Star Wars: The Force Awakens (also known as Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens) is an upcoming American epic space opera film directed by J. J. Abrams. The seventh installment in the main Star Wars film series.The Force Awakens is the first film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, announced after Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm in October 2012. The film is produced by Abrams, his long-time collaborator Bryan Burk, and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. Abrams co-wrote the film with Lawrence Kasdan, who co-wrote the original trilogy films The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi. Abrams and Kasdan rewrote an initial script by Michael Arndt. John Williams, composer and conductor in the previous six films, returns to compose the film score. Star Wars creator George Lucas served only as creative consultant during the film's early production stages.
The Force Awakens is produced by Lucasfilm and Abrams' Bad Robot Productions and will be distributed worldwide by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Filming began in April 2014 in Abu Dhabi and Iceland, with principal photography also taking place in Ireland and Pinewood Studios in England. Disney has backed the film with an extensive marketing campaign, and it is expected to break box office records with projected profits exceeding $1 billion. The Force Awakens will be released in 2D, 3D, and IMAX 3D on December 18, 2015, more than ten years following the release of the franchise's last installment, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005).
Directed by J. J. Abrams
Produced by Kathleen Kennedy
J. J. Abrams
Bryan Burk
Written by Lawrence Kasdan
J. J. Abrams
Michael Arndt
Based on Characters
by George Lucas
Starring Harrison Ford
Mark Hamill
Carrie Fisher
Adam Driver
Daisy Ridley
John Boyega
Oscar Isaac
Lupita Nyong'o
Andy Serkis
Music by John Williams
Cinematography Dan Mindel
Edited by Mary Jo Markey
Maryann Brandon
Production Lucasfilm
companies Bad Robot Productions
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures
Release dates Dec 14, 2015