As we move closer (slowly but surely) towards an eventual production start-date for Star Wars: Episode VII, director J.J. Abrams is working to build up his crew for the highly anticipated sequel.  We already know that Abrams’ Star Trek costume designer Michael Kaplan is crafting the film’s costumes, and John Williams is onboard to provide the score.  Now Star Trek cinematographer Dan Mindel has apparently revealed that he will be shooting Episode VII—on 35mm film, no less.  Hit the jump for more.

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The folks over at BobaFettFanClub.com (via The Film Stage) are reporting that news of Mindel’s involvement was announced earlier today at an industry event in Los Angeles.  Mindel also served as the cinematographer on both of Abrams’ Star Trek films and Mission: Impossible III, but before you start crying foul over lens flares, I’d say it’s safe to assume that Abrams and Mindel are developing a wholly different look for the Star Wars universe.  Abrams is very much aware of the fact that he will be directing films in two of the biggest sci-fi franchise of all time, and it's reasonable to assume that he’d like to distinguish the two properties as much as possible.

More exciting, though, is the news that Abrams and Mindel will be shooting Episode VII on film.  George Lucas famously switched to digital for Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith, and the result was less than aesthetically pleasing.  Digital has come a long way in the ensuing years, but this decision is yet another signal that Abrams is trying to bring the series back to the roots of the original trilogy.  As development continues, expect to hear more cast and crew announcements in the coming months.  Star Wars: Episode VII is expected to be released in 2015.

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