For all the discussion about Star Wars: Episode VII, we really know very little about it. We know that the film is likely to feature the Skywalker/Solo family; we know that the original leads will probably reprise their roles; and we know that the movie will make a lot of money, regardless of quality. But in case you were wondering (and I’m sure you were), here’s something new that we also know: Star Wars: Episode VII takes place after Return of the Jedi.
Didn’t expect that one, did you?! To be more specific, Episode VII will take place about thirty years after Jedi, which makes good narrative sense. It gives time for Han and Leia’s kids to grow up, and for Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, and (we hope) Harrison Ford to grow old. This little tidbit comes to us courtesy of Disney head Bob Iger (via /Film), and is one of the least surprising things to come out of the Star Wars: Episode VII news mill. Iger also confirms that there are going to be some new faces as well as some old ones – something else I think most of us already assumed.
You might be surprised to recall, however, that R2D2 is the only officially confirmed character returning for Episode VII. While we’re more or less positive that C-3PO, Chewbacca, Han, Leia, and Luke will all put in their appearances, there’s been no official statement on that as yet. Nor are we yet aware what the plot will consist of, although we again make the assumption that it will have something to do with descendants of the characters we know and love.
J.J. Abrams and co. have been close-lipped on the whole casting/plot/production surrounding Episode VII, and will probably continue to be as the film starts shooting this May. They’re going to keep everything under wraps for as long as they can. That is, until releasing details serves a good marketing purpose.
Star Wars: Episode VII will come to theatres December 18, 2015. Maybe by then we’ll know who’s actually in it.