Bad Robot, director J.J. Abrams’ production company, has tweeted the first behind-the-scenes photo from the Star Wars production, and it displays a character that had not previously been confirmed for the film.  R2-D2 and C-3PO were the only two characters to appear in all six Star Wars films to date (discounting the duel persona of Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi in ghost as well as corporeal form), and this appears to be visual confirmation that at least the short member of the pair, R2-D2, will appear in Star Wars VII, currently casting. 

Posing with R2-D2 here are Abrams, left, and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, right.

Star Wars VII has been given a December 18, 2015 release date (see "'Star Wars VII' in December 2015"); Abrams and Star Wars veteran Lawrence Kasdan are now writing the script (see "Kasdan, Abrams Take over 'Star Wars VII' Writing").