o-JJ-ABRAMS-R2D2-facebookFilm: Star Wars Episode VII News Timeline

**This page will be updated frequently following the pre-production, production, and post-production of “Star Wars: VII.” It is in order with the most recent news bits on top.

Star Wars VII Timeline

Nov. 29, 2013 – Millennium Falcon reportedly built for Episode VII
Source: The Guardian

Nov. 28, 2013 – Emmanuelle Chriqui, Alexis Dziene and Taissa Farmiga reportedly up for Star Wars VII roles.
Source: ComicBookMovie

Nov. 19, 2013 – R2D2 confirmed
Source: ComingSoon

Nov. 18, 2013 – Samuel L. Jackson reveals on Letterman that Mark Hamill hasn’t been contacted by J.J. Abrams on returning.
Source: ComicBookMovie

Nov. 13, 2013 – Bad Robot tweets possibly the first BTS photo.
Source: Twitter

Nov. 11, 2013 – Disney and Lucasfilm allow fans to audition online
Source: ComicBookMovie

Nov. 7, 2013 – Release Date officially announced: December 18, 2015
Source: SlashFilm

Nov. 3, 2013 – Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 Years a Slave) rumored.
Source: BleedingCool

Oct. 24, 2013 – Script being rewritten by Abrams and Kasdan. Ardnt no longer involved
Source: BleedingCool

Oct. 24, 2013 – Crew announced.
Source: SlashFilm

Oct. 1, 2013 – Saorise Ronan confirms that she has auditioned for the lead role.
Source: ComingSoon

Sept. 19, 2013 – J.J. Abrams wants “Star Wars” to feel real.
Source: Entertainment Weekly

Sept. 19, 2013 – David Oyelowo and Michael B. Jordan reportedly went in for auditions.
Source: Latino Review

Sept. 19, 2013 – Saorise Ronan has reportedly gone in to read for the lead role.
Source: BleedingCool

Sept. 12, 2013 – The first “Star Wars” spin-off rumored to be about young Han Solo.
Source: BleedingCool

Sept. 2, 2013 – Benedict Cumberbatch rumored, but may have scheduling conflicts.
Source: Badass Digest

Aug. 26, 2013 – Production rumored for January 21, 2014 and release Christmas 2015.
Source: Latino Review

Aug. 16, 2013 – Obi-Wan rumored to return as a ghost.
Source: Latino Review

July 31, 2013 – Shooting rumored to begin in August 2013.
Source: BleedingCool

July 27, 2013 – John Williams confirmed for all three episodes.
Source: ComingSoon

June 19, 2013 – Rumored “Star Wars” movie release schedule.
Source: JoBlo

June 19, 2013 – Casting breakdown verified.
Source: BleedingCool

June 17, 2013 – Star wars Land details at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Source: ComicBookMovie

June 11, 2013 – Alleged casting breakdown leaked.
Source: SchmoesKnow

May 22, 2013 – Costume Designer Michael Kaplan confirmed.
Source: ComingSoon

May 10, 2013 – Evidence piles up that Episode VII will have a female lead.
Source: ComicBookMovie

April 30, 2013 – John Williams rumored to be returning
Source: ComingSoon

March 6, 2013 – Carrie Fischer reveals in Palm Beach Illustrated that she will return.
Source: Palm Beach Illustrated

Feb. 20, 2013 – Mark Hamill likely to return, but hasn’t signed anything yet.
Source: SlashFilm

Jan. 28, 2013 – Lucasfilm cancels all remaining theatrical 3D re-releases of previous episodes.
Source: Deadline

Jan. 24, 2013 – J.J. Abrams set to direct Star Wars VII
Source: The Wrap

Jan. 14, 2013 – Zack Snyder shoots down rumors on directing a “Star Wars” spin-off.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Jan. 14, 2013 – Zack Snyder rumored to be developing a “Star Wars” spin-off.
Source: Vulture

Dec. 25, 2012 – Abrams reportedly offered directing job, shoots it down.
Source: ComicBookMovie

Nov. 20, 2012 – THR confirms that Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg will be involved in the next three installments.

Nov. 13, 2012 – Producer Frank Marshall says director search is down to a couple candidates.
Source: MTV

Nov. 9, 2012 – Abrams not keen on directing, says he’ll be a “paying moviegoer”
Source: Hollywood Life

Nov. 9, 2012 – Michael Arndt confirmed.
Source: Slash Film

Nov. 8, 2012 – Michael Arndt has written a 40-50 page treatment.
Source: Vulture

Nov. 7, 2012 – Carrie Fischer says she’ll return if asked.
Source: SuperHeroHype

Nov. 5, 2012 – Harrison Ford is open to reprising his role as Han Solo.
Source: Entertainment Weekly

Oct. 31, 2012 – EW interviews Mark Hamill about the big news.
Souce: Entertainment Weekly

Oct. 31, 2012 – Many sources report that the film will be released in 3D.

Oct. 30, 2012 – Kennedy and Lucas discuss Disney and “Star Wars” future.
Source: Youtube

Oct. 30, 2012 – Disney acquires Lucasfilm for 4.05 billion dollars. Episode 7 announced and targeted for a 2015 release date.
Source: Vulture