Star Wars: The Force Awakens#Cast

Thirty years after the Battle of Endor,{{efn|As depicted in Return of the Jedi (1983)}} the First Order has risen from the fallen Galactic Empire and seeks to end the New Republic. The Resistance, led by General Leia Organa, opposes the First Order. Leia also searches for her missing twin brother, Luke Skywalker.

On the desert planet Jakku, Resistance pilot Poe Dameron receives a map to Luke's location. First Order stormtroopers commanded by Kylo Ren arrive and capture Poe. His droid, {{nowrap|BB-8}}, escapes with the map and encounters Rey, a lone scavenger. Kylo tortures Poe using the Force and learns of {{nowrap|BB-8}}. Stormtrooper {{nowrap|FN-2187}}, disillusioned with the First Order, saves Poe, and they escape in a stolen TIE fighter. Upon learning that {{nowrap|FN-2187}} has no other name, Poe names him "Finn". As they head to Jakku to retrieve {{nowrap|BB-8}}, a First Order Star Destroyer shoots them, and they crash-land. Finn survives and assumes Poe was killed after finding his jacket in the wreck. Finn encounters Rey and {{nowrap|BB-8}}, but the First Order tracks them and launches an airstrike. Rey, Finn, and {{nowrap|BB-8}} steal the Millennium Falcon and escape Jakku.

The Falcon is discovered and boarded by Han Solo and Chewbacca. Gangs seeking to settle debts with Han attack, but the group escapes in the Falcon. At the First Order's Starkiller Base, a planet converted into a superweapon, Supreme Leader Snoke approves General Hux's request to use the weapon on the New Republic. Snoke questions Kylo's ability to deal with emotions surrounding his father, Han Solo, whom Kylo states means nothing to him.

Aboard the Falcon, Han determines that BB-8's map is incomplete. He then explains that Luke attempted to rebuild the Jedi Order but exiled himself when an apprentice turned to the dark side, destroyed Luke's temple, and slaughtered the other apprentices. The crew travels to the planet Takodana and meets with cantina owner Maz Kanata, who offers help getting BB-8 to the Resistance. The Force draws Rey to a secluded vault, where she finds Anakin Skywalker's lightsaber. She experiences disturbing visions, including a childhood memory of a ship leaving her on Jakku. Rey denies the lightsaber at Maz's offering and flees into the woods. Maz gives Finn the lightsaber for safekeeping.

Starkiller Base destroys the Hosnian star system, including the New Republic capital Hosnian Prime, leaving the Resistance without support. The First Order attacks Takodana in search of {{nowrap|BB-8}}. Han, Chewbacca, and Finn are saved by Resistance X-wing fighters led by Poe, who survived the crash. Leia arrives at Takodana with {{nowrap|C-3PO}} and reunites with Han; it is revealed that she is Kylo's mother. Meanwhile, Kylo captures Rey, realizing she had seen the map, and takes her to Starkiller Base, but she resists his mind-reading attempts. Snoke orders Kylo to bring Rey to him. Discovering she can use the Force, Rey escapes using a Jedi mind trick on a stormtrooper guard.

At the Resistance base, BB-8 finds R2-D2, who had been in low-power mode since Luke's disappearance. As Starkiller Base prepares to fire again, the Resistance plans to destroy it by attacking its thermal oscillator. Using the Falcon, Han, Chewbacca, and Finn infiltrate the facility, find Rey, and plant explosives. Han confronts Kylo, calling him by his birth name, Ben, and implores him to abandon the dark side. Kylo seems to consider this, but he ultimately kills Han. Chewbacca shoots Kylo, injuring him, and sets off the explosives, allowing Poe to attack and destroy the base's thermal oscillator.

Kylo pursues Rey and Finn into the woods and incapacitates Rey. Finn uses the lightsaber to duel Kylo but is quickly defeated. Rey awakens, takes the lightsaber, and defeats Kylo in a duel. Snoke orders Hux to evacuate and bring Kylo to him to complete his training. Chewbacca saves Rey and the injured Finn, and they escape aboard the Falcon. As the Resistance forces flee, Starkiller Base implodes and erupts into a star. {{nowrap|R2-D2}} awakens and reveals the rest of the map, which points to the oceanic planet Ahch-To.

Rey, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 travel to Ahch-To on the Falcon. Rey finds Luke atop a cliff on a remote island and presents him with his lightsaber.

{{See also|List of Star Wars characters{{!}}List of Star Wars characters|List of Star Wars cast members{{!}}List of Star Wars cast members}}

File:Star Wars - The Force Awakens cast by Gage Skidmore.jpg]]

• Harrison Ford as Han Solo: A smuggler and captain of the Millennium Falcon
• Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker: The last Jedi, who has gone into hiding
• Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa: A leader of the Resistance
• Adam Driver as Kylo Ren: A leader of the Knights of Ren and a warlord of the First Order, who is the son of Han and Leia{{Cite web |last=Shanfeld |first=Ethan |date=December 1, 2023 |title=Adam Driver Reveals the 'Star Wars' Scene He'll Never Live Down: 'Somebody Reminds Me About That Every Day' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/adam-driver-star-wars-kylo-ren-kill-han-solo-1235816619/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202103038/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/adam-driver-star-wars-kylo-ren-kill-han-solo-1235816619/?cx_testId=48&cx_testVariant=cx_1&cx_artPos=2#cxrecs_s |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |access-date=December 2, 2023 |publisher=Variety}}
• Daisy Ridley as Rey: A Force-sensitive scavenger
• Cailey Fleming as young Rey
• John Boyega as Finn: A reformed First Order stormtrooper
• Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron: A high-ranking X-wing fighter pilot of the Resistance
• Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata: A centuries-old and perceptive alien who owns a castle on the peaceful forest planet Takodana
• Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke: An enigmatic, genetically artificial leader of the First Order
• Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux: The commander of the First Order's Starkiller Base
• Anthony Daniels as C-3PO: A humanoid protocol droid
• Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca: Han's loyal Wookiee friend and co-pilot
• Joonas Suotamo and Ian Whyte served as body doubles for Mayhew as he suffered from health problems
• Max von Sydow as Lor San Tekka: A galactic explorer searching for Luke Skywalker

