The three iconic actors at the centre of the original Star Wars trilogy will begin shooting JJ Abrams' Episode VII in April, according to Carrie Fisher.

Fisher, who played Princess Leia in 1977's Star Wars and its two sequels, told TV Guide not only that the key leads would return, but that filming was due to start later this spring. She added that she was looking forward to getting back into character. "I'd like to wear my old [cinnamon buns] hairstyle again – but with white hair," the Press Association reported her as saying. "I think that would be funny."

Mark Hamill, who portrayed Luke Skywalker, yesterday refused to be drawn on rumours he will return to his best known role. In a Q&A session on Reddit, he wrote: "The only character I know for sure is returning is my friend R2-D2. He hasn't stopped beeping about it." Hamill added: "I'm not being coy, really. When I find something out, I'll let everybody know. But nothing has been decided yet."

Recent reports suggest Episode VII has been retooled to centre on Skywalker, Leia and Han Solo. Abrams revealed at the weekend that the screenplay for his film is complete, and revealed talks had been held with Breaking Bad's Jesse Plemons over a role. Episode VII is due to hit cinemas in time for Christmas 2015 and will be the first Star Wars film to emerge since creator George Lucas sold all rights to Disney for $4.05bn (£2.46bn) two years ago.

The studio plans a new trilogy of films as well as a number of spin-off "origins" movies featuring iconic figures such as Solo, Yoda and Boba Fett from the original triptych of movies. The latest rumour to emerge is that multiple Oscar-winning Disney-owned animation studio Pixar might take charge of one of these films. "Maybe you don't want a live-action movie of how Young Han Solo met Chewbacca, but if Pixar did it, maybe it'd be tolerable," reports Latino Review.

• Gallery: behind the scenes on Star Wars

