STAR WARS The Force Awakens December 18, 2015

Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces to bring us back again to a galaxy far, far away as STAR WARS returns to the big screen with STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS.  Episode VII will re-unite the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker and introduces new characters played by John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow.  John Williams also returns to score STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS.  This post will contain all the official news, images, and trailers for STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS opening December 18, 2015, continue reading for more details.

Update December 20, 2015

The Walt Disney Studios announced today that STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS has set a new all-time domestic debut record with an estimated $238M. With a five-day international debut of $279M, the film has taken in $517M globally.

“Our sole focus has been creating a film that delivers that one-of-a-kind Star Wars experience, and director J.J. Abrams, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, and the Lucasfilm team have outdone themselves,” said Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “To all of the fans around the world who not only came out in Force to make this such an exciting and astronomical debut but who treated this film as their own and helped preserve the experience for their fellow fans by not spoiling it – thank you, we do.”

HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 14:  Actor Harrison Ford (L) and director J.J. Abrams attend the after party for the World Premiere of ?Star Wars: The Force Awakens? on Hollywood Blvd on December 14, 2015 in Hollywood, California.  (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Harrison Ford; J.J. Abrams

HOLLYWOOD, CA - DECEMBER 14: Actor Harrison Ford (L) and director J.J. Abrams attend the after party for the World Premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on Hollywood Blvd on December 14, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)

 

En route to this galactic launch, the film has smashed several all-time domestic box office records, including:

  • Biggest Thursday preview gross with $57M.
  • Biggest Friday and biggest single-day gross with $120.5M.
  • First film ever to post a single day over $100M.
  • Fastest film to $100M and $200M.
  • Biggest December debut (nearly 3 times previous record of $84.6M).
  • Biggest IMAX Thursday night preview ($5.7M), single-day ($14M, Friday), and weekend ($30.1M).
  • Highest theater average for a wide release ($57,568). 

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS debuted day-and-date internationally in nearly every market (except Greece and India, which open Dec. 24, and China, which opens Jan. 9) and set records in many. Highlights:

  • Biggest opening weekend of all time in UK (4-day), Australia, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Austria, Poland (3-day), Denmark (5-day), Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Serbia, New Zealand. Second biggest opening weekend in France, Belgium, Israel, Chile.
  • Biggest IMAX global debut of $48M.

The Force is strong with critics and audiences, whose enthusiastic reactions have powered a 95% Rotten Tomatoes score and an excellent A CinemaScore, with an A+ among women and younger audiences, for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.

Update December 16, 2015

Search your feelings… you KNOW we would never spoil STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.  Click here for our 100% spoiler-free movie review.

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Update December 11, 2015

Character poster released for Poe Dameron - “stay on target!”

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

Update December 5, 2015

The Star Wars activity pack you’ve been looking for… 22 pages of coloring sheets, mazes, door hangers, matching game, and more.  Click on the link below to download the activity pack in a separate tab, but be patient, the file is very large and may take a little time to load.  May the Force be with you!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Activity Pack

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Activity Pack

Update November 4, 2015

Set of five character posters released for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.

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Update October 19, 2015

The final STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS trailer was released and it’s spectacular.  Take a look (or watch again).  Tickets for the film are on sale now.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Rey (Daisy Ridley) © 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens © 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. TM. All Rights Reserved.

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens © 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. TM. All Rights Reserved.

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L to R: Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) © 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

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Finn (John Boyega) © 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens © 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

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BB-8 © 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

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Finn (John Boyega) © 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All Rights Reserved.

 

Update October 18, 2015

Two months ahead of the release of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS we have the final, official poster (click on the image for the larger version).  The final trailer debuts tomorrow, October 19, 2015 during halftime of Monday Night Football.  Following the trailer launch, tickets to the highly go on sale for the film.  Finally, StarWars.com announced The Star Wars Marathon Event showing all 7 Star Wars episodes on December 17th.  Click here for details and participating theaters.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

In the StarWars.com post, the describe a special after-hours party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  The Opening Night Event at Walt Disney World will take place on December 17, where participants will be among the first to see the new film at AMC Disney Springs 24 and then celebrate together at a private after-hours party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Tickets are available online only at AMCtheatres.com/StarWarsWDW.

Update September 23, 2015

Take a 360 degree look around the Jakku desert from STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.

Speed across the Jakku desert from Star Wars: The Force Awakens with this immersive 360 experience created exclusively for Facebook.

Posted by Star Wars on Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Update August 31, 2015

Additional images released for STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

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Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), photo by David James ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) with Stormtroopers, photo by David James ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), photo by David James ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Finn (John Boyega), photo by David James ©Lucasfilm 2015

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L to R: BB-8 w/ Rey (Daisy Ridley), photo by David James ©Lucasfilm 2015

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L to R: Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega), photo by David James ©Lucasfilm 2015

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R2-D2 and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), photo by David James ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), photo by David James ©Lucasfilm 2015

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General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson), photo by David James ©Lucasfilm 2015

 

Update August 27, 2015

Today, Instagram announced that - in addition to square posts - you can now share photos and videos in both portrait and landscape orientation on their platform. With this update, Instagram users can upload widescreen video which will be more cinematic than ever.

This morning, @StarWars released an exclusive look at their upcoming film, The Force Awakens, using Instagram’s new landscape orientation. As part of this collaboration, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is the very first video content to be showcased in this new format for the Instagram community.

There has been an awakening… #StarWars #TheForceAwakens

A video posted by Star Wars (@starwars) on

Update August 18, 2015

At the D23 Expo, Alan Horn,  Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios, took the stage again to present the Lucasfilm slate and timeline to the D23 EXPO fans.

Lucasfilm STAR WARS

Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios Alan Horn at the D23 EXPO 2015 (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

 

Horn told the audience that there were only 124 days to the release of Episode VII, STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, on December 18, 2015 and added that there have been record-breaking trailer views and fantastic fan response.  STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS director J.J. Abrams joined Horn on the stage.

J.J. ABRAMS, ALAN HORN (Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios)

J.J. Abrams (L) and Alan Horn at the D23 EXPO 2015 (Disney/Image Group LA)

 

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS ended D23’s live-action presentation with a bang as J.J. Abrams introduced stars John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac and Lupita Nyong’o. The crowd cheered when John Boyega announced that everyone there would get a Drew Struzan D23 EXPO commemorative poster to take home.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

(L-R) OSCAR ISAAC, JOHN BOYEGA, LUPITA NYONG’O, and DAISY RIDLEY at the D23 EXPO 2015 (Disney/Image Group LA)

 

Then, in a bringing-down-the house surprise moment, Harrison Ford, who is reprising his role as Han Solo, joined Abrams on stage to wild applause.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

(L-R) Director J.J. Abrams and actor Harrison Ford of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS and Chairman of the Walt Disney Studios Alan Horn at the D23 EXPO 2015 (Disney/Image Group LA)

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

Harrison Ford of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS at the D23 EXPO 2015 (Disney/Image Group LA)

 

Update August 13, 2015

First good look at the Starkiller base from recently released film frames.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens, film frame ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens, film frame ©Lucasfilm 2015

 

Update July 11, 2015

Loving tribute and behind-the-scenes footage of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS shown at San Diego Comic Con.  Details of panel, characters, and reveals can be found on the official STAR WARS blog.

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS panel presentation at Comic Con International featured Lucasfilm president and producer Kathleen Kennedy, director J.J. Abrams, writer Lawrence Kasdan, and cast members Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Gwendoline Christie, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford as well as a surprise Star Wars Fan Concert performed by the San Diego Symphony at the Embarcadero Marina Park South.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

(L-R) Moderator Chris Hardwick, producer Kathleen Kennedy, director J.J. Abrams, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Gwendoline Christie, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford at the Hall H Panel for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” during Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Disney)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

(L-R) Actors Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford at the Hall H Panel for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” during Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

(L-R) Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Oscar Isaac at the Hall H Panel for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” during Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

(L-R) Actors Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson and Gwendoline Christie at the Hall H Panel for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” during Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Disney)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Actors Harrison Ford (L), Mark Hamill and more than 6000 fans enjoyed a surprise “Star Wars” Fan Concert performed by the San Diego Symphony, featuring the classic “Star Wars” music of composer John Williams, at the Embarcadero Marina Park South on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Actors Domhnall Gleeson (L), Harrison Ford and more than 6000 fans enjoyed a surprise “Star Wars” Fan Concert performed by the San Diego Symphony, featuring the classic “Star Wars” music of composer John Williams, at the Embarcadero Marina Park South on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Actresses Gwendoline Christie (L), Daisy Ridley and more than 6000 fans enjoyed a surprise “Star Wars” Fan Concert performed by the San Diego Symphony, featuring the classic “Star Wars” music of composer John Williams, at the Embarcadero Marina Park South on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Following the “Star Wars” Hall H presentation at Comic-Con International 2015 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, Calif., the audience of more than 6000 fans enjoyed a surprise “Star Wars” Fan Concert performed by the San Diego Symphony, featuring the classic “Star Wars” music of composer John Williams, at the Embarcadero Marina Park South on July 10, 2015 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Disney)

 

Update April 16, 2015

At the opening of Star Wars Celebration Anaheim, director J.J. Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy, president of Lucasfilm, introduce STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS.  Abrams and Kennedy rolled out the R2D2 used in the film followed by the ball droid BB8, and then introduced the three new lead characters for the film played by John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, and Oscar Isaac.

