It’s fitting that quite possibly the biggest film of this decade may be partially filmed using the largest cameras available.  Director J.J. Abrams is currently knee-deep in prep for Star Wars: Episode VII, and having now assembled his cinematographer, costume designer, and composer, he is moving on to the particulars of the shoot.  We know that Episode VII will be largely shot on soundstages in London, and we previously learned that Abrams plans on using 35mm film instead of digital to capture the images.  Now it appears that Abrams might be mixing things up in the camera department by filming certain scenes with IMAX cameras.  Hit the jump for more.

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Image via Paramount

The folks over at AICN found this bit of info that was gleaned from IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond recently at a Goldman Sachs conference:

“We are talking to J.J. Abrams test now about the next Star Wars being used with partly IMAX cameras.”

The word “test” is most likely supposed to mean “team,” but this isn’t an altogether surprising bit of info.  Abrams first used IMAX cameras on Star Trek Into Darkness, filming certain sequences of the sci-fi sequel in the large-screen format.  Christopher Nolan has made heavy use of IMAX as of late, and it really is the most pristine way to showcase a large-scale film.  By shooting portions of Star Wars: Episode VII in IMAX, not only will fans get the chance to experience the sequel in the largest format possible, but it also provides Disney with an opportunity to reap the benefits of the more costly ticket prices.  Is it too much to hope that this dissuades the studio from post-converting the film to 3D?

Again, none of this has been confirmed, but I’d frankly be surprised if Abrams passed on the opportunity to use IMAX cameras on at least some of Episode VII.  Production begins early next year ahead of a planned 2015 release.

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