Countdown to Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Revisit the Stories for Episode VII

One year. 365 days. That’s how long it will be until the world is finally given a new “Star Wars” film in the form of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Upon its release it will have been over ten years (10!) since a new “Star Wars” film was in theaters, so fan intrigue and excitement will certainly be at an all time high when we’re finally given the long awaited “Episode VII.” So with just one year left on the clock, we thought we’d go back and compile most of the stories regarding the upcoming film and allow you an opportunity to revisit them! Check them all out in the gallery viewer below!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens will open in theaters on December 18, 2015.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens News Timeline

October 30, 2012 – A great disturbance

The day before Halloween, Disney rocked the internet to its core when they revealed that they would acquire Lucasfilm for $4 billion and produce more Star Wars films with Episode VII targeting a 2015 release date.
The deal also revealed Kathleen Kennedy would become President of Lucasfilm and executive produce the new Star Wars feature films, with George Lucas serving as creative consultant. In addition, “more feature films expected to continue the Star Wars saga and grow the franchise well into the future” were confirmed.
October 31, 2012 – What was old is new again

The next day after the initial announcement came a report that the films would be entirely new stories with no basis on the “expanded universe” stories of Star Wars. In addition, a separate report indicated Disney and Lucasfilm's plans to make the series into an “Avengers”-style universe with multiple character-centric films in addition to the singular “Episodes.”
November 1, 2012 – Mark Hamill knows....

Two days after the announcement, original series star Mark Hamill revealed that he had been aware since August of 2011 that Episodes VII, VII, and IX were being planned after a lunch he had with George Lucas.
“I thought he was going to talk about either his retirement or the ‘Star Wars’ TV series that I’ve heard about....So when he said, ‘We decided we’re going to do Episodes VII, VIII, and IX,' I was just gobsmacked. 'What? Are you nuts?!'”
November 6, 2012 – Riding Solo

A week after the initial announcement, a report debuts online reading that Harrison Ford is “open” to returning for the upcoming film. Which ended up being true of course.
November 7, 2012 - “Yes, wouldn't you?”

The next day, TMZ would find Princess Leia herself Carrie Fisher and asked her if she would join the film if asked. She countered with the best possible answer, “Yes, wouldn't you?” Fisher would later officially sign on to the film.
November 8, 2012 – We have a script!

Nine days after the announcement, a report surfaced that Academy Award-winning writer Michael Arndt had turned in a 50-page treatment for the highly-anticipated sequel and that it appeared likely he would draft the script. Two days later the news was confirmed that Arndt would provide the screenplay.
November 9, 2012 – Kennedy and Lucas talk

The next day, Lucasfilm debuted a new video with Kathleen Kennedy and George Lucas discussing Lucas’ role as creative consultant on Star Wars: Episode VII and the hunt for a director, saying they’re seeking someone not only with talent but who has “grown up a Star Wars fan.”
November 12, 2012 – J.J. says thanks, but no thanks

Since the announcement of a Star Wars: Episode VII, countless directors threw their hat in the ring for consideration for the film in addition to many others who proclaimed to not be interested. Among those “not interested” at the time was none other than the film's eventual director, J.J. Abrams, who said:
“I almost feel that, in a weird way, the opportunity for whomever it is to direct that movie, it comes with the burden of being that kind of iconic movie and series. I was never a big Star Trek fan growing up, so for me, working on Star Trek didn’t have any of that, you know, almost fatal sacrilege, and so, I am looking forward more than anyone to the next iterations of Star Wars, but I believe I will be going as a paying moviegoer!”
(Photo Credit: Brian To/WENN.com)
November 13, 2012 – So close, yet so far, far away

One day after Abrams seemingly took himself out of the running, producer Frank Marshall revealed that Lucasfilm was very close to finding the director, saying: “I do (know) but I can’t reveal it, or I won’t be alive tomorrow.”
(Photo Credit: FayesVision/WENN.com)
November 20, 2012 – You get a screenwriter, and you get a screenwriter!

