Disney Has Big ‘Star Wars’ Plans at D23 Expo

George Lucas previously has said that Disney wants to announce the return of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher to 'Star Wars: Episode 7' with "some big whoop-dee-doo." With no 'Star Wars' panel on the schedule at Comic-Con 2013, that leaves Disney's D23 Expo as the likely landing spot for the major 'Star Wars: Episode 7' announcement. And now, Disney has announced their 'Star Wars' plans for D23 and there is a LOT going on.

While 'Star Wars: Episode 7' is never mentioned by name, Disney officially revealed their D23 'Star Wars' plans and it's hard to think they won't have a big surprise for all the 'Star Wars' fans in attendance. Here is what has been formally announced so far, with the headline, "Celebrating Disney, Marvel and Star Wars!"

Star Wars at D23 Expo! – For the first time at the D23 Expo, Star Wars fans can have access to experiences created for them by Lucasfilm and Disney. Darth Vader: The Evolution of a Villain, located in the DCP pavilion, showcases the development of the iconic villain from early concepts to striking realization. Crash Course in the Force: Star Wars Saga 101, presented by Lucasfilm’s resident authority Pablo Hidalgo in Stage 23, will give Star Wars newbies and experts alike a thorough grounding in all matters of the Force and the Star Wars legacy.

There will be plenty to do at D23 for 'Star Wars' fans and while there's no official announcement on who from 'Episode 7' will be in attendance, you can be that there will never be an official announcement and Disney/Lucasfilm want to surprise the assembled crowd with the cast of the original trilogy (and now, 'Star Wars: Episode 7').

With no presence at Comic-Con and a major presence at D23, it's clear which major summer fan convention Disney is staking their claim to. Though Disney is bringing Marvel to Comic-Con, there are no additional Disney films being shown at Comic-Con as the studio focuses 'Frozen,' 'Muppets 2' and Pixar at D23.

What kind of announcement would you like to see from Disney and Lucasfilm at D23 besides the casting that we all pretty much know about anyway? Do you think J.J. Abrams will announce any new cast members?