Could 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Miss Its 2015 Date?

As 2013 draws to a close and the start date for Star Wars: Episode VII approaches, we're not hearing much that would instill confidence in it hitting the 2015 release date. Just a few days ago we learned that screenwriter Michael Arndt had been replaced, with director J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan taking over. That doesn't always spell disaster, but certainly the already crunched timeframe just got a bit tighter. Not that Disney seems to care, as they're dead set on having the film ready by 2015 no matter what.

According to THR, producer Kathleen Kennedy made a request to have the film pushed back to 2016 in the wake of the writing switcheroo. And how did Disney CEO respond to this request? "Oh hell naw!" Ok, not exactly in those words but he flatly denied her, probably because he wants to get that cash cow mooing as soon as possible. They've got a $4B investment to start making good on.

It seems as a slight wedge has developed between Kennedy and Abrams, as he and Iger are on the same page...

"Some sources say Abrams has become autocratic in recent months, wresting some casting control from Kennedy. But others disputed that notion, saying Abrams and Kennedy both have been involved in casting sessions. Unlike Kennedy, Abrams is said to be more in sync with Iger's desire to meet the 2015 release target -- which allows zero margin for error -- at all costs."

This is the nature of the beast when it come to major Hollywood productions. Studios are staking out release dates before the films are even in production, causing filmmakers no end of headaches trying to meet a date established by people who aren't doing the work. It's a backwards way of doing things, but it's all about money and positioning now rather than doing what's right to make a better movie.