Mid-November brought the news that screenwriters Lawrence Kasdan (The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi) and Simon Kinberg (X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Days of Future Past) had been brought on board to write two more “Star Wars” films, at the time believed to be Episodes VIII and IX. However, eight days later it was revealed the two scripts would actually be for character-specific spin-off films.
(Photo Credit: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com)
December 3, 2012 – And then there's George

Since the announcement of a new film, it was often wondered by many what role George Lucas would have in the production of these new films. The original press release listed him as a creative consultant, but George opened up about what that actually entailed, saying:
“[If the filmmakers ask],‘Who’s this guy?’ I can tell them,” he said. “I mean, they have a hundred encyclopedias and things, but I actually know a lot. I can say, ‘This is this and this is that.’ Basically I’m not — I don’t really have much to do.”
(Photo Credit: Nikki Nelson/ WENN)
December 21, 2012 – The beginning....

On the same day that many thought the world would end as predicted by the Mayan calendar, Disney fully completed the acquisition of Lucasfilm. The finally tally of the sale was over $4 billion.
December 26, 2012 – J.J. turned it down, for real

Despite saying over a month before that he had no interest in helming the film, director J.J. Abrams confirmed that he did have discussions with Kathleen Kennedy about the project and in fact turned it down.
“There were the very early conversations and I quickly said that because of my loyalty to Star Trek, and also just being a fan, I wouldn’t even want to be involved in the next version of those things. I declined any involvement very early on. I’d rather be in the audience not knowing what was coming, rather than being involved in the minutiae of making them.”
That's all well and good, but then...
(Photo Credit: Mr. Blue/WENN.com)
January 24/26, 2013 – Abrams boards as director

A report emerged online that Abrams would direct the film, going against all of this previous quotes. Then two days later, one month after revealing that he had turned it down, Lucasfilm officially announces that Abrams woulf direct Star Wars: Episode VII.
“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.”
The photo to the left was actually taken the day of the announcement.
(Photo Credit: Apega/WENN.com)
March 7, 2013 – Pretty much, yeah

Some time passed before more big stories about the film debuted, but then George Lucas revealed in an itnerview that original trilogy stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher were all “pretty much” signed on for the film.
“We had already signed Mark and Carrie and Harrison—or we were pretty much in final stages of negotiation. So I called them to say, ‘Look, this is what’s going on.’Maybe I’m not supposed to say that. I think they want to announce that with some big whoop-de-do, but we were negotiating with them.”
May 10, 2013 – In a studio far, far away

Lucasfilm would confirm that summer that production on the film will take place in the UK, much like the films in the original trilogy. The next month, they would officially announce Pinewood Studios has the home for Episode VII.
June 19, 2013 – Who are you people!?

With it being previously confirmed that the upcoming film would be an original story with no ties to other “expanded universe” tales, fans were wondering who would we see take the lead in Episode VII. Luckily, a casting breakdown leaked online and was verified as legit, revealing a number of character details, including:
- Late-teen female, independent, good sense of humour, fit.
- Young twenty-something male, witty and smart, fit but not traditionally good looking.
- Seventy-something male, with strong opinions and tough demeanour. Also doesn’ t need to be particularly fit.
July 27, 2013 – Return of Williams' Score

Legendary composer John Williams expressed a desire not long after the Star Wars announcement that he wanted to return and we got the official word that he'd be back that summer. Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy confirmed the news at the Star Wars Celebration Europe.
August 23, 2013 – 35mm or bust

Frequent Abrams collaborator Dan Mindel was revealed as the director of photography for the film that summer as well, but in addition it was confirmed the film would be shot on 35mm once production began.
October 24, 2013 – The Phantom Screenwriter

Almost one year after the announcement of the acquisition and development of Star Wars: Episode VII, Lucasfilm revealed that they were starting over with the film's script. Michael Arndt's draft would no longer be used and instead Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan would take over as screenwriters for the film.
“There are very few people who fundamentally understand the way a 'Star Wars' story works like Larry,” Kathleen Kennedy said. “And it is nothing short of incredible to have him even more deeply involved in its return to the big screen. J.J. of course is an incredible storyteller in his own right. Michael Arndt has done a terrific job bringing us to this point and we have an amazing filmmaking and design team in place already prepping for production.”
November 7, 2013 – Merry Christmas from Lucasfilm!

