Could this be the Star Wars: Episode VII plot?

The inevitable seems to have happened. And whether a rumour or true, Star Wars: Episode VII director J J Abrams' cat is out of the bag, or so it seems. The closely guarded plot of the next instalment in the much awaited Star Wars series has reportedly been leaked on Badass Digest. This is not an official announcement, of course, but gives fans something to ponder and debate on forums until the movie releases in December, next year.

The film begins with the opening crawl, the camera panning up to reveal Luke Skywalker’s severed hand, holding the lightsaber that Obi-Wan gave him. The lightsaber is found by Daisy Ridley’s character and that played by John Boyega, perhaps a Stormtrooper who has strayed from his unit.

The two get-together with Han Solo and Chewbacca, who recognise the Jedi relic and informs them that they haven't met the owner since the events of Return of the Jedi. Also, on the ice planet, someone is building a new and more powerful super-weapon.

There isn’t much of a spoiler up there, but we know how testy fans can get about the smallest revelation.

Star Wars: Episode VII is slated for release on December 18, 2015. The movie's long list of star cast includes, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Max Von Sydow and Lupita Nyong'o.

aahmed@thenational.ae