The Force Awakens Episode VII release date thread

[mclay18]

Ever since Disney has been tight-lipped about the release date (other than the broad "Summer 2015" spiel), rumors have been circulating that the movie might be a December 2015 release once Disney finalizes everything. If they were intent on making it (summer '15), they would've announced it months ago.

Here's my take on why December 2015 is very possible:

1) Avengers: Age of Ultron will be THE film of May 2015, since the first film was HUGE. Why should Disney let their prize properties eat into each other's profits, even if TA2 is in its fourth weekend at that point?
2) TA2, Inside Out and POTC 5 will be Disney's huge moneymakers for summer 2015... and the latter will be massive overseas even if domestic isn't that great. They won't need Episode VII at that point.
3) Disney usually has two films during the holiday season. It's been the case for 5-7 years, and Episode VII would be a helluva follow-up to Finding Dory.
4) Without inflation, Avatar is the biggest movie of all time -- and it opened in mid-December. Would not surprise me if Disney announces a December 18, 2015 date for this movie -- which is the exact same day Avatar came out.
5) Avatar 2 ain't arriving in December 2015, but a year later.

 

[Octoberist]

I think it's Hollywood's worst kept secret: Star Wars 7 is most likely coming out in December 2015.

 

[Solidus]

Well a part of me thinks so (since it was what I guessed from the get go) but at the same time this is about the same amount of time that JJ had with ST09 (he had it in the can for it's original December 08 date) and STID. I also think some are underestimating what they can do in that time. But I think to give them more room if they need it is fine, but I think it just comes down to so much of a crowded market it is during the summer.

But ya Octoberist and I months ago before the Summer 2015 thing came out talked about how it would make them probably even more money for a December release. Merchandising wise it would be insane that Christmas. And most of Jan/Feb/March is pretty competition free for a film of that size.

But they keep saying the summer date, they may really want it for that. I've kinda wondered if they would push Pirates 5 back to the December spot.

I admit I'm back and forth on it, there is lots of evidence pointing both ways.

 

[Octoberist]

That's right, Solidus.

I think Disney was being nice to JJ, leaving it open for a Summer 2015 but knowing he won't make it with this kind of schedule. That's why they haven't announced the schedule yet because right now, they're giving JJ a window. And at the end of this 'window', if Disney sees JJ can't make it to Summer 2015, then they'll just push it to Dec 2015.

So we're in the 'wait and see' mode with Disney and JJ I think.

 

[TheVileOne]

May 2016. That's the best option. Releasing the first new Star Wars movie in almost two decades in December is stupid.

 

[Octoberist]

May 2020 it is!

 

[DaddlerTheDalek]

I'm still hoping for Summer 2015.

 

[MrMaooz]

I want Summer of 2015.

 

[Green Goblin]

I think a December date is likely. Does this start filming early 2014?

 

[Solidus]

May 2016. That's the best option. Releasing the first new Star Wars movie in almost two decades in December is stupid.

Why is that stupid? A release date is purely arbitrary. I care about quality. Dates mean nothing. The May date did not make the PT any better to many.

 

[Solidus]

I think a December date is likely. Does this start filming early 2014?

I'm starting to think the December date is more likely (not because of production woes) but just that Disney has such a full plate summer of 2015. But almost nothing in the winter now. Ant Man is now summer 2015 (it was originally November 2015), Avengers is summer, POTC is still summer, one of their Pixar's is summer. So I think they would want something in December. December actually would make them more money.

The GA does not care about dates of when a film comes out, it really makes no difference, most of them probably don't even remember when the SW films were released so it makes little difference other than that of tradition. But again quality comes first.

It would actually be perfect. SW makes most of it's money from merchandising. To imagine mixing the marketing of SW with Christmas time shopping is mind boggling. They could make it a Star Wars Christmas, where everyone wants the new video games, books, adult collectibles/kid toys shirts posters etc. Also that and late 2015 besides Bond is empty. And if they do a mid December/early December release, it will have months of almost zero competition until really mid March. The legs of it would be incredible which is why Avatar/LOTR did so well. The lack of big films during that time would be amazing. That and the original Star Wars was meant to come out in Christmas '76 anyways. I think it would be an interesting time since all the summers are becoming way too crowded. And the winter months though gaining in popularity still seem ripe for big films to really take a big chunk. Having kids on Holiday breaks would allow more to go see the films again and again for the first 3 weeks of it's release.

It really is a win win if they do that. Gives JJ more time if needed, and will probably make them more money in the long run.

 

[TheVileOne]

Why is that stupid? A release date is purely arbitrary. I care about quality. Dates mean nothing. The May date did not make the PT any better to many.

It's stupid because its Star Wars. Star Wars started the golden age of the summer movie season. Why push it to December?

 

[MrMaooz]

Well...Christmas does fall on a Friday in 2015.

 

[Solidus]

It's stupid because its Star Wars. Star Wars started the golden age of the summer movie season. Why push it to December?

