R2-D2 Confirmed for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII

R2-D2 will officially be back for STAR WARS: EPISODE VII.

Disney confirmed today in a blog post that D2 "will indeed be in the film" as the first returning character in J.J. Abrams' return to the franchise, due in theaters Dec. 18, 2015. Rumors first arose when Abrams debuted a behind-the-scenes shot of the film (to the left), featuring the beloved staple of the series.

The pair between Abrams and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy have been revealed as Lee Towersey and Oliver Steeples, two STAR WARS fans who "create fully functioning, film-accurate astromech droids like the R2-D2 seen in the photo, and they're officially part of the Creature Effects team for Star Wars: Episode VII."

Click here to read the entire blog post, featuring details on Towersey and Steeples' involvement with the film.

Star Wars: Episode VII will be directed by Abrams and is being scripted by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi). Lucasfilm president Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, with Tommy Harper (Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol, Jack Ryan, Star Trek Into Darkness) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin, War of the Worlds) serving as executive producers. John Williams is returning to score Star Wars: Episode VII.