'Star Wars 7' Plot, Cast Rumors: Ewan McGregor to Reprise Obi-Wan Kenobi as "Force Ghost"? / Summer or December 2015 Release Date?

Since George Lucas sold the Star Wars franchise to Disney for billions, and J.J. Abrams was confirmed as the next-generation director, the world can't stop salivating over Star Wars 7 plot and cast rumors.

The latest lead is that Ewan McGregor could be a major role in the upcoming take on the sci-fi epic. McGregor starred in the first three films of the second trilogy, winning fans over with his younger version of Jedi master Obi-Wan Kenobi.

The British actor told Digital Spy last year that he'd love to be a part of Star Wars 7 if the plot called for it. Speaking of plot, how does J.J. Abrams plan on resurrecting Obi-Wan from the dead. We know from the original Star Wars: A New Hope that Obi-Wan was slain by Darth Vader, his former protégé Anakin Skywalker.

Rumors indicate that Obi-Wan would return as a "force ghost," much like he and Yoda did in "Return of the Jedi."

In other casting news, Ian McDiarmid is rumored to be returning to the screen to reprise his perfectly evil Emperor Palpatine. Again Abrams runs into the same dead-end [yes, pun intended]. As we all know Darth Vader kills the emperor at the end of "Return of the Jedi." Will there be ghost Jedis and ghost Siths?

Original cast members Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher have all been attached to rumors that they'll reprise their iconic roles. John Williams has also been confirmed as composer.

Star Wars 7 is expected to have a summer 2015 release date.