Because that's a weak argument. I'm talking lack of competition, more money, merchandising heaven which is where SW does make most of it's money. I don't think they will care as much. But we will see soon enough. They won't just sit on a finished film for that long. They want to get the merchandising, and all the game rolling, they need to start making money. Why not make it in an area where they will probably make even more then they would in May even 2016 it will be loaded with tons of Marvel films from Disney's to Spider-man, X-Men ect ect. It is an open spot that would make them a lot more money due to the lack of competition for a longer stretch no matter what time. Especially to get the brand back into gear. I would bet they would move Episode VIII back to the May stuff, especially if they have a different director starting to work on it early. To me I have a feeling that is what they will do.

To add to that the GA does not give a crap. They can't even remember the names of most the films. Let alone when they are released. All they will do is wait for the massive advertisements months prior to tell them to see the film. Dates don't matter in that case. And most fans at TFN and other SW sites seem to be just fine. Very few care about the May date. Some do, but not enough to make Disney go. "Well we better."

EDIT:

Also I think they may still try to shoot for 2015 May. If they push A2 up a week and put it in late May. But it's hard to tell. But I think moving Ant-Man has some glimpse into what may be going on.

 

[TheVileOne]

There is no competition in May 2016.

 

[Solidus]

And there is none in December 2015. Tintin did not even crack 400 million, it's petty competition.

The films are the spearhead for the entire franchise in terms of really getting attention for the TV shows, games, books, toys, collectibles, shirts, (the Star Wars Land). After the OT Star Wars merchandising went down significantly until the PT came out. And the same happened after the PT it went down. Disney did not just buy a film they bought a universe/franchise. So they will not sit on it.

And May 2016 is currently empty because it's so far ahead. December is closer, they won't sit on a film for a year just because a minority of a minority group of people think that the May date makes or breaks it. Because it does not. They want to start selling toys in mass, and they need the film to help market that more than anything. They want this out. And if it is done for 2015 they will release it in 2015. The thing is May 2016 may not have much but December gives them months of no competition where as May gives them less time. Not saying they would not make tons of money, but the possibility is winter may make them more.

But still I think regardless it's a 2015 release. May is still a possibility, but December is looking more likely.

 

[Octoberist]

It's funny how I tend to agree with Vile on a lot of things, but this is one of the rate times when I don't.

 

[TheVileOne]

December 2015 does have competition. New Da Vinci Code sequel. Chipmunks 4. Kung Fu Panda 3.

 

[TheVileOne]

There's nothing Memorial Day 2016 now. NOTHING.

 

[Hyde]

Really? That would be it's competition? Wow, Star Wars will steamroll over December. Besides I heard that ****munks 4 was being made into a TV show anyway

 

[MrMaooz]

'Pirates of the Caribbean 5' Delayed Beyond Summer 2015

The next installment in Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean franchise will be delayed beyond its planned summer 2015 release date, sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.
OUR EDITOR RECOMMENDS

'Kon-Tiki' Directors Land 'Pirates of the Caribbean 5' Gig


Production is expected to begin this fall, later than anticipated. The hope is for the film to be in theaters in summer 2016.
Script issues are said to be the cause of the delay, though the move comes in the aftermath of The Lone Ranger's failure at the box office this summer. Disney has said that the $250 million production from the team behind the Pirates movies could lead to a $190 million write down for the studio.
Pirates of the Caribbean 5 is set to star Johnny Depp with Joachim Ronning and Espen Sandberg (Kon-Tiki) stepping in as directors. Jeff Nathanson is writing the current draft of the script.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/pirates-caribbean-5-delayed-beyond-625570

 

[Solidus]

Yep I think this shows more Disney has priorities with SW. I always figured POTC would be the first to get the push back. This loosens things up, and I think SW may now have a larger chance of being summer 2015. But still at latest, December of 2015. But I will admit now with this move summer is looking more likely.

 

[Bim]

Yep I think this shows more Disney has priorities with SW.

As it should be. I do hope this means SW will get summer 2015, and with Ant-Man and now POTC 5 getting moved, i'm thinking this might have a little bit to do with SW. I'm hoping it does, anyways

It would compete with that Sups/Bats movie, no? Could this be Disney's way to mess that up a bit? It would make sense to use SW for it (due to its history and rabid fandom) and not TA2.

 

[Solidus]

As it should be. I do hope this means SW will get summer 2015, and with Ant-Man and now POTC 5 getting moved, i'm thinking this might have a little bit to do with SW. I'm hoping it does, anyways

It would compete with that Sups/Bats movie, no? Could this be Disney's way to mess that up a bit? It would make sense to use SW for it (due to its history and rabid fandom) and not TA2.

It's possible, but with Ant Man being a weaker (not in the creative sense) Marvel property, I don't think they would want to do that. Late May would allow them that traditional spot. But more importantly no competition until (from themselves) June, 19th. Which is more than enough time. I think SW would overshadow Ant Man easier than a Pixar film.

But it's clear this shuffling of movies is because of SW.

 

[Bim]

I do wonder though, would Disney use SW to try and hurt the Bats/Sups movie? Speculation of course, but who knows what they're thinking at this point. It does give SW a push for a summer release, which of course makes me very, very, very happy t:

Let's just hope this means we'll get a date announced very soon