Damon Lindelof has had success in television — as co-creator of “Lost,” producer of “Crossing Jordan” and writer for “Nash Bridges” — and in film, including co-writing Ridley Scott’s “Prometheus.” So he knows a thing or two about what makes a hit, and he says in an interview with Rolling Stone that Disney’s recently announced “Star Wars Episode VII,” planned for release in 2015, has the makings of perhaps the biggest hit ever.

“I can say this with 100 percent confidence three years out,” Lindelof told the magazine, “the biggest event movie in the history of modern cinema. The level of excitement and anticipation about ‘Episode VII’ is going to be double what it was for ‘Episode I.’”

Lindelof, who also produced the 2009 “Star Trek” reboot, is familiar with the big-screen sci-fi terrain. But when it comes to the prospect of a “Star Wars” sequel, he’s basically just another fan.

“My first knee-jerk reaction was just a tremendous level of excitement and enthusiasm,” he said. “I really believed that I would not see another ‘Star Wars’ movie as long as George Lucas was still alive. You know, he’s a pretty hale and hearty guy, so that’s a long time from now. I had totally written off the idea of ever seeing a ‘Star Wars’ movie with my 6-year-old son. So for that to all change in the space of five seconds, where suddenly two summers from now that’s gonna happen — it’s just about the most awesome thing ever.”

He also offered a suggestion about casting. “My feeling is that they have to bring back the original actors,” he said. “How can you express that these movies take place after the original trilogy unless some of those characters are in it? I don’t feel that they have to be at the epicenter of the drama, and I definitely think they should introduce new characters. People don’t want to hear the same songs over and over again, but if you see the Rolling Stones, they better do ‘Satisfaction’ as an encore.”