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The first standalone Star Wars film will shoot in the UK, chancellor George Osborne has announced.

The movie, to be directed by Godzilla's Gareth Edwards, will film at Pinewood Studios next year, which is the same location currently being used by JJ Abrams's Star Wars: Episode VII.

Osborne, who visited the set on Tuesday (June 10), tweeted: "With #StarWars director J.J Abrams and Lucasfilm president Kathy Kennedy, talking to a key cast member..."

He also said in a statement: "Lucasfilm and Disney's decision to shoot the Star Wars standalone movie in the UK is testament to the incredible talent in Britain.

"This will mean more jobs and more investment. It is great news for people working at Pinewood Studios, from the set designers to the carpenters.

"As Chancellor I have been determined that we back our brilliant creative industries which is why we have invested in skills and training as well as providing tax relief for films, high-end TV, animation, video games and regional theatre.

"The further changes the government made to the film tax relief at Budget 2014 will support our highly skilled, innovative creative sectors so that they continue to thrive and encourage more films to be made in the UK."

The first standalone Star Wars film will release on December 16, 2016, a year after Star Wars: Episode VII opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.

Director Edwards will partner with screenwriter Gary Whitta (After Earth, The Book of Eli) on the upcoming spinoff, but the plot of the film is yet to be revealed.

Source: Digital Spy by Jack Klompus