Two weeks after the announcement of the screenwriter change, Lucasfilm officially announced the release date of Star Wars: Episode VII as December 18, 2015, curbing all expectations that the film would debut on Memorial Day weekend like the previous films.
November 14, 2013 - “Hi from the workshop!”

A week later, Abrams revealed the first official behind-the-scenes image for the film with the caption “Hi from the workshop” where he stood with Kathleen Kennedy and Lee Towersey and Oliver Steeples of the worldwide R2-D2 Builders Club who constructed an R2-D2 that would be used in the film.
January 12, 2014 – Attack of the casting rumors

The next year, the casting rumors for Episode VII would kick into high gear, but one of the first names attached was “Girls” star Adam Driver, who was being targeted for a role in the film. Over a month later a new report would surface revealing Driver was in talks to play the lead villain in the film.
(Photo Credit: Alberto Reyes/WENN.com)
January 19, 2014 – The script is ready, for real this time

A week later, Abrams would provide another brief update on the film, confirming that the new script for Episode VII was set and they were full speed ahead on pre-production. Abrams also briefly spoke about some of the casting rumors at the time, confirming that Jesse Plemons had in fact auditioned for him.
March 12, 2014 – Whose your Boyega?

Though it previously seemed like Jesse Plemons had the casting for the lead all wrapped up for “Episode VII,” a new report debuted pointing to a number of other likely candidates including Attack the Block star John Boyega.
March 14, 2014 – Here comes an Oscar winner!

Just twelve days after winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 12 Years A Slave, it was revealed that actress Lupita Nyong'o had met with Abrams about a role in the film.
(Photo Credit: Apega/WENN.com)
March 18, 2014 – Still far, far away, but slightly less long ago

With production expected to begin in just a few months, Disney and Lucasfilm whet the appetities of fans everywhere by confirming that Episode VII would be set 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi and that the storyline follows "a trio of new young leads along with some very familiar faces."
March 28, 2014 – Let the Wookie win

As many former cast members of fan favorite films and shows are want to do, Chewbacca himself Peter Mayhew makes a number of con apperances during the year but he had to cancel his appearance for Comicpalooza convention in Houston, TX “due to filming” leading many to believe he would be joining the cast for the sequel. It was confirmed ten days later that Mayhew would return in the role.
(Photo Credit: WENN)
April 2, 2014 – Well, that looks familiar

Though it had been widely reported that production on Episode VII would be set up at Pinewood Studios, a new report debuted revealing that production would actually start somewhere else. Though originally reported as Morocco, the location was later revealed to actually be Abu Dhabi where production would shoot for the first two weeks of production.
April 28, 2014 – Inside Han Solo

As rumors continued to circulate about the film, two big ones appeared on the same day that Harrison Ford's Han Solo had a “gigantic” role in the upcoming movie and that “Inside Llewyn Davis” star Oscar Isaac was in the running for another lead role in the film.
April 29, 2014 – Come together!

One day later, the cast for the film was officially announced and included the previously-rumored John Boyega, Adam Driver, and Oscar Isaac but also Daisy Ridley, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow in addition to returning stars Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker.
May 15, 2014 – Baby's first day

A little over two weeks after the cast assembled and the first table read of the script conducted, production officially began on Star Wars: Episode VII and the Bad Robot Twitter account gave us an official behind-the-scenes still of the slate.
May 21, 2014 – Force for change!

Six days into production, director J.J. Abrams debuted a video straight from the set of Episode VII and revealed the terms of their “Force For Change” contest, which would see one lucky fan given a role in the film. We also got our first look at the desert planet set in Abu Dhabi and a brand new alien!
June 2, 2014 – Set photos and more cast members!

