One of the most exciting parts about Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the fact that composer John Williams will return to a Galaxy Far, Far Away to score the J.J. Abrams helmed movie. We’ve already got a sampling of that in the trailers for the highly anticipated release, but the full version won’t be heard until December.

While Star Wars: The Force Awakens will no doubt feature a new iconic soundtrack, Williams has revealed in an interview with Vanity Fair that many of his classic fan-favourite themes will be making a return.

“There are some scenes where we do make reference to earlier thematic pieces. We haven’t done it yet, but we’re planning to do it. It’s something that I think will seem very natural and right in the moments for which we’ve chosen to do these kinds of quotes. There aren’t many of them, but there are a few that I think are important and will seem very much a part of the fabric of the piece in a positive and constructive way.”

As for what it’s been like to work with Abrams compared to George Lucas, the composer added: “It’s actually very similar. My meetings with George had to do with spotting the film, selecting areas in which music would be played, and pretty much we agreed on all that. He always left me free to write the music. And J.J.’s done the same thing. We’ve had a few preliminary meetings, and I’ve played him some music at the piano, which he seemed to like very much. His latest instruction to me was, “Just do your thing.” Which is giving me a good sense of freedom, a good free swing at the ball. I don’t know how much you know of him, but he is a delightful person. He’s enormously impressive.” That’s quite the seal of approval for the filmmaker!

How much of a role Williams’ best known Star Wars work will play in Star Wars: The Force Awakens obviously remains to be seen, but the fact that they’ll be referenced at all is very exciting indeed.