`Star Wars Episode 7` set for December 18, 2015 release

Los Angeles: The first installment of the new `Star Wars` trilogy will be released near the end of 2015.

It is the first time in the franchise`s history, a `Star Wars` film won`t be released in the summer, reported Aceshowbiz. With pre-production in full-swing, the JJ Abrams-directed movie is slated to hit theaters across the US on December 18, 2015, just in time for Christmas holiday season. Filming is scheduled to begin spring 2014 at Pinewood Studios outside London. "We`re very excited to share the official 2015 release date for `Star Wars: Episode VII`, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday film going season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture," says Alan Horn, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. It`s the first feature film production under the Mouse House`s ownership of George Lucas` production company. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan are taking over the writing duties from `The Hunger Games: Catching Fire` scribe Michael Arndt. "It became clear that given the time frame and given the process and the way the thing was going that working with Larry in this way was going to get us where we need to be and when we needed to be," the director says of the change in the scripting department. "That doesn`t preclude working with Michael again in the future. Working with Michael was a wonderful experience and I couldn`t be a bigger fan of his or adore him more, He`s a wonderful guy and was incredibly helpful in the process," Abrams added. No actors involved in the project have been announced yet.