J.J. Abrams, 'Star Wars' UPDATE: Director Not Happy to Be Shooting in London, 'Makes Me Insane'

The newest addition to the Star Wars film franchise is set to begin filming in London, and new director J.J. Abrams isn't necessarily happy about it. 

Abrams, who recently finished shooting "Star Trek: Into Darkness," has shot all of his previous films in his home city of Los Angeles. Still, the director will make the move to the U.K. at the end of the year. He aired some of his gripes at the Produced By conference in L.A., saying that the move "really does make me insane" and citing his children's disapproval. 

It won't be the first time that the sci-fi series has worked abroad. At least some portion of the previous six films has been shot in England. Abrams might not be happy with the decision, but he acknowledged that the tradition is significant to the series' die hard fan base. 

"It is so massive and so important to people," the director said. "I think the key to moving forward on something like this is honoring but not revering what came before."

Abrams first film for the franchise, "Star Wars: Episode VII," is currently slated for release in 2015. Two sequels are already planned for 2017 and 2019, although it is not guaranteed that Abrams will helm the latter two. Disney, the current owner of the Star Wars franchise, is also hoping to branch off from the series with spinoffs that focus on popular characters such as Yoda and Boba Fett. 

The new films will take place following the conclusion of "Return of The Jedi," the last of original three films shot during the '80s. Three films set before the original trilogy were released beginning in the late '90s. 

Disney bought Lucasfilm Ltd., the company behind Star Wars and Indiana Jones, from owner George Lucas for $4.05 billion in 2012.