Much to everyone’s disappointment, D23 Expo attendees and Star Wars fans were disappointed to hear nothing about the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII from Disney Chief Alan Horn. The exec reiterated information that we already knew, that J.J. Abrams is directing, that Michael Arndt is writing, and that John Williams will be conducting. So since the studio didn’t take the opportunity to make any announcements on their own stage, fans will have to be patient and wait it out.

In the mean time, some juicy gossip regarding who may be returning for Episode VII has been rumored. If true, it could mean that Emperor Palpatine (played by Ian McDiarmid) could rise up and stir up some trouble within the force.

Attendees at today’s D23 Expo in Anaheim, CA, were shocked and disappointed to discover that Disney and Lucasfilm had no new details to share regarding their highly anticipated Star Wars sequel, Star Wars: Episode VII (hence, I’m sorry to have to pass this disappointment on to you, dear readers).

The lengthy live-action presentation today at the main hall of the Expo, which included panels for other properties like Marvel’s Thor: The Dark World and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Disney’s Maleficent, began this morning with the Lucasfilm panel. Immediately, it was announced that there were no additional details to be revealed on the forthcoming seventh episode of the franchise, apparently getting that bummer out of the way early. (I suspect Lucasfilm would have concluded the day’s presentation had breaking news been planned.)

Just when you thought the Star Wars: Episode VII rumor mill is stopped in its tracks, a new one pops up and continues the grind. Although it may not be about any of the cast members returning to reprise their respective roles. This time the rumor is about new talent joining the cast, and they are some pretty big A-list names to say the least.

While filming has yet to begin, there are rumors that Zac Efron and Ryan Gosling are in talks to join the cast of the highly anticipated film.

In a recent posting at ET online, Mark Hamill has disclosed that Disney and Lucasfilm officials have been talking to him and other key personnel from the original Star Wars about being cast in Star Wars: Episode VII, the upcoming first chapter in the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy. This may be a "well, duh" and/or "thanks for the report, Captain Obvious" for some of you – but as far as I know, this is the first time Hamill’s mentioned any official talks about casting.

In a discussion while promoting his new film, Sushi Girl (which actually looks rather cool in a Grindhouse sort of way), Hamill was asked about the status of casting for Episode VII.

This has been a week of Star Wars rumors as multiple stories have lit the ‘net on fire in relation to the standalone movies Disney plans to make apart from the numbered sequels.

It began with whispers of a possible standalone movie focusing on the popular character Yoda. Disney CEO Bob Iger then confirmed that they would be making standalone movies based on various Star Wars characters, with none being named specifically. Finally came word of potential movies following a both Boba Fett and a younger Han Solo.

Now Disney is taking a big step back and wants said ‘net to take a nice deep breath while they clarify a bit on what’s really going on.