in development on Star Wars: Episode VII. Steve recently spoke with Abrams’ producer Bryan Burk about Into Darkness, and during the course of their conversation Burk also talked briefly about Star Wars, which he is also producing alongside Abrams and Kennedy. While he was understandably tight-lipped, Burk did reveal that they’re hoping to start filming early next year. Hit the jump to read on.

With Disney pushing hard for a 2015 release for Star Wars: Episode VII, production on the film needs to get underway sooner rather than later. Steve asked Burk if they know when and where they might be filming, and while he noted that it’s still early in the development process, a 2014 start-date seems likely:

“We’re progressing on a schedule to hopefully begin next year, or the beginning of next year, and the location is still kind of floating around in the air all depending on script and a whole bunch of other issues. As I just said, everything is kind of a free-flowing thing, and when we feel like the story level on this script and everything is really coming together and schedules are all working and pieces line up, we prowl ahead, and Star Wars will be no different.”

Abrams is currently working closely with screenwriter Michael Arndt to hone the script, so it makes sense that the locations are still a tad up in the air. Obviously no one wants to move forward with Star Wars: Episode VII until they’re confident that it will be a worthwhile effort that respects the legacy of George Lucas’ original films, so it’s nice to hear that everyone is focused on getting the script in top shape before moving into production.

Look for Steve’s full interview with Burk closer to the release of Star Trek Into Darkness. You can read the full exchange between the two regarding Star Wars below.

Collider: Do you know where and when you might be filming?

BRYAN BURK: We’re progressing on a schedule to hopefully begin next year, or the beginning of next year, and the location is still kind of floating around in the air all depending on script and a whole bunch of other issues. As I just said, everything is kind of a free-flowing thing, and when we feel like the story level on this script and everything is really coming together and schedules are all working and pieces line up, we prowl ahead, and Star Wars will be no different.

Are you a little bit surprised, even for you, about the level of interest or did you sort of know there would be a level of interest you’ve never had before on anything?

BURK: I mean, it’s Star Wars. It’s something that obviously has successfully been handed down from generation to generation in the last 40 years. If I weren’t working on the project, I’d have the same interest as everyone else because it’s something that I, too, am looking forward to seeing where the franchise goes next.

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