As if there was any doubt, R2-D2 will definitely be making an appearance in J.J. Abrams upcoming sequel Star Wars: Episode VII.  Abrams’ production company Bad Robot recently teased an image of Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy standing alongside R2 in the Star Wars “workshop,” hinting at the droid’s appearance in the film, and now Variety has confirmed that R2 is in Episode VII.  Moreover, the two other men in the photo are Lee Towersey and Oliver Steeples, members of the creature effects team for Episode VII.  The two initially came into contact with Kennedy this summer in Germany, where they impressed her with the droids they built as part of the R2-D2 Builders Club.  When it came time to staff up the effects team for Episode VII, Kennedy put in a good word for the duo.

Production on Star Wars: Episode VII will begin next spring in anticipation of a December 18, 2015 release date, but we still don’t have any confirmed cast members.  That will likely change before Hollywood breaks for the holidays, so keep an eye out over the next month.