Tim Rose and Mike Quinn reprise their respective roles as Admiral Ackbar and Nien Nunb from Return of the Jedi, with Erik Bauersfeld and Kipsang Rotich returning their respective voices.{{cite web |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/568f1ba214607 |title=Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens |publisher=British Film Institute |access-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021190327/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/568f1ba214607 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |url-status=dead}} Kenny Baker, originally announced as part of the cast, was credited as "consultant" for R2-D2, with Jimmy Vee performing some of the work for R2-D2.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/star-wars-last-jedi-r2-d2-jimmy-vee-kenny-baker-1201987961/ |title='Star Wars': R2-D2 Role to Be Filled by Jimmy Vee in 'The Last Jedi' |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |work=Variety |date=February 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620190059/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/star-wars-last-jedi-r2-d2-jimmy-vee-kenny-baker-1201987961/ |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |access-date=February 15, 2017 |url-status=live}} Ewan McGregor has an uncredited vocal cameo as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Rey's vision sequence, while archival audio of Frank Oz and Alec Guinness as Yoda and Kenobi, respectively, are also used in the same scene; Oz recorded new dialogue for the film, but it was replaced with preexisting audio from The Empire Strikes Back.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/12/20/jj-abrams-reveals-obi-wan-and-yoda-are-star-wars-force-awakens |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |title=Obi-Wan and Yoda are secretly in Star Wars: The Force Awakens |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 20, 2015 |access-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221083404/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/12/20/jj-abrams-reveals-obi-wan-and-yoda-are-star-wars-force-awakens |url-status=live}} Star Wars: The Clone Wars voice actor James Arnold Taylor, who has voiced Obi-Wan Kenobi in different Star Wars media, originally recorded Kenobi's dialogue, but his recordings were replaced with McGregor's.{{Cite tweet |user=JATactor |number=678299784621350912 |title=@t_betts94 yes, it was me originally but they replaced my version with Ewan. I guess if I'm gonna be replaced it should be him! 😀 |url=https://twitter.com/jatactor/status/678299784621350912 |date=December 19, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406152844/https://twitter.com/jatactor/status/678299784621350912 |archive-date=April 6, 2022 |via=Twitter}}

