The role would eventually go to Boyega.ĭespite previous comments that Episode VII would begin filming in early May 2014, Disney chairman Alan Horn revealed in April that they had already begun shooting, and that casting was almost complete.
Variety revealed that that “Downton Abbey” thesp Ed Speleers, “Attack the Block” star John Boyega, Jesse Plemons and theater actors Matthew James Thomas and Ray Fisher were battling it out for the male lead. March 12, 2014: Actors battle over lead role
#THE FORCE AWAKENS FULL MOVIE LEAKED DRIVER#
26, 2014: Adam Driver cast as villainĬasting news began to seriously ramp up as Variety exclusively revealed that “Girls” star Adam Driver would play the villain in the new “Star Wars” movie. The following week, Disney and LucasFilm confirmed that the beloved robot would appear in Episode VII.įeb. It included Abrams, LucasFilm president Kathleen Kennedy and, perhaps most notably, R2-D2. November 2013 continued to be an exciting month for “Star Wars” fans, as the first photo from production was released. 14, 2013: First production photo released, featuring R2-D2 “We’re very excited to share the official 2015 release date for ‘ Star Wars: Episode VII,’ where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture,” said Alan Horn, chairman of Walt Disney Studios. Disney announced plans for a new “Star Wars” movie every two to three years, with plans to expand the franchise even further.ĭisney and LucasFilm announced that the new “Star Wars” would arrive on Dec. We found out a new “Star Wars” pic would come in 2015, stealing much of the spotlight in the acquisition news. 30, 2012: Disney buys LucasFilm, new “Star Wars” film announced”ĭisney shocked the industry by acquiring George Lucas’ LucasFilm for $4.05 billion in cash and stock. For “Star Wars” fans, it’s been a long road to the first glimpse of the film, so here’s a look back at the major events that hit the franchise in the past two years. The world’s first substantial look at “ Star Wars: The Force Awakens” came on Friday, when the an 88-second teaser trailer was released online and in 30 select theaters. Since then, fans and industry figures have taken to a massive amount of speculation and rumors - but, in the way of the plot and the way the seventh film in the “Star Wars” world looks, Disney and LucasFilm have kept a tight lid on info. His favorite games include Marvel's Spider-Man, The Last of Us, God of War, and Hades.It’s been two years since the world learned that a new “Star Wars” movie was in the works. Outside of Screen Rant, Chris enjoys watching his favorite sports teams (Giants, Yankees, and Knicks) and playing video games. Chris' favorite directors include Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, and Quentin Tarantino (among several others). He now has a wide range of cinematic tastes, enjoying the latest Hollywood blockbusters, Oscar contenders, and everything in between. Chris has attended several events for Screen Rant, including San Diego Comic-Con and Star Wars Celebration.Ĭhris credits Toy Story and Star Wars with launching a lifelong fascination with movies that led him on the path to his career. He was hired by Screen Rant in 2013 to write box office prediction posts in conjunction with the Screen Rant Underground's Box Office Battle game, and his role at the site grew from there. He is a graduate of Wesley College's Bachelor of Media Arts and Master of Sport Leadership programs.
Chris Agar is a senior movie/TV news editor for Screen Rant and one of Screen Rant's Rotten Tomatoes approved critics.