The official title for 2015’s Star Wars movie makes an unexpected change

By Rick Marshall Published November 7, 2014

twitter star wars online session cast the force awakens — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Rest easy, Star Wars fans. The upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII will not, in fact, be titled “The Return of Jar-Jar Binks.” Thankfully, the next installment of the sci-fi franchise will hit theaters with a title that inspires more hope than dread: Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Walt Disney Studios and LucasFilm announced the project’s official title just a few days after principal photography concluded on the film. A title card (pictured) was revealed along with the full title.

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The reveal originated on the official Facebook page for Star Wars as well as on StarWars.com, with both sites confirming that shooting had wrapped on the production. As many fans and outlets have noted, the official title drops the “Episode VII” branding, opting for a shorter title that assumes some familiarity with the continuity of the series.

Star Wars: the Force Awakens hits theaters December 18, 2015, and features the return of franchise actors Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker, as well as newcomers John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Lupita Nyong’o, and Gwendoline Christie. The film is directed by J.J. Abrams.

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