It’s official! How official? Well, it’s on the official Star Wars webpage, and you don’t get more official than that. Episode VII, the next installment of the “Star Wars” saga will hit theaters on December 18, 2015.
I know many of us expected a May release date, since that’s the pattern that began with the 1977 release of “Star Wars,” but it’s a new era, and that means change.
From the official site:
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.
What do you think? Happy holidays to us in 2015? Or were you hoping to spend Memorial Day weekend at the theater?
And are you disappointed this may mean an even longer wait until Episode VII? Stay tuned. As usual, we will keep you informed on all the up-to-date “Star Wars” news.