Gwendoline Christie portrays Captain Phasma, the commander of the First Order's legions of stormtroopers.{{cite web |last=Petty |first=Jared |url=https://ign.com/articles/2015/05/04/star-wars-gwendoline-christie-revealed-as-captain-phasma |title=Game of Thrones' Gwendoline Christie Revealed as Star Wars' Chrome Trooper Captain Phasma |website=IGN |date=May 4, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2016 |archive-date=September 4, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904010056/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/05/04/star-wars-gwendoline-christie-revealed-as-captain-phasma |url-status=live}} Dave Chapman and Brian Herring served as puppeteers for BB-8,{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/droid-dreams-how-neal-scanlan-and-the-star-wars-the-force-awakens-team-brought-bb-8-to-life |title=Droid Dreams: How Neal Scanlan and the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Team Brought BB-8 to Life |first=Dan |last=Brooks |publisher=StarWars.com |date=August 26, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=July 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180702020610/https://www.starwars.com/news/droid-dreams-how-neal-scanlan-and-the-star-wars-the-force-awakens-team-brought-bb-8-to-life |url-status=live}} with Bill Hader and Ben Schwartz credited as "Vocal Consultants".{{Cite web |last=McKenzie |first=Joi-Marie |date=December 17, 2015 |title=Bill Hader and Ben Schwartz Are the Unlikely Voices Behind BB-8 in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/bill-hader-ben-schwartz-voices-bb-star-wars/story?id=35818538 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211113073723/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/bill-hader-ben-schwartz-voices-bb-star-wars/story?id=35818538 |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |website=ABC News}} Ken Leung appears as Statura, an admiral in the Resistance.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418163_gallery-501347348-greg-grunberg-125664119-ken-leung |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': A collection of cameos and Easter eggs: Lost Meets Star Wars |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220225546/http://www.ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418163_gallery-501347348-greg-grunberg-125664119-ken-leung |url-status=dead}} Simon Pegg appears as Unkar Plutt, the Junk parts dealer on Jakku.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418183_gallery-star-wars-force-awakens-2015-simon-pegg |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': A collection of cameos and Easter eggs: Simon Pegg |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220225604/http://www.ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418183_gallery-star-wars-force-awakens-2015-simon-pegg |url-status=dead}} Greg Grunberg plays Temmin "Snap" Wexley, an X-wing pilot.{{cite web |title=Databank: Snap Wexley |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/snap-wexley |access-date=December 26, 2015 |publisher=StarWars.com |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220223538/http://www.starwars.com/databank/snap-wexley |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Anderson |first1=Tre'vell |title=J.J. Abrams' good luck charm Greg Grunberg reveals his 'Force Awakens' character Snap Wexley |url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-greg-grunberg-snap-wexley-star-wars-force-awakens-20151215-story.html |access-date=December 16, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 16, 2015 |archive-date=December 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217011934/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-greg-grunberg-snap-wexley-star-wars-force-awakens-20151215-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Kiran Shah plays Teedo, a scavenger on Jakku who rides a semi-mechanical Luggabeast.{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/teedo |title=Databank: Teedo |publisher=StarWars.com |access-date=September 6, 2015 |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906221609/http://www.starwars.com/databank/teedo |url-status=live}} Jessica Henwick appears as Jess "Testor" Pava or Jess Testor, an X-wing pilot.{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/jess-pava |title=Jess Pava |publisher=StarWars.com |date=November 26, 2014 |access-date=May 29, 2016 |archive-date=May 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160515031944/http://www.starwars.com/databank/jess-pava |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/2014/11/26/star-wars-the-force-awakens-adds-jessica-henwick-to-cast/ |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens Adds Jessica Henwick To Cast |publisher=ComicBook.com |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |date=November 26, 2014 |access-date=December 18, 2014 |archive-date=December 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208171021/http://comicbook.com/2014/11/26/star-wars-the-force-awakens-adds-jessica-henwick-to-cast/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}{{cite web |title=13 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Cameos You Might Have Missed |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2690893/star-wars-the-force-awakens-cameos |publisher=MTV |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-date=November 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108115228/http://www.mtv.com/news/2690893/star-wars-the-force-awakens-cameos/ |url-status=dead}} Brian Vernel appears as Bala-Tik, the leader of the Guavian Death Gang.{{cite web |last1=Trumbore |first1=Dave |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': All the Cameos You Might Have Missed |url=https://collider.com/star-wars-the-force-awakens-cameos |publisher=Collider |access-date=January 1, 2016 |date=December 17, 2015 |archive-date=January 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102180245/http://collider.com/star-wars-the-force-awakens-cameos/ |url-status=live}} Yayan Ruhian and Iko Uwais appear as Tasu Leech and Razoo Qin-Fee, members of the Kanjiklub Gang, a criminal organization. Warwick Davis appears as Wollivan, a tavern-dweller in Maz Kanata's castle.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/oct/17/warwick-davis-to-feel-the-force-of-star-wars-episode-7 |title=Warwick Davis to feel the force of Star Wars: Episode 7 |last=Child |first=Ben |website=The Guardian |date=October 17, 2014 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130094344/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/oct/17/warwick-davis-to-feel-the-force-of-star-wars-episode-7 |archive-date=January 30, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/740447_warwick-davisjpg |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': A collection of cameos and Easter eggs: Ewok No More |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220230519/http://www.ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/740447_warwick-davisjpg |url-status=dead}} Anna Brewster appears as Bazine Netal, a First Order spy, also at Maz Kanata's castle. Hannah John-Kamen appears as a First Order officer. Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Kate Fleetwood play First Order Petty Officers, Thanisson and Unamo, respectively.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418173_gallery-thomas-brodie-sangster-frame-fromeither-maze-runner |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': A collection of cameos and Easter eggs: Newt Joins The Dark Side |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220225557/http://www.ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418173_gallery-thomas-brodie-sangster-frame-fromeither-maze-runner |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://dorksideoftheforce.com/2015/10/12/new-mysterious-cast-member-for-the-force-awakens-has-surfaced |title=New mysterious cast member for The Force Awakens has surfaced |last=Harrid |first=David |website=Dork Side of the Force |date=October 12, 2015 |access-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-date=January 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131041735/http://dorksideoftheforce.com/2015/10/12/new-mysterious-cast-member-for-the-force-awakens-has-surfaced/ |url-status=live}} Billie Lourd, daughter of Carrie Fisher, appears as Connix, a lieutenant in the Resistance.{{cite web |url=http://vegasseven.com/2014/11/11/debbie-reynolds-one-last-song-in-the-rain |title=Debbie Reynolds Gives a Family-Filled Curtain Call, Vegas Style |last=Rodgers |first=Lisa |work=Vegas Seven |date=November 11, 2014 |access-date=November 15, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115035440/http://vegasseven.com/2014/11/11/debbie-reynolds-one-last-song-in-the-rain/ |archive-date=November 15, 2014 |url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gallery/even-more-cameos-and-secrets-star-wars-force-awakens/2418123_all-crops-gallery-star-wars-vii-force-awakens-2015-billie-lourde |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': A collection of cameos and Easter eggs: Friend of the General |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221183433/http://www.ew.com/gallery/even-more-cameos-and-secrets-star-wars-force-awakens/2418123_all-crops-gallery-star-wars-vii-force-awakens-2015-billie-lourde |url-status=dead}} Members of the Resistance include Emun Elliott as Brance{{cite web |url=https://gamesradar.com/well-known-actors-bit-parts-star-wars-force-awakens |title=The famous actors you probably missed in Star Wars: The Force Awakens |first=Rosie |last=Fletcher |work=GamesRadar+ |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-date=March 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315130638/http://www.gamesradar.com/well-known-actors-bit-parts-star-wars-force-awakens/ |url-status=live}} and Maisie Richardson-Sellers as Korr Sella{{cite web |title=Maisie Richardson-Sellers confirms Star Wars The Force Awakens role |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/star-wars/11301933/Maisie-Richardson-Sellers-confirms-Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens-role.html |last=Vincent |first=Alice |date=December 18, 2014 |access-date=December 18, 2014 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |archive-date=December 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219103646/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/star-wars/11301933/Maisie-Richardson-Sellers-confirms-Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens-role.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} while Harriet Walter appears as Kalonia, the doctor who tends to Chewbacca.{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Ward |url=http://makingstarwars.net/2015/12/christopher-lees-niece-dame-harriet-mary-walter-cast-in-star-wars-the-force-awakens |title=Harriet Walter cast in Star Wars: The Force Awakens? |website=MakingStarWars.net |date=December 6, 2015 |access-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-date=March 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160319183905/http://makingstarwars.net/2015/12/christopher-lees-niece-dame-harriet-mary-walter-cast-in-star-wars-the-force-awakens |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/19/how-to-spot-all-the-star-wars-the-force-awakens-cameos-from-daniel-craig-to-radiohead.html |title=How to Spot All the 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Cameos, From Daniel Craig to Yoda |work=The Daily Beast |date=December 19, 2015 |access-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221200937/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/12/19/how-to-spot-all-the-star-wars-the-force-awakens-cameos-from-daniel-craig-to-radiohead.html |url-status=live}} Mark Stanley appears as a Knight of Ren. Sebastian Armesto portrays Lieutenant Mitaka and Pip Torrens portrays Colonel Kaplan, both serving the First Order.

