Ewan McGregor is rumoured to return to Star Wars: Episode VII, as a Force Ghost.

Sources told the Los Angeles Times' Latino Review blog that the Scottish star, who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in the newer Star Wars films, would be making his comeback in a spectral form in the upcoming sequel trilogy, beginning with JJ Abrams' Episode VII.

Ewan's character was seen as a ghostly appearance in the original trilogy in his older incarnation, played by Sir Alec Guinness.

The insider revealed that Emperor Palpatine would also make a ghostly cameo, as he comes back to help motivate a new Sith apprentice.

The sources also claimed that Ewan would like his own stand-alone films, although this is still up in the air.

Ewan, who will next star in ensemble drama August: Osage County, has previously said he would be up for a return to the Star Wars world.

He told Digital Spy in 2012: "I guess, yeah, of course. If they need me, yeah, I'd be happy to."

The franchise's original stars - Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill - are reported to be returning, with the trio said to have been in talks.

Production on the seventh film in the series is scheduled to start in the UK in 2014.

Source: Press Release