George Lucas reveals that "Star Wars VII" will reunite original stars

Director George Lucas directs actor Anthony Daniels, who plays the robot C-3PO, in "Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones," on location in the Tunisian desert. / AP/Lucasfilm Ltd.

"Star Wars" creator George Lucas spilled the news that the films' original, iconic stars Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher "have already signed" on to return to "Star Wars: Episode VII," due out in 2015.

Lucas revealed that the cast negotiations took place before Disney bought LucasFilm in December.

"We had already signed Mark, Carrie and Harrison -- or we were pretty much in the final stages of negotiation. So I called them to say, 'Look, this is what's going on,'" Lucas said in an interview with Bloomberg Businessweek.

"Maybe I'm not supposed to say that. I think they want to announce that with some big whoop-de-do, but we were negotiating with them," he said before hedging, "I won't say whether negotiations were successful or not."

But from his statements, it seems pretty safe to say that Fisher will reprise her role as Princess Leia (which she already hinted at on Tuesday), Hamill will return as Luke Skywalker, and Ford will come back as Han Solo. The actors originated these pop-culture staples in the first "Star Wars" in 1977, and continued until "Return of the Jedi" in 1983.

J.J. Abrams is set to direct "Episode VII."

Tell us: Are you excited for the original cast to appear in the new "Star Wars" movie?

[biolynx49]

This should be interesting. 35 years after the fact, Han and Leia are married and parents to 3 children, who are Jedi and one grandchild. Leia, herself, is a Jedi. Luke has a son, Ben, who is also a Jedi, in his own right. It would be interesting to bring this family dynamic into the mix and would make sense.

[RedDeath50]

So, the question becomes, now with Darth Vader out of the way, will the gang be up against the most formidable enemy they have ever encountered.... Darth Ritis??

[PSOPO]

Ah CBS, This is not confirmed news. It is likely news, but this has not been confirmed by press releases either from Disney or Lucasfilm. This news is a bit premature. I would love if the originals do return, but please wait for an offical press release.

[esnation]

Grow up. get a job, move out of your mothers basement...

[cntrygirl3]

I have no idea what Mark Hamil looks like now. Harrison Ford (one of my favorite actors) was really the only one that went on to have a real career. It would certainly be worth seeing I guess, but I have never really forgiven George Lucas for making "Return of the Jedi" instead of "Revenge of the Jedi" like he was going to. Princess Lea would have made a great Jedi and a serious story with some tough dialogue would have been much more fitting to the series than furry muppets as one put it.

[Scimajor]

I bet Carrie doesn't wear the slave costume this time. :-)

No worries Carrie, I'm sure you'll still look great on the big screen.

[akibeel]

Are Anthony Daniels (C3PO) and Kenny Baker (R2D2) going to be in the movie as well?

Looking forward to long theater lines for this movie like there were in the '70's & early '80's!

[HM8432]

Finally, a 'Star Wars' sequel that may be worth watching. However, I'm sure it will be tainted by stilted dialogue, small, furry muppets, and computer animated racial-stereotype characters that contribute nothing meaningful to the plot.

[NeoGraphix00]

Can't wait to see how many times Abrams uses his blue filter on the camera to ruin a scene and the movie.

[Stortmeister13]

Can't Wait!