Harrison Ford could take up to 8 weeks to return to set of Star Wars Episode VII

is expected to take up to eight weeks to recover after

The 71-year-old actor who plays Han Solo in the iconic franchise is however hoping to soon announce "good news" to his waiting fans.

© Photo: Getty Images

Harrison Ford in 2013

Harrison was filming the seventh

in the franchise at Pinewood Studios when a hydraulic door fell on him. He was airlifted to hospital after medics on the scene assessed him.

Speaking to

, a publicist for the film revealed that they were "hoping to announce some good news soon", but it is still thought it could take several weeks for Harrison to be back to full health.

© Photo: Getty Images

Harrison Ford and his wife Calista Flockhart

A source told

"The initial day or two after the accident it was hard to move things around but now we have had more time we can juggle things, bring some scenes forward and push others back. There are lots of other actors in the movie so it is not a disaster. We are still confident the film can stay on schedule."They continued:

but the main priority is making sure he is okay."In a statement,

said: "Harrison Ford sustained an ankle injury during filming today on the set of

. He was taken to a local hospital and is receiving care. Shooting will continue as planned while recuperates."

The cast of Star Wars Episode VII

Joining Harrison in the

film, the first since 2005, are his original co-stars

and

. The trio became household names after the

Other actors joining the original three include

,

actor

, and British actor

and

will also

. Earlier in June