STAR WARS: EPISODE VII Gets A Release Date

2015 has been shaping up to be quite the year for blockbuster films with Avengers: Age Of Ultron, Jurassic Park 4, aka Jurassic World and Batman Vs Superman all heading into theater and now it looks as if it is going to end with a bang as Lucasfilm has just announced a release date for the highly anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII – December 18, 2015.

Previously, James Cameron’s Avatar 3 has been touted as opening on an unspecified weekend that same month, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see that film move.

The date may come as a disappointment to some fans who were hoping that the film would be released on what had become the traditional day for a Star Wars film to open, the Wednesday before Memorial Day. But given the fact that director J J Abrams has stated that he was concerned with the mandated time frame from Disney that the film needed to be released in 2015. This December date gives Abrams just about the maximum amount of time he has to finish the film. Earlier this week, Abrams stated that it was time crunch concerns that led him to the take over of the writing chores with Lawrence kasdan from Michael Arndt that was announced last month.

Here is the complete text of the announcement that appeared on StarWars.com earlier today –

With pre-production in full-swing, a confirmed release date of December 18, 2015, has been set for Lucasfilm’s highly anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII.

“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,” said Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios.

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.