Star Wars creator George Lucas (Picture: Reuters)

The makers of the next Stars Wars film, Episode VII, have announced the production will be centred in the United Kingdom following talks with George Osborne.

The chancellor, who has since been made a 100/1 shot to actually make an appearance in the film, met with producing studio Lucasfilm over prospective tax breaks.

And Kathleen Kennedy, Lucasfilm’s president, has now confirmed shooting will begin in Britain this year, ahead of the film’s slated release in 2015, and is likely to mean a significant boon for the British acting community.

Relief: British fans are delighted that the iconic Star Wars characters are returning to the UK (Picture: AFP/Getty)

‘We’ve devoted serious time and attention to revisiting the origins of Star Wars as inspiration for our process on the new movie, and I’m thrilled that returning to the UK for production and utilising the incredible talent there can be a part of that,’ she said.




Mr Osborne hailed the announcement as ‘great news for fans and our creative industries’.

‘It is clear evidence that our incentives are attracting the largest studios back to the UK,’ he continued. ‘I am personally committed to seeing more great films and television made in Britain.’

Take me to a galaxy far, far away: Is George Osborne set to appear in the next Star Wars? (Picture: PA)

Previous Star Wars movies have been filmed at a number of British studios including Elstree, Pinewood and Ealing.

Disney have purchased the rights to the franchise through the acquisition of Lucasfilm last October 2012, and announced soon afterwards there would be three new films in the next few years. The first will be directed by JJ Abrams.

The news has prompted bookmaker Ladbrokes to publish odds on Mr Osborne being drafted in for a cameo role in the new movie.

Unconfirmed reports suggest he could play the part of a high-ranking officer in the evil Empire…