Future Star Wars Movies May Revert Back To May Release Dates

is scheduled for release in December of 2015, a release date that bucks the trend for Star Wars movies. Traditionally, new Star Wars films arrive in May, but Episode VII had to be pushed back because the film wouldn't have been ready for a May release. Walt Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn has told Bloomberg Television that future Star Wars films may return to their traditional May release dates. "No, we're not sure yet," said Horn. "We may revert -- the Star Wars dates have been May -- and we may revert to that at some point. But it depends on the readiness of the screenplays and where we are. But this first one will be December 18th of 2015. So we'll start with that and then we'll see." Disney has plans to release Star Wars films on up to a yearly basis, including possible character spinoffs as well as episodic entries in the main saga. As for Episode VII, Horn said that casting is nearly complete. "It's almost complete," he said. "We're not prepared to announce it yet, but we will be very shortly." Despite the lack of official casting news, Horn said they have begun doing some filming for Episode VII. "We did some second unit work in Abu Dhabi and other places," said Horn, "because we have all these locations we have to film and we have to give it that Star-Warsian look…We haven't commenced the main part of principal photography yet." Star Wars Episode VII will take place 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi. The film is said to feature many cast members from the original trilogy, including Mark Hamill, Carrie Fischer and Harrison Ford. The film will likely focus on the next generation of Jedi Knights, possibly including the children of Han Solo and Leia Organa. Star Wars Episode VII comes to theaters December 18, 2015.