It's been well over a year since we first found out that a seventh Star Wars film was in the pipeline. And yet we still know relatively little about Episode VII - plot details, character info, and even the proper title are still cloaked in mystery.
Still, we're not completely in the dark. Here's what we do know about the new Star Wars:
- The movie will be released on December 18, 2015 (that's only 506 days from now!) This means that Episode VII will be the first proper Star Wars film not to be released in May ("December The Force Be With You" just doesn't have the same ring, does it?)
- JJ Abrams (of Lost and Star Trek fame) will direct the new film. The screenplay was a collaboration between Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan, whose previous writing credits include The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and Raiders of the Lost Ark. Neither writer had anything to do with the prequel trilogy, which can only be a good sign.
- The film will be set roughly 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi (which, as it happens, was released just over 30 years ago). This chronological leap makes allowances for the wrinkles of...
- ...the original cast, most of whom will be reprising their roles from Episodes 4, 5 and 6. Mark Hamill (Luke), Carrie Fisher (Leia), Harrison Ford (Han), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca) and Kenny Baker (R2-D2) have all been confirmed as Episode VII cast members.
- It's not all about the veterans - the film will feature a decent number of newcomers, too. Among the confirmed cast members are Gwendoline Christie (Brienne from Game of Thrones), John Boyega (Moses from Attack the Block) and Andy Serkis (Gollum from The Lord of the Rings).
And you thought Gollum was CGI.
- Much of the film will be shot at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire. Other filming locations: Iceland (that's another leaf this film is taking from the Game of Thrones playbook)and Abu Dhabi.
- Even though Episode VII is still a solid 16 months away, we can already be relatively certain that Episode VIII and Episode IX will follow soon afterwards. Rian Johnson - director of Looper, Brick, and several episodes of Breaking Bad - is reportedly pencilled in to direct the eighth instalment.
- Finally, are you wondering what role (if any) George Lucas will play in the seventh episode of his beloved sci-fi brainchild? He's a creative consultant, which basically makes him a walking, talking series bible. He tells everyone else the rules of the SW universe (e.g. "the cars don't have wheels, they fly with antigravity") and makes sure that they stick to them.
Even with all these exciting details (more or less) set in stone, the actual movie is still a long way off (consider bookmarking howmanydaysuntilstarwars.com if you're keen to keep track of exactly how long). If you're struggling to get your Star Wars fix in the meantime, check out this cool Star Wars stuff:
