Harrison Ford injury to halt Star Wars production for two weeks

NEW YORK - Actor Harrison Ford is recuperating from surgery after breaking his leg, but the injury on the set of Star Wars: Episode VII will force a two-week hiatus in filming, the Walt Disney Studios said.

News of the stoppage comes after Disney initially said filming would continue on schedule while Ford recovered. But shooting is on track to wrap up in the fall, the studio said, and the release date remains December 2015.

"In August, the team will take a brief two-week hiatus while adjustments to the current production schedule are made as actor Harrison Ford recovers from a leg injury," Disney said in a statement posted on Sunday on the website StarWars.com.

Ford, 71, was injured on the set of the reboot of George Lucas' blockbuster Star Wars franchise last month during filming in England.

The best actor Oscar-nominee for his role in Witness in 1986 is reprising his role as Han Solo in the film that is being directed by J.J. Abrams.

Actress Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill will also reprise their roles in the film and will be joined by Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac.