J.J. Abrams Hasn't Agreed To 2015 Release Date For 'Star Wars: Episode VII,' Film Could Be Pushed

News

by Kevin Jagernauth
January 27, 2013 11:06 AM
4 Comments

May the wait be longer... With J.J. Abrams now officially on board to direct "Star Wars: Episode 7," and Disney confirming the news late last week, fans are now patiently waiting for 2015, the date that was first tossed out for the potential release. But it looks like that may not be set in stone. In fact, Disney's press release announcing Abrams made no mention of a release date at all, and this is perhaps why....

THR reports that while Abrams is on to direct, he "has not committed to that release date, meaning the date could be changed if the development process requires it." This is hardly a big surprise. Abrams pulled the same move with Paramount when negotiating to helm "Star Trek Into Darkness." They wanted the followup for a 2012 bow, but Abrams refused to rush and pushed the movie back to 2013. And there's something admirable about that. With studios cranking out sequels faster than ever, it's refreshing that Abrams wants to make sure things are right before rolling cameras.

Meanwhile, Abrams has finally commented on his new "Star Wars" gig. “It really is an incredible thing,” Abrams told E! Online last night on the PGA red carpet. “It's wildly surreal. It's obviously way too early to talk specifics,” Abrams said when asked if original cast of Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford would return. “But I'm excited to actually start it.”

However, as stoked as he might be, the other thing to consider is that outside of "Star Wars," Abrams is extremely busy. He's confirmed to produce "Star Trek 3," develop the next "Mission: Impossible" and just had two TV pilots get greenlit. Undoubtedly, his attention is going to be divided, and perhaps he wants to clear a few things off his plate before zeroing in on "Star Wars: Episode 7." We'd reckon he's already talking about the story with screenwriter Michael Arndt, but the million dollar question will be what Abrams-esque twist or approach he'll want to bring to it.

So put your Boba Fett costume back in the closet for now. A galaxy far, far away might be a bit further than previously thought....

News

More: J. J. Abrams, Star Wars: Episode 7

4 Comments

| Reply
Stevo the Magnificent | January 27, 2013 10:06 PMReply

I would agree with the article stating Abrams is likely to want to clear up a few things before committing 100% to Episode VII... at least, I certainly hope so, if he's taking on the crown jewel of film franchises, he's going to have to devote his FULL AND UNDIVIDED attention to it, and nothing less than that! If that be the case, added to the likely fact of Abrams wanting the script to be honed, refined, and finished before filming starts, I would predict a May 2016 release date...
rodie | January 27, 2013 9:54 PMReply

Yeah, might as well assume this means early summer 2016. They probably won't even begin shooting until spring of next year.
BobHoff | January 27, 2013 2:34 PMReply

May 2016. Book it.
hank | January 27, 2013 2:15 PMReply

just stop with the mickey mouse lightsaber photo