The 'Star Wars' Movie Finally Has a Title

At last, the new Star Wars film has a name. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the official title of J.J. Abrams’ space saga, as it appeared on StarWars.com today. The new film, which takes place thirty years after the events of the original Star Wars trilogy, is finishing up shooting now, with the cast celebrating at a wrap party last week.

Abrams on set

The title offers the first clue, however vague, about what the film’s plot might be. Return of the Jedi left off with the Empire defeated, the Emperor dead, and Darth Vader finally liberated from evil in his afterlife. Obviously, the new movie isn’t going to be a little character study about people living in a time of peace, so one must assume that when they say The Force awakens, the dark side is springing out of bed first.

Here is what we do know about it: The film is directed by J.J. Abrams, and returns original series stars Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford. They will be joined by new stars John Boyega (Attack the Block), Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), Adam Driver (Girls), newcomer Daisy Ridley, Domhnall Gleeson (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows), Andy Serkis, and Max von Sydow. Anthony Daniels will be returning as C-3PO, too, while Peter Mayhew will don the Chewbacca costume once again.

The far-flung production of the film saw segments filmed in London’s Pinewood Studio, County Kerry, and Abu Dhabi, and just wrapped. Abrams wrote this heartfelt note to his cast and crew, who did their best to keep their lips sealed about the film even as photo leaks plagued production.

The force will be awakening in theaters on December 18, 2015.