Daniel Craig, Michael Giacchino, and Nigel Godrich cameo as stormtroopers.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/12/17/daniel-craig-makes-cameo-star-wars-force-awakens |title=Daniel Craig's Star Wars: The Force Awakens cameo revealed |first=Chris |last=Lee |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 17, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218005736/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/12/17/daniel-craig-makes-cameo-star-wars-force-awakens |url-status=live}}{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418178_gallery-501401198-michael-giacchino-493362428-nigel-godrich |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': A collection of cameos and Easter eggs: Musical Troopers |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220225603/http://www.ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418178_gallery-501401198-michael-giacchino-493362428-nigel-godrich |url-status=dead}} Abrams' assistant, Morgan Dameron, appears as a Resistance officer,{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418138_gallery-star-wars-force-awakens-poe-dameron-actor-oscar-isaac-jj-abrams-assistant-morgan |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': A collection of cameos and Easter eggs: The Real Dameron |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220225519/http://www.ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418138_gallery-star-wars-force-awakens-poe-dameron-actor-oscar-isaac-jj-abrams-assistant-morgan |url-status=dead}} while his father, Gerald W. Abrams, appears as Captain Cypress.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418143_gallery-ap885496303379-gerald-w-abrams-and-jj-abrams-seen-13th-annual-ves-awards-held-beverly |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': A collection of cameos and Easter eggs: Join Me, Father... |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220225526/http://www.ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418143_gallery-ap885496303379-gerald-w-abrams-and-jj-abrams-seen-13th-annual-ves-awards-held-beverly |url-status=dead}} Dialect coach Andrew Jack portrays Resistance Major Caluan Ematt.{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2020 |title=Covid 19 coronavirus: Chris Hemsworth, Gabrielle Rogers mourn Star Wars actor Andrew Jack |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/covid-19-coronavirus-chris-hemsworth-gabrielle-rogers-mourn-star-wars-actor-andrew-jack/KW6FN6N33Y2MUTBBNA4N4EEWUY/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211119001324/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/covid-19-coronavirus-chris-hemsworth-gabrielle-rogers-mourn-star-wars-actor-andrew-jack/KW6FN6N33Y2MUTBBNA4N4EEWUY/ |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |access-date=November 19, 2021 |website=The New Zealand Herald}} Additionally, Crystal Clarke, Pip Andersen,{{cite web |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-vii-production-update |title=Star Wars Episode VII Production Update |publisher=StarWars.com |date=July 6, 2014 |access-date=July 6, 2014 |archive-date=July 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140706204919/http://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-vii-production-update |url-status=live}} Christina Chong,{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/star-wars-episode-vii-casts-newcomer-christina-chong-1201264204/ |title='Star Wars Episode VII' Casts Newcomer Christna Chong |last=Kroll |first=Justin |work=Variety |date=July 17, 2014 |access-date=July 17, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719064034/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/star-wars-episode-vii-casts-newcomer-christina-chong-1201264204/ |archive-date=July 19, 2014 |df=mdy-all}} Miltos Yerolemou,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-29019238 |title=Game of Thrones swordsman joins Star Wars film |last=Mzimba |first=Lizo |publisher=BBC News |date=September 1, 2014 |access-date=September 1, 2014 |archive-date=September 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140902154002/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-29019238 |url-status=live}} Amybeth Hargreaves,{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/2015/01/18/star-wars-the-force-awakens-to-introduce-female-stormtrooper/ |title=Star Wars The Force Awakens To Introduce Female Stormtrooper |last=Upkins |first=Dennis |publisher=ComicBook.com |date=January 18, 2015 |access-date=January 18, 2015 |archive-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120224903/http://comicbook.com/2015/01/18/star-wars-the-force-awakens-to-introduce-female-stormtrooper |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Leanne Best,{{cite web |url=https://uk.yahoo.com/movies/star-wars-7-news-woman-in-black-2s-leanne-best-108645128366.html |title=Star Wars 7 News: Woman In Black 2's Leanne Best Outed As Castmember |publisher=Yahoo! |location=UK |last=Butler |first=Tom |date=January 20, 2015 |access-date=January 28, 2015 |archive-date=January 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126103234/https://uk.yahoo.com/movies/star-wars-7-news-woman-in-black-2s-leanne-best-108645128366.html |url-status=live}} Judah Friedlander,{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418153_gallery-483415833-judah-friedlander-star-wars-force-awakens-2015 |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': A collection of cameos and Easter eggs: Galactic Barstools |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220225536/http://www.ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418153_gallery-483415833-judah-friedlander-star-wars-force-awakens-2015 |url-status=dead}} and Kevin Smith appear in minor roles.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418148_gallery-150657865-kevin-smith-attends-star-wars-celebration-v-orange-county-convention-center |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': A collection of cameos and Easter eggs: {{em|The}} Kevin Smith |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220225528/http://www.ew.com/gallery/star-wars-easter-eggs-gallery/2418148_gallery-150657865-kevin-smith-attends-star-wars-celebration-v-orange-county-convention-center |url-status=dead}} Riot control stormtrooper FN-2199, who calls Finn a traitor during the battle on Takodana, was portrayed by stunt performer Liang Yang and voiced by sound editor David Acord.{{Cite web |last=McMillan |first=Graeme |date=January 7, 2016 |title=Lucasfilm Gives a Breakout 'Force Awakens' Stormtrooper His Own Name |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-force-awakens-lucasfilm-852975/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211106135255/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-force-awakens-lucasfilm-852975/ |archive-date=November 6, 2021 |access-date=November 8, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

Star Wars creator George Lucas discussed ideas for a sequel trilogy several times after the conclusion of the original trilogy, but denied any intent to make it.{{cite web |url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-lucas7-2008may07,0,7983947.story |title=George Lucas: 'Star Wars' won't go beyond Darth Vader |last=Boucher |first=Geoff |date=May 7, 2008 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=September 9, 2012 |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023143206/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-lucas7-2008may07,0,7983947.story |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} A seventh entry in the "Skywalker Saga", a nine-part Star Wars series,{{Cite web |last=Doña |first=Cathy |date=December 16, 2015 |title=Spotted: Kapuso stars at the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/20431/spotted-kapuso-stars-at-the-premiere-of-star-wars-the-force-awakens/story?amp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419060327/https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/showbiznews/news/20431/spotted-kapuso-stars-at-the-premiere-of-star-wars-the-force-awakens/story?amp |archive-date=April 19, 2022 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=GMA Network}}{{Cite web |last=Cohn |first=Gabe |date=September 2, 2019 |title=What We Know About Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/02/movies/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902091022/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/02/movies/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker.html |archive-date=September 2, 2019 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The New York Times}} began development shortly after Lucas sold his production company Lucasfilm to the Walt Disney Company in October 2012.{{Cite web |last=Graser |first=Marc |date=October 30, 2012 |title=Disney Buys LucasFilm, New Star Wars Planned |url=https://variety.com/2012/film/news/disney-buys-lucasfilm-new-star-wars-planned-1118061434/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403074009/https://variety.com/2012/film/news/disney-buys-lucasfilm-new-star-wars-planned-1118061434/ |archive-date=April 3, 2013 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=Variety}}{{Cite web |last1=Masters |first1=Kim |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=October 30, 2012 |title=What a New Star Wars Movie Might Look Like (Analysis) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/what-a-new-star-wars-384515/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507174543/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/what-a-new-star-wars-384515/ |archive-date=May 7, 2021 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |last=Enk |first=Bryan |date=October 30, 2012 |title=What The?! New Star Wars Movie In the Works? |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/yav1mj/disney-lucasfilm-star-wars |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325101845/https://www.mtv.com/news/yav1mj/disney-lucasfilm-star-wars |archive-date=March 25, 2024 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |website=MTV News}} Speaking alongside Lucasfilm's new president, Kathleen Kennedy, Lucas said: "I always said I wasn't going to do any more and that's true, because I'm not going to do any more, but that doesn't mean I'm unwilling to turn it over to Kathy to do more."{{cite web |last1=Nakashima |first1=Ryan |title=Disney to make new 'Star Wars' films, buy Lucas co |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/disney-star-wars-films-buy-210830937.html |publisher=Yahoo! Finance |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030233227/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/disney-star-wars-films-buy-210830937.html |archive-date=October 30, 2012 |url-status=live |location=Los Angeles, California |date=October 30, 2012}}

As creative consultant on the film, Lucas attended early story meetings and advised on the details of the Star Wars universe. Among the materials he turned over to the production team were his rough story treatments for Episodes VII–IX, which Lucas requested be read only by Kennedy, Bob Iger, Alan F. Horn, and Kevin A. Mayer. Lucas later said Disney had discarded his story ideas and that he had no further involvement with the film.{{cite news |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |title=George Lucas Says His Treatments for the New 'Star Wars' Films Were Discarded |date=January 21, 2015 |url=https://collider.com/george-lucas-new-star-wars-movies-treatments |publisher=Collider |access-date=January 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150127051200/http://collider.com/george-lucas-new-star-wars-movies-treatments/ |archive-date=January 27, 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://cinemablend.com/new/How-George-Lucas-Star-Wars-7-Ideas-Were-Used-By-Disney-69271.html |title=How George Lucas' Star Wars 7 Ideas Were Used By Disney |access-date=January 20, 2015 |publisher=CinemaBlend |date=January 19, 2015 |first=Nick |last=Romano |format=Written coverage/Video interview |archive-date=January 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121170747/http://www.cinemablend.com/new/How-George-Lucas-Star-Wars-7-Ideas-Were-Used-By-Disney-69271.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Star Wars Creator George Lucas Doesn't Know Force Awakens Story |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-creator |website=/Film |date=January 16, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |archive-date=January 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121083725/http://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-creator/ |url-status=live}} Lucas' son Jett told The Guardian that his father was "very torn" about having sold the rights to the franchise and that his father was "there to guide" but that "he wants to let it go and become its new generation".{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/09/star-wars-george-lucas-jj-abrams |title=Star Wars sequels: George Lucas 'constantly talking' to JJ Abrams |last=Child |first=Ben |date=October 9, 2013 |access-date=January 23, 2015 |work=The Guardian |location=UK |archive-date=October 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141010083951/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/oct/09/star-wars-george-lucas-jj-abrams |url-status=live}}

File:Kathleen Kennedy, J. J. Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan by Gage Skidmore (cropped).jpg, writer and director J. J. Abrams, and writer Lawrence Kasdan speaking at the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con]]

The Force Awakens{{'}} first screenplay was written by Michael Arndt.{{cite web |last=Brodesser-Akner |first=Claude |title=Update: Toy Story 3's Michael Arndt Confirmed As Star Wars: Episode VII Writer |url=https://www.vulture.com/2012/11/star-wars-episode-vii-may-have-found-its-writer.html |access-date=May 23, 2014 |work=Vulture |date=November 8, 2012 |archive-date=May 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524024731/http://www.vulture.com/2012/11/star-wars-episode-vii-may-have-found-its-writer.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} At the time of his hiring, Arndt was also tapped to pen story treatments for the following installments.{{cite web |last=Schaffer |first=Sandy |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-episode-7-story-michael-arndt/ |title=Star Wars: Episode 7 Story Already Finished By Toy Story 3 Writer [Updated] |date=November 9, 2012 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617153815/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-episode-7-story-michael-arndt/ |url-status=live }} Arndt took part in a writers room with Simon Kinberg, Lawrence Kasdan, Pablo Hidalgo, and Kiri Hart to discuss and plan the overall trilogy.{{cite web |last=Siegel |first=Tatianna |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/inside-star-wars-writers-room-846856/ |title=Inside the Star Wars Writers Room: Meet the 5 Architects of the Franchise |date=December 9, 2015 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617153815/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/inside-star-wars-writers-room-846856/ |url-status=live }} Early drafts had Luke Skywalker appear midway through the film, but Arndt found that "every time Luke came in and entered the movie, he just took it over. Suddenly you didn't care about your main character anymore."{{cite magazine |first=Anthony |last=Breznican |author-link=Anthony Breznican |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/12/20/jj-abrams-answers-burning-question-about-r2-d2-star-wars-force-awakens |title=J.J. Abrams explains R2-D2's closing scene in Star Wars: The Force Awakens |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 20, 2015 |access-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-date=January 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101010830/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/12/20/jj-abrams-answers-burning-question-about-r2-d2-star-wars-force-awakens |url-status=live}} The writers decided to use Luke as the film's MacGuffin and, as something that the protagonists needed to find, would not appear in person until the final scene. Arndt also developed some backstory elements for the returning characters from the original trilogy, such as how Leia was instrumental in rebuilding the Republic after the fall of the Empire before being discredited when it was publicly revealed that her biological father was Darth Vader (this would go on to become a central plot point in the canonical novel Star Wars: Bloodline).{{sfn|Szostak|2019|p=151}}