Star Wars Celebration 2015

(L-R) Droid builder Oliver Steeples, director J.J. Abrams, producer Kathleen Kennedy and moderator Anthony Breznican with R2-D2 and BB-8 onstage during Star Wars Celebration 2015, photo by Jesse Grant

Star Wars Celebration 2015

(L-R) Actors Oscar Isaac, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega and director J.J. Abrams speak onstage during Star Wars Celebration 2015, photo by Jesse Grant

 

At the end of the panel, Kathleen Kennedy and J.J. Abrams brought out the cast of STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS (including many STAR WARS veterans) before debuting the second trailer, “Chewie, we’re home…”

Star Wars Celebration 2015

(L-R) Producer Kathleen Kennedy, actors Peter Mayhew, Mark Hamill, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, director J.J. Abrams and moderator Anthony Breznican speak onstage during Star Wars Celebration 2015, photo by Jesse Grant

Star Wars Celebration 2015

(L-R) Producer Kathleen Kennedy, actors Peter Mayhew, Mark Hamill, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Carrie Fisher, Anthony Daniels, director J.J. Abrams and moderator Anthony Breznican speak onstage during Star Wars Celebration 2015, photo by Jesse Grant

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens ©Lucasfilm 2015

Update January 3, 2015 - Some of the character names revealed in a fun set of retro trading cards (complete with weathering) with images from the teaser trailer.

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Update November 28, 2014 - First teaser trailer released for STAR WARS EPISODE VII THE FORCE AWAKENS!  O… M… G… goosebumps!

STAR WARS VII

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Update November 6, 2015 - STAR WARS EPISODE VII officially has a title!!

Star Wars The Force Awakens

 

The Force Awakens.

I like it! What do you think? Please comment below.

Check out how starwars.com has updated their website. It looks really awesome!


 

December 18, 2015.

This will be a day long remembered…

star-wars-episode-vii

This is the day STAR WARS EPISODE VII will be released in theaters and every STAR WARS fan’s head will explode from the anticipation!

Director J.J. Abrams has kept the anticipation alive by releasing various videos promoting Omaze.com FORCE FOR CHANGE. The contest is over, but the internet is still buzzing about the little glimpses into the EPISODE VII set.

This first video, released on May 21, 2014, gave us a look into the Abu Dabhi set and one of the presumed many cast of puppet characters. J.J.Abrams merely glances at the character, but it was enough to set blogs, podcasts, Facebook and Twitter buzzing for weeks.

Just as that initial buzz died down, J.J.Abrams released another video in which he stands right in the way of what we really want to see in the background. Is that a…no, it couldn’t be!…Yes! An X-Wing!! Move, J.J., we wanna see that!

The Omaze.com winner gets to be in Star Wars Episode VII!! Here is a video of the winning moment.

On April 29th, StarWars.com released the first EPISODE VII cast announcement.

The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Star Wars VII

TM & © 2014 Lucasfilm Ltd. All rights reserved.

 

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.

Update November 7, 2013

Star Wars: Episode VII to Open December 18, 2015

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.

Update January 26, 2013

J.J. ABRAMS

J.J. Abrams will direct Star Wars: Episode VII, the first of a new series of Star Wars films to come from Lucasfilm under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy.  Abrams will be directing and Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt will write the screenplay.

“It’s very exciting to have J.J. aboard leading the charge as we set off to make a new Star Wars movie,” said Kennedy.  “J.J. is the perfect director to helm this.  Beyond having such great instincts as a filmmaker, he has an intuitive understanding of this franchise.  He understands the essence of the Star Wars experience, and will bring that talent to create an unforgettable motion picture.”

George Lucas went on to say “I’ve consistently been impressed with J.J. as a filmmaker and storyteller.  He’s an ideal choice to direct the new Star Wars film and the legacy couldn’t be in better hands.”

“To be a part of the next chapter of the Star Wars saga, to collaborate with Kathy Kennedy and this remarkable group of people, is an absolute honor,” J.J. Abrams said.  “I may be even more grateful to George Lucas now than I was as a kid.”

J.J., his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, and Bad Robot are on board to produce along with Kathleen Kennedy under the Disney | Lucasfilm banner.

Also consulting on the project are Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg.  Kasdan has a long history with Lucasfilm, as screenwriter on The Empire Strikes Back, Raiders of the Lost Ark and Return of the Jedi.  Kinberg was writer on Sherlock Holmes and Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Abrams and his production company Bad Robot have a proven track record of blockbuster movies that feature complex action, heartfelt drama, iconic heroes and fantastic production values with such credits as Star Trek, Super 8, Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, and this year’s Star Trek Into Darkness.  Abrams has worked with Lucasfilm’s preeminent postproduction facilities, Industrial Light & Magic and Skywalker Sound, on all of the feature films he has directed, beginning with Mission: Impossible III.  He also created or co-created such acclaimed television series as Felicity, Alias, Lost and Fringe.

BAD ROBOT

Shooting is scheduled to begin spring 2014 at Pinewood Studios in London.

Star Wars Episode VII is currently scheduled for a 2015 release.  For more family movie news, be sure to follow Adventures by Daddy on twitter and “like” our facebook page too.

About Richard & Sarah Woloski

Richard and Sarah Woloski are the co-hosts and creators of the Disney / Star Wars Podcast Skywalking Through Neverland. The husband and wife team strives to create a polished, positive and fun weekly show celebrating fandom. They also love writing for Adventures By Daddy. Find them @SkywalkingPod