After releasing a flurry of photos from the Abu Dhabi set of Star Wars: Episode VII on Monday, TMZ returns with something that will excite even the most jaded franchise fan: photos of the Millennium Falcon under construction at what's described as  "an uber-secret location in the U.K."

The gallery also includes shots of an unfinished X-wing fighter and what appears to be the same creature shown in the photos from Abu Dhabi, which is doubling as Tatooine.

While they're undoubtedly a welcome sight to many Star Wars fans, the images of the Millennium Falcon shouldn't come as a complete surprise: Rumors began circulating as early as December that a full-sized ship had been constructed off-site and then moved to Pinewood Studios. Although the TMZ article is written in the present tense, it's certainly possible (given the appearance of the pig-like creature) that these photos were taken weeks, if not months, ago.

Directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: Episode VII features franchise newcomers John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Lupita Nyong’o and Gwendoline Christie, joined by original stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker. The film opens Dec. 18, 2015.