Several directors were considered, including David Fincher,{{cite news |author=Staff |url=http://www.totalfilm.com/news/david-fincher-discusses-meeting-disney-about-star-wars-episode-vii |title=David Fincher discusses meeting Disney about Star Wars: Episode VII |work=Total Film |date=September 29, 2014 |access-date=September 29, 2014 |archive-date=September 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140929171818/http://www.totalfilm.com/news/david-fincher-discusses-meeting-disney-about-star-wars-episode-vii |url-status=live}} Brad Bird,{{cite web |title=Brad Bird on 'Incredibles' Sequel: 'I Would Probably Wanna Do That' (Q&A) |last=Bernardin |first=Marc |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/brad-bird-incredibles-sequel-i-523427 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 16, 2013 |access-date=June 12, 2014 |archive-date=July 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720043847/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/brad-bird-incredibles-sequel-i-523427 |url-status=live}} Jon Favreau,{{cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-7-david-fincher-jon-favreau/ |title='Star Wars 7′: David Fincher, Jon Favreau Being Considered to Direct? |website=Screen Rant |date=November 30, 2012 |access-date=December 17, 2019 |archive-date=December 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218031950/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-7-david-fincher-jon-favreau/ |url-status=live}} and Guillermo del Toro.{{cite news |first=Kevin |last=Jagernauth |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/guillermo-del-toro-says-he-was-approached-for-star-wars-episode-7-would-have-loved-to-see-brad-bird-direct-the-sequel-20130107 |title=Guillermo Del Toro Says He Was Approached For 'Star Wars: Episode 7,' Would Have Loved To See Brad Bird Direct The Sequel |publisher=IndieWire |date=July 1, 2013 |access-date=September 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017050618/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/guillermo-del-toro-says-he-was-approached-for-star-wars-episode-7-would-have-loved-to-see-brad-bird-direct-the-sequel-20130107 |archive-date=October 17, 2014 |url-status=dead}} Bird was reportedly the "top choice" to helm the film, but his commitments to Tomorrowland forced him to withdraw.{{cite web |last=Sciretta |first=Peter |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/537449/jurassic-world-star-wars/ |title=How Brad Bird Almost Helming Star Wars Resulted In Colin Trevorrow Directing Jurassic World |date=April 28, 2015 |website=Slash Film |access-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617153815/https://www.slashfilm.com/537449/jurassic-world-star-wars/ |url-status=live }} Matthew Vaughn was an early candidate for the job, even dropping out of X-Men: Days of Future Past in favor for the film.{{cite web |last=Weintraub |first=Steve |url=https://collider.com/star-wars-episode-7-matthew-vaughn/ |title=Is Matthew Vaughn in Talks to Direct Star Wars: Episode VII? |date=November 5, 2012 |website=Collider |access-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617153820/https://collider.com/star-wars-episode-7-matthew-vaughn/ |url-status=live }} Colin Trevorrow was also under consideration by the studio, while Ben Affleck and Neill Blomkamp passed on the project.{{cite web |last=Dyce |first=Andrew |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-episode-7-colin-trevorrow-director-boba-fett/ |title=Director Colin Trevorrow Being Considered For Star Wars 7? |date=November 6, 2012 |website=Screen Rant |access-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617153815/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-episode-7-colin-trevorrow-director-boba-fett/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Jagernauth |first=Kevin |url=https://theplaylist.net/rumors-from-tatooine-colin-trevorrow-linked-to-star-wars-7-carrie-fisher-would-be-interested-to-return-20121107/ |title=Rumors From Tatooine: Colin Trevorrow Linked To Star Wars 7, Carrie Fisher Would Be Interested To Return |date=November 7, 2012 |website=The Playlist |access-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907050540/https://theplaylist.net/rumors-from-tatooine-colin-trevorrow-linked-to-star-wars-7-carrie-fisher-would-be-interested-to-return-20121107/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=O'Connell |first=Sean |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1527490/did-ben-affleck-almost-direct-a-star-wars-movie-heres-what-he-says |title=Did Ben Affleck Almost Direct A Star Wars Movie? Here's What He Says |date=June 24, 2016 |website=CinemaBlend |access-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617153815/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1527490/did-ben-affleck-almost-direct-a-star-wars-movie-heres-what-he-says |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |url=https://collider.com/district-10-news-neill-blomkamp-star-wars/ |title=Neill Blomkamp Says He's Written an 18-Page Treatment for District 10; Turned Down the Opportunity to Make a Star Wars Film |date=July 16, 2013 |website=Collider |access-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617153826/https://collider.com/district-10-news-neill-blomkamp-star-wars/ |url-status=live }} After a suggestion by Steven Spielberg to Kennedy,{{cite news |last1=de Moraes |first1=Lisa |title=Steven Spielberg Recommended J.J. Abrams For 'Star Wars' Says '60 Minutes' |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-jj-abrams-steven-spielberg-recommended-1201664881/ |access-date=January 16, 2016 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 10, 2015 |archive-date=January 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115061043/http://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-jj-abrams-steven-spielberg-recommended-1201664881/ |url-status=live}} J. J. Abrams was named director in January 2013,{{Cite web |first=Amelia |last=Hill |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jan/27/jj-abrams-star-wars-director |title=JJ Abrams named Star Wars VII director |date=January 27, 2013 |website=The Guardian |access-date=March 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331101532/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jan/27/jj-abrams-star-wars-director |archive-date=March 31, 2021 |url-status=live}} with Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg as project consultants.{{Cite web |first=Erica |last=Orden |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-SEB-73426 |title=In Addition to Sequels, Disney Developing Films Based on 'Star Wars' Characters |date=February 5, 2013 |website=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=March 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331101621/https://www.wsj.com/articles/BL-SEB-73426 |archive-date=March 31, 2021 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} Kasdan worked to convince Abrams to direct the film after the filmmaker initially rejected the offer.{{cite magazine |last=Rogers |first=Adam |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/11/lawrence-kasdan-qa/ |title=Star Wars Greatest Screenwriter Wrote All Your Other Favorite Movies Too |date=November 18, 2015 |magazine=Wired |access-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617153815/https://www.wired.com/2015/11/lawrence-kasdan-qa/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |url=https://collider.com/why-j-j-abrams-turned-down-star-wars-7-force-awakens/#:~:text=Speaking%20with%20Howard%20Stern%20on,I'd%20done%20Star%20Trek. |title=Star Wars: J.J. Abrams Explains Why He Turned Down, Then Said "Yes" to Force Awakens |date=November 30, 2015 |website=Collider |access-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-date=June 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617153826/https://collider.com/why-j-j-abrams-turned-down-star-wars-7-force-awakens/#:~:text=Speaking%20with%20Howard%20Stern%20on,I'd%20done%20Star%20Trek. |url-status=live }} Arndt worked on the script for eight months, but said he needed 18 more, which was more time than Disney or Abrams could give him.{{cite magazine |last=Hiatt |first=Brian |title='Star Wars' Strikes Back: Behind the Scenes of the Biggest Movie of the Year |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/star-wars-strikes-back-behind-the-scenes-of-the-biggest-movie-of-the-year-20151202 |access-date=December 22, 2015 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=December 2, 2015 |archive-date=February 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213015239/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/star-wars-strikes-back-behind-the-scenes-of-the-biggest-movie-of-the-year-20151202 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} The production announced Arndt's exit from the project on October 24, 2013. That same day, Kasdan and Abrams took over script duties,{{cite news |last=Kit |first=Borys |title=Writer Michael Arndt Exits 'Star Wars: Episode VII' |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/writer-michael-arndt-exits-star-650671 |access-date=October 24, 2013 |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 24, 2013 |archive-date=October 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026044912/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/writer-michael-arndt-exits-star-650671 |url-status=live}} both of whom planned the story while walking in Santa Monica, California, New York City, Paris, and London. The first draft was completed in six weeks.{{cite web |title=Star Wars screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan on the past, present and future of 'Star Wars' |url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-ca-hc-star-wars-lawrence-kasdan-20151206-story.html |first=Josh |last=Rottenberg |website=Los Angeles Times |date=December 3, 2015 |access-date=December 11, 2015 |archive-date=December 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211082129/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-ca-hc-star-wars-lawrence-kasdan-20151206-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Abrams said the key to the film was that it return to the roots of the first Star Wars films and be based more on emotion than explanation.{{cite web |url=http://www.parismatch.com/Culture/Livres/J-J-Abrams-un-livre-et-des-etoiles-549747 |title=J.J. Abrams un livre et des étoiles |trans-title=J.J. Abrams a book and stars |last=Micke |first=Sébastien |work=Paris Match |language=French |date=February 22, 2014 |access-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523225915/http://www.parismatch.com/Culture/Livres/J-J-Abrams-un-livre-et-des-etoiles-549747 |url-status=live}} In January 2014, Abrams confirmed that the script was complete.{{cite web |url=https://thewrap.com/j-j-abrams-says-star-wars-episode-vii-script-done-confirms-jesse-plemons-talks |last=Molloy |first=Tim |title=J.J. Abrams Says 'Star Wars Episode VII' Script Done, Confirms Jesse Plemons Talks |work=TheWrap |date=January 19, 2014 |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-date=January 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140121010208/http://www.thewrap.com/j-j-abrams-says-star-wars-episode-vii-script-done-confirms-jesse-plemons-talks/ |url-status=live}} In April 2014, Lucasfilm clarified that Episodes VII–IX would not feature storylines from the Star Wars expanded universe, though other elements could be included, as with the TV series Star Wars Rebels.{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/articles/2014/04/25/lucasfilm-clarifies-star-wars-expanded-universe |title=Lucasfilm Clarifies Star Wars Expanded Universe |last=Nicholson |first=Matt |date=April 25, 2014 |website=IGN |access-date=May 1, 2014 |archive-date=May 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502010126/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/04/25/lucasfilm-clarifies-star-wars-expanded-universe |url-status=live}}

