The cast of Star Wars: Episode VII was announced on Monday and will feature the original actors - Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill. The cast will also include Andy Serkis, Max von Sydow and newcomers - Domhnall Gleeson , John Boyega and Daisy Ridley.

The shooting of the flick will take off at Pinewood Studios in May. The roles of  C-3PO, Chewbacca and R2-D2 will be safe with the veterans Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker respectively. A photograph of the cast was posted on starwars.com.

Star Wars director J J Abrahams said it was a special feeling to reunite the original cast and promised 'thrilling and surreal' moments to fans. "We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud." J J said. Newcomers Domhnall Gleeson, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega are British and have featured in British films.

The British actors were filtered from open auditions held in UK and Ireland last November.Starwars.com also posted a picture of R2-D2 assuring that he will be joining the main cast on Episode VII. Episode VII is the fifth Star Wars movie to be shot in the UK.

The UK government had earlier assured full support for the cast in London. The first of the Star Wars trilogy was shot at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire. The film is expected to hit screens on 18 December 2015.