The next Star Wars film is coming and I am excited to see it. What doesn’t excite me is how the press release states it will arrive December 18, 2015.
Star Wars films have arrives Memorial Day weekend. As a matter of fact, Star Wars (I am of the camp that refuses to refer to that first film as A New Hope) pretty much helped to define the summer blockbuster season. Sure, things get pushed back now to the beginning of May (due in large part to the Marvel films), but Memorial Day weekend has been the unofficial kick-off for the summer movie season since 1977.
So why is the film coming in December? Because Disney which now owns LucasFilm wants the film released in 2015. Having it released in the summer of 2015 is too soon because that’s a year and a half away and the script isn’t ready, let alone pre-production (and casting).
Why not wait and release the film Memorial Day weekend of 2016? Is Disney worried about what superhero films are going to be clogging that summer’s release calendar? I can almost guarantee that every other studio will move whatever projects they have if Disney decides to put Star Wars VII where it belongs on the calendar.
As Richard Pryor said “When you’re on fire, people move out of your way!” Let’s face it, the next Star Wars film, good or bad, will be on fire.