“Star Wars VII” Release Date Revealed

The force will be even stronger in "Star Wars" fans when the highly-anticipated seventh movie installment of the blockbuster sci-fi franchise lands in theaters just in time for the 2015 holidays.

Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Studios announced Thursday that "Star Wars: Episode VII" will open on Dec. 18, 2015.

“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 Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn in a statement.

Horn's mention of the time needed to "deliver a sensational picture" alludes to rumors that the movie would be pushed back to 2016 due to recent scriptwriter changes.

On Oct. 24, it was announced that scribe Michael Arndt had exited a galaxy far, far away with "Episode VII" director J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (co-writer of "The Empire Strikes Back," "Return of the Jedi" and "Raiders of the Lost Ark") assuming scripting duties. That swap had chat rooms and fanboys questioning whether or not the movie would be ready in time for a 2015 release. Shooting is scheduled to start in the spring of 2014.

Originally slated to open in May of 2015, "Star Wars: Episode VII" jumps to the December birth vacated by the George Clooney sci-fi adventure "Tomorrowland," also a Disney property. "Tomorrowland," directed by Brad Bird ("The Incredibles"), will now open May 22, 2015, the date formerly earmarked for "VII."

Contact Us