This isn’t the big casting announcement most fans were expecting this late in the game, but Star Wars: Episode VII finally has a release date. The film, led by Kathleen Kennedy and J.J. Abrams, will hit theatres on December 18, 2015, just in time for the holidays. Rumors swirled recently that Disney was pressing forward with a summer release regardless of how far along the film was, but it appears that cooler heads prevailed.
With that decision made, pre-production should be in full-swing soon. Chairman of Walt Disney Studios, Alan Horn had this to say, “We’re very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture.”
Star Wars: Episode VII will be directed by J. J. Abrams (Super 8, Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek) and is being scripted by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi). Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, with Tommy Harper (Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, Jack Ryan, Star Trek Into Darkness) and Jason McGatlin (Tintin, War of the Worlds) serving as executive producers. John Williams is returning to score Star Wars: Episode VII.
Shooting is scheduled to begin spring 2014 at Pinewood Studios.
Source: StarWars.com
