Star Wars 7: JJ Abrams shares photo from first day of filming

Director teases sand-dusted clapper board

The thrusters are now fully in motion on Star Wars: Episode VII

Star Wars Episode 7 filming got underway today with director JJ Abrams sharing a photo from the set on Twitter, but don't expect any wide vistas of Tatooine, all we got was the classic shot of a clapper board.

The picture didn't give away much, though the dusting of sand on it appears to confirm initial scenes are being shot in Abu Dhabi.

Fans went deeper of course, musing on what the 'N6' choice of filter might mean, with Twitter user Joseph Kahn positing: "My read on STAR WARS 7 slate: ND 6 bringing down two stops to a 5.6 stop. Probably long anamorphic lens on close up."

The start of production follows the announcement of the cast for the sequel last month, which made Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and more household names overnight.

Read more: Order of the Jedi? Debunking the Star Wars 7 rumours

The Episode VII cast during a read-through at Pinewood Studios. (clockwise from top center right) Writer/Director/Producer J.J Abrams, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew, Producer Bryan Burk, Lucasfilm President and Producer Kathleen Kennedy, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Mark Hamill, Andy Serkis, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Adam Driver and writer Lawrence Kasdan

With the script finished following re-draft the wheels are now well and truly in motion, with Isaac telling Radio 4 last week: "The whole process is under way. We're shooting in the studios here in London."

Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill will reprise their roles in the movie, leading to much speculation around its plot, chiefly that it may revolve around Han and Leia's children.

Star Wars: Episode VII has a scheduled release date of 18 December, 2015.