Star Wars to open on December 18, 2015

‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ will be released on December 18, 2015.

Disney has announced the release date for its highly anticipated continuation of the classic space saga, marking the first time a ‘Star Wars’ movie hasn’t opened in May.

Disney CEO Bob Iger said in a conference call on Thursday (07.11.13): ”This, obviously, is one of the most important movies we have in the next few years, and we’ve chosen a date we believe will allow the creative team the time to make a great film.”

The film’s director, J.J. Abrams, was recently confirmed as a screenwriter on the project, in addition to Lawrence Kasdan. The duo will replace original screenwriter Michael Arndt.

Disney purchased the rights to ‘Star Wars’ from creator George Lucas for over $4 billion last year.

The legendary filmmaker is expected to serve as a consulting producer on the new movie.

It’s thought producers will be holding open auditions for two key roles across the United Kingdom this week.

A casting notice posted on Twitter states producers are looking to fill the roles of a ”street smart and beautiful” orphaned girl in her late teens and a ”handsome, smart and athletic” man in his late teens or early 20s.

While it is unusual for a big blockbuster to hold open auditions for lead roles, the ‘Star Wars’ films are famed for handing little or unknown actors its main parts, including Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford.