JJ Abrams, the director of Star Wars: Episode VII, at the movie set in Abu Dhabi. Lucasfilm Ltd / AP Photo
JJ Abrams, the director of Star Wars: Episode VII, at the movie set in Abu Dhabi. Lucasfilm Ltd / AP Photo

Business

Star Wars: Episode VII sets likely to be preserved on Abu Dhabi’s Saadiyat Island

The twofour54 chief executive Noura Al Kaabi has revealed that ways to preserve the Star Wars: Episode VII film sets built in Abu Dhabi are being explored.

Lucy Barnard

11 June, 2014

ABU DHABI // Even when the new Star Wars movie has gone to DVD, fans will have something to remember it by – in a museum in Abu Dhabi.
The media hub twofour54 is looking at ways to preserve the Star Wars: Episode VII film sets built for secret filming in the desert last month.
"We are storing them until we curate them with the support of our friends in the Cultural District," chief executive Noura Al Kaabi said on Wednesday. "We haven't finalised the location but it is likely to be Saadiyat."
The National reported last month that a "whole world" had been built in the Abu Dhabi desert, including "shuttle-like" spacecraft, a large tower, and some "fast buggies" powered by jet engines, and a blast crater has been created with explosives.
The film stars the lead trio from the original Star Wars trilogy – Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hammill.
Main filming is taking place at Pinewood Stdios in England. The film will be in cinemas in December next year.
Twofour54 is also talking to film companies such as Fox, Sony and Disney about bringing their productions to the capital, said Ms Al Kaabi, who is also a member of the FNC.
lbarnard@thenational.ae
Follow us on Twitter @Ind_Insights

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