Carrie Fisher's daughter to star as a young Princess Leia in 'Star Wars: Episode VII'

LONDON, July 1 (UPI) -- Billie Lourd has reportedly been cast in Star Wars: Episode VII.

The 21-year-old is an aspiring actress, and daughter to Star Wars original Carrie Fisher. She will portray a young Princess Leia in Episode VII flashback scenes, according to The Sun. Director J.J. Abrams is said to have chosen Lourd due to her likeness to her mother.

"Billie flew in to the U.K. to join her mother earlier this month," a source reports. "She will even have her hair tied up in Princess Leia-style buns. She's an aspiring actress and singer, so she grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Carrie backed the move, as she wanted somebody in her family to play her most famous role."

Filming on the seventh installment is currently underway in England. Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker have returned for the new movie, and are joined by John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Lupita Nyong'o and Max von Sydow. Ford broke his leg on set earlier in June and is still in recovery.

Star Wars: Episode VII is scheduled for a December 18, 2015 release.