Is the next Star Wars movie being filmed in the Middle East?

If rumours are to be believed, filming for the highly anticipated new Star Wars movie has already begun – and it is taking place in none other than this region.

According to a story by Stars Wars news site, Jedi News, a solid source has confirmed that Star Wars Episode VII is already shooting in Cairo.

“We can only classify this as a rumour at this point (given what has been officially announced already), but a solid source has told Jedi News that Episode VII is already filming in Cairo,” the article read. “Our source also relayed to us that filming is expected to be take place at some point in Abu Dhabi, though no further details were provided on that location.”

Bad Robot – J.J. Abrams' production company, which is overseeing the production of Episode VII – filmed Tom Cruise’s fourth Mission Impossible film, Ghost Protocol in the UAE, so it kind of makes sense that he could return to the country.

Meanwhile, in a recent interview, Disney chairman Alan Horn let it slip that some of the cast was still being chosen. However, according to Variety, Girls actor Adam Driver is in talks to play the villain. Other actors being considered for the lead role include Ed Speleers, John Boyega, Jesse Plemons, Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher.

Star Wars: Episode VII is set to hit theatres in December 2015.