Star Wars sequel to return to Yavin 4?

A tantalising snippet of a possible plot for the first 'Star Wars' sequel may have been inadvertently revealed in an article about Mayan ruins.

Yesterday, Yahoo! UK Movies flagged up a report that had emerged from news service Reuters on the city of Tikal in Guatemala, which was used as the location for the Rebel base on the moon Yavin 4 in the first 'Star Wars' movie.

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The city has towering temples which poke out of the forest canopy, and served as the launch site for X-Wing fighters as they take on the Death Star in the film's finale.

But in the piece, which talks about fans still flocking to the city today, a possible hint of plot for the forthcoming sequel is revealed.

“Yavin 4 and the rebel base return to the Star Wars plot in the forthcoming Episode VII, announced in October by the Walt Disney Co, in which Skywalker comes back to the planet to build a Jedi Knight academy,” it reads. “However, fans said that Disney will likely film those scenes in a studio rather than return to Tikal.”

The original article has now been amended, with the 'Star Wars VII' reference removed, adding that it is 'not yet confirmed'.

But the snippet would tally with events which occur in the spin-off 'Jedi Academy Trilogy' of novels, written by Kevin J. Anderson.

It's thought that the novels surrounding the films could provide possible plots for the three forthcoming sequels.

Disney has so far remained tight-lipped on the rumour, but the possibility has got 'Star Wars' fans chattering online about whether or not they approve of the mooted plot.

“I know Lucas apparently did some swapping of notes with Kevin J. Anderson for the 'Jedi Academy Trilogy' so its inclusion is fairly likely, though I think most of the interior shots for Yavin IV were on a sound stage, so they might just do shooting exteriors there,” said Stellarmagic01 on the message board at fansite The Force.

Trask Ulgo added: “Yavin IV would be a good choice because it would please us diehards, as well as make the casual fan go, 'Where have I heard the name Yavin from?'”

“I think this would be terrific. I am envisioning the Jedi training somewhere in slight seclusion,” said Julius Vernon.

Whether the familiar location is a good move for the production or not, most fans appear to be unanimous on one factor: that such rumours are to be taken with a pinch of salt at this early stage.

But it's the first speculation emerging in some weeks, following the official appointment of 'Toy Story 3' scribe Michael Arndt as the film's screenwriter.

There's still no director appointed yet, despite rumours that it could be 'Kick-Ass' helmsman Matthew Vaughn.