Exclusive: Star Wars: Episode 7, Indiana Jones 5 update

Appreciating that there's no shortage of Star Wars: Episode 7 rumors doing the rounds, we've elected not to run the majority of them for reasons of, well, they don't sound too accurate. Likewise, we've been contacted by lots of people who claim to have insider scoops on what's going on, that we haven't run for similar reasons.

This one, however, seems to have more substance to it. It's come from a good, reliable source, and whilst it's still a rumour until all of this is confirmed, we're passing this one on because from what we can tell, there's something to this one.

There's been a security clampdown in the prop shop at Pinewood Studios, but we now understand that work is afoot on building a full scale Millennium Falcon there. Furthermore, model makers are also building lightsaber hilts. This would tie into reports that the emphasis is going to be on practical, rather than computer effects wherever possible with future Star Wars films.

Also, we now understand that model makers on the Star Wars: Episode 7 project are being recruited on up to seven year contracts, which cover three sequels and three spin-offs.

There's one more thing too, and we went back to double check this point with our source. The planning office is listing which stages are booked in advance, and for what film. Listed on those plans - before Christmas at least - was Indiana Jones 5.

To address the Indiana Jones point specifically: work on that has been mooted as a possible job as part of those long-term contracts. It's very much being described as a "possible lead in to another Indy", but nothing more than that.

Just because space has been booked well in advance doesn't mean that the film will happen of course. Still, we've sat on this information since before Christmas, and it would at least tie into what Alan Horn of Disney said in December, that the next Indiana Jones film - to which Disney now holds full rights - is many years off. It would make sense to include it as part of a bulk LucasFilm booking at Pinewood (considering the firm's commitment to and investment in UK facilities), just to be on the safe side (and it'd bring the rate down, we'd imagine).

Thus, six Star Wars films there seems definite (and ties into ILM opening a facility in London, as was reported last week), with Indiana Jones a possibility as part of the LucasFilm investment in the UK.

Regular readers will know we rarely break stories like this, because we do like to tread carefully. All of this may yet be disproved, but it's information we've received and passed on in good faith. More as we get it.