June 2 was a big day for Star Wars as it featured not only over 40 revealing set photos from the Abu Dhabi location, including countless set pieces, characters, and animatronics, but also the official announcement of two additional cast members: the previously-rumored Lupita Nyong'o and “Game of Thrones” cast member Gwendoline Christie.
June 3, 2014 – She may not look like much

The very next day over 20 more images leaked online featuring an in construction Millennium Falcon and X-Wing, among other things. These two batches of leaked photos prompted Abrams to release a hand written tongue-in-cheek note placed upon the Holochess board from the famous ship.
June 12, 2014 – Disaster strikes back

Things were quiet for some time, but then reports started to surface that Harrison Ford had been injured on the set of Episode VII. Lucasfilm released an official statement on the matter saying:
“Harrison Ford sustained an ankle injury during filming today on the set of Star Wars: Episode VII. He was taken to a local hospital and is receiving care. Shooting will continue as planned while he recuperates.”
Later reports would reveal Ford would scheduled to miss 8 weeks of shooting, but that his injury wouldn't delay the release of the film.
June 20, 2014 – No, there is another

It had been reported for some time that Lucasfilm was already developing the next installments of Star Wars films including not only solo spin-off films but also the next chapters in this sequel saga. During the middle of production on Episode VII, we learned that Brick, Looper and The Brothers Bloom helmer Rian Johnson would write and direct the upcoming Episode VIII, taking over for Abrams after Episode VII.
July 20, 2014 – Can you give us a hand with this?

A month would pass without any other huge developments until a report dropped on the plot of Episode VII, which detailed that John Boyega and Daisy Ridley's characters would find the hand of Luke Skywalker where they would take it to none other than Han Solo and Chewbacca for help.
July 21, 2014 – Just like my T-16 back home

Eight weeks after announcing the Force For Change contest, Abrams debuted another video detailing the terms of the contest (which included an advanced screening of the movie) and revealing a brand new X-Wing from the film.
July 21, 2014 – Aren't you a little short for a Stormtrooper?

That same day another report debuted online revealing that John Boyega's character in the Episode VII would be none other than a Stormtrooper. The report also revealed Boyega deserts his post to team up with Daisy Ridley's character in the search for Luke Skywalker.
August 14, 2014 – These aren't the troopers you're looking for

As the summer continued, it seemed like there were a lot of holes in the Episode VII production as an image leaked online revealing the look of the Stormtroopers and Snowtroopers for the film which, while not radically different, were certainly updated looks.
September 18, 2014 – What a piece of junk

One thing that continued to escalate during the production of Episode VII was a “feud” between the Star Wars camp and the crew of WB's Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. The cherry on top of this very public “battle” was a video detailing the newly-constructed Millennium Falcon for the film which featured a hidden Batmobile on its underbelly.
October 16, 2014 – Yub Nub indeed

Though much of the cast of Episode VII was revealed early on in the process of shooting, one more addition wasn't confirmed until late into the shoot as none other than Warwick Davis (who made his big screen debut as Wicket in Return of the Jedi).
November 6, 2014 - *Insert coffee joke here*

Lucasfilm blindsided everyone by revealing the title of Episode VII, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Some of the comments on the article ranged from:
“SW:TBA changed to SW:TFA. I like it.” to “At least it's not Age of the Jedi or anything like that.”
November 24, 2014 – A presence I've not felt since...

The week of Thanksgiving we learned that the teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens would be shown that weekend exclusively at 30 theaters in the US and Canada, which prompted many to proclaim “Not fair!” It was later confirmed the trailer would debut online, and J.J. even wrote a special teaser for the teaser.
November 28, 2014 – There has been an awakening

On Black Friday, it was revealed, the official teaser trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens and all 88 seconds of it was filled with the kind of awe and spectacle fans were hoping for.
December 11, 2014 – My name is WHO?

After weeks of stewing over the new characters in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, who we saw for the first time in the trailer, Lucasfilm debuted the names of the new characters via images mocked up like vintage trading cards. Perhaps one of the most clever bits of marketing we've seen with still over a year to go.