Abrams stated that he purposely withheld some plot elements from The Force Awakens, such as Rey and Finn's last names and backgrounds. Kennedy admitted that "we haven't mapped out every single detail [of the sequel trilogy] yet", but said that Abrams was collaborating with The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson, and that Johnson would work with The Rise of Skywalker{{'}}s then-director Colin Trevorrow to ensure a smooth transition and that "everybody's got a say in how we move forward with this".{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-finn-rey-solo-episode-8-9-backstory-force-awakens-spoilers-1201655284/ |title=Star Wars Actor John Boyega on Finn's Past: 'I've Got Some Conspiracy Theories' |last=Prudom |first=Laura |work=Variety |date=December 7, 2015 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |archive-date=December 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151231191059/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-finn-rey-solo-episode-8-9-backstory-force-awakens-spoilers-1201655284/ |url-status=live}} Daisy Ridley later recounted that J. J. Abrams had written drafts for episodes 8 and 9.{{Cite web |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-8-9-jj-abrams-script/ |title=Daisy Ridley: J.J. Abrams Wrote Drafts For Star Wars 8 & 9 |website=Screen Rant |date=March 2018 |access-date=2020-12-03 |archive-date=2020-11-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112043747/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-8-9-jj-abrams-script/ |url-status=live}}

A fictional language was developed for use in the film by YouTube star Sara Forsberg, who created the viral video series "What Languages Sound Like To Foreigners"; Forsberg developed the language by studying various languages, such as Hindi and Gujarati.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-sara-maria-forsberg-language-1201663521 |title='Star Wars': YouTube Star Creates New Language For Aliens |last=Rizzo |first=Carita |date=December 16, 2015 |work=Variety |access-date=January 10, 2016 |archive-date=January 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120084600/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-sara-maria-forsberg-language-1201663521/ |url-status=live}}

