Abu Dhabi firm: ‘Star Wars’ shoot has begun

“Star Wars”creator George Lucas poses with characters from the movies “Star Wars” during the opening ceremony of the “Sandcrawler” building, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014 in Singapore. AP FILE PHOTO

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—The United Arab Emirates is finally acknowledging it is standing in for one corner of George Lucas’ galaxy far, far away.

Abu Dhabi’s government-backed twofour54 media hub said Wednesday that the next installment of “Star Wars” is currently filming in the Middle Eastern emirate. It was the first official word from the Gulf nation that filming had begun.

Emirati officials previously had refused to confirm or comment on filming.

Speculation has been high about the shoot since government-backed UAE daily newspaper The National reported last month on apparent preparations for the filming deep in the desert. The paper later reported that the police and army had been deployed around the site to keep onlookers away.

Disney’s “Star Wars: Episode VII” film is being directed by J.J. Abrams.

Originally posted: May 21, 2014 | 9:50 pm

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