In November 2015, Lucas recorded an hour-long interview with CBS News reporter Charlie Rose in which he said Disney had not been "keen" to involve him and conceded: "If I get in there, I'm just going to cause trouble because they're not going to do what I want them to do, and I don't have the control to do that any more, and all it would do is just muck everything up."{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/george-lucas-star-wars-7-new-trilogy-consulting-split |title=Star Wars: George Lucas and Disney Disagreed on New Films |last=Goldberg |first=Matt |date=November 20, 2015 |publisher=Collider |access-date=November 21, 2015 |archive-date=November 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121164050/http://collider.com/george-lucas-star-wars-7-new-trilogy-consulting-split/ |url-status=live}} He also said, "They wanted to do a retro movie. I don't like that. Every movie, I worked very hard to make them different [...] I made them completely different—different planets, different spaceships to make it new."{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/31/movies/george-lucas-criticizes-latest-star-wars-installment.html |title=George Lucas Criticizes Latest 'Star Wars' Installment |last=Stack |first=Liam |date=December 31, 2015 |work=The New York Times |access-date=December 31, 2015 |archive-date=January 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101052721/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/31/movies/george-lucas-criticizes-latest-star-wars-installment.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/george-lucas-quips-he-sold-851545 |title=George Lucas Quips He Sold 'Star Wars' to 'White Slavers'; Criticizes 'Retro' Tone of New Film |last=Parker |first=Ryan |date=December 30, 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=December 31, 2015 |archive-date=January 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101174354/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/george-lucas-quips-he-sold-851545 |url-status=live}} In early December 2015, Kathleen Kennedy told The Hollywood Reporter that Lucas had seen the movie and "liked it".{{cite news |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/george-lucas-attend-star-wars-845948 |title=George Lucas to Attend 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Premiere: 'He Really Liked It' (Exclusive) |last=Masters |first=Kim |date=December 31, 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=September 15, 2016 |archive-date=October 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009082226/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/george-lucas-attend-star-wars-845948 |url-status=live}} In the same month, at the Kennedy Center Honors, Lucas stated, "I think the fans are going to love it, It's very much the kind of movie they've been looking for."{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2015/12/george-lucas-delivers-a-verdict-on-force-awakens.html# |title=George Lucas Delivered His Verdict on The Force Awakens |last=Chaney |first=Jen |date=December 7, 2015 |work=Vulture |access-date=September 15, 2016 |archive-date=December 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208151754/http://www.vulture.com/2015/12/george-lucas-delivers-a-verdict-on-force-awakens.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Abrams felt that, as the first in a new trilogy, the film "needed to take a couple of steps backwards into very familiar terrain" and use plot elements from previous Star Wars films.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/race/awards-chatter-podcast-jj-abrams-853171 |title='Awards Chatter' Podcast – J.J. Abrams ('Star Wars: The Force Awakens') |last=Feinberg |first=Scott |date=January 8, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=February 7, 2016 |archive-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206151347/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/awards-chatter-podcast-jj-abrams-853171 |url-status=live}}

In May 2013, it was confirmed that The Force Awakens would be filmed in the United Kingdom. Representatives from Lucasfilm met with Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne to agree to produce The Force Awakens in the UK.{{Cite web |date=May 11, 2013 |title=Star Wars to be filmed in Britain, says Lucasfilm president |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/may/11/star-wars-filmed-in-britain-lucasfilm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211117030249/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/may/11/star-wars-filmed-in-britain-lucasfilm |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |access-date=November 17, 2021 |website=The Guardian}} Osborne committed £25 million of public money towards the film, claiming it was a boost for British culture and its film industry.{{cite news |last1=Dathan |first1=Matt |title=Star Wars: George Osborne criticised after being given The Force Awakens credit |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/star-wars-george-osborne-given-credit-in-the-force-awakens-a6778246.html |website=The Independent |access-date=December 19, 2015 |date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219102711/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/star-wars-george-osborne-given-credit-in-the-force-awakens-a6778246.html |url-status=live}} According to production company account filings in the United Kingdom, The Force Awakens ultimately received a total of £31.6 million ($47.4 million) from the government.{{Cite web |url=http://www.politico.eu/blogs/spence-on-media/2016/03/star-wars-disney-got-31-million-from-uk-taxman-for-force-awakens/ |title=Star Wars: Disney got £31 million from UK taxman for Force Awakens |website=Politico Europe |last=Spence |first=Alex |date=March 9, 2016 |access-date=August 15, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310130814/http://www.politico.eu/blogs/spence-on-media/2016/03/star-wars-disney-got-31-million-from-uk-taxman-for-force-awakens/ |archive-date=March 10, 2016}}

Beginning in September 2013, production spaces at the Bad Robot facility were converted for shooting of The Force Awakens for the benefit of shooting a minor portion of the film in the United States.{{cite web |last=Abramian |first=Alexandria |title=Source: J.J. Abrams Building 'Star Wars' Postproduction Facility in L.A. (Exclusive) |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-j-j-abrams-625516 |access-date=March 19, 2014 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 11, 2013 |archive-date=April 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420083306/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-j-j-abrams-625516 |url-status=live}} The film's costume designer was Michael Kaplan, who had previously worked with Abrams on the films Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness (2013).{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/articles/2013/05/19/star-trek-costume-designer-joins-star-wars-vii-crew |title=Star Trek Costume Designer Joins Star Wars VII Crew |last=Butler |first=Tom |website=IGN |date=May 19, 2013 |access-date=May 19, 2013 |archive-date=June 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130607120618/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/19/star-trek-costume-designer-joins-star-wars-vii-crew |url-status=live}} Film editors Mary Jo Markey and Maryann Brandon, long-term collaborators with Abrams, were also signed.{{cite web |url=http://www.studiodaily.com/2013/05/maryann-brandon-and-mary-jo-markey-on-cutting-star-trek-into-darkness |title=Maryann Brandon and Mary Jo Markey on Cutting Star Trek Into Darkness |first=Beth |last=Merchant |work=Studio Daily |date=May 22, 2013 |access-date=May 26, 2013 |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608002252/http://www.studiodaily.com/2013/05/maryann-brandon-and-mary-jo-markey-on-cutting-star-trek-into-darkness/ |url-status=live}} In August 2013, it was announced that cinematographer Daniel Mindel would be shooting the film on 35 mm film (specifically Kodak 5219).{{cite web |url=https://thewrap.com/movies/column-post/jj-abrams-hires-familiar-cinematographer-shoot-star-wars-episode-vii-35mm-film-112771 |title=J.J. Abrams Hires 'Star Trek' Cinematographer to Shoot 'Star Wars: Episode VII' on 35MM Film |first=Jeff |last=Sneider |website=TheWrap |date=August 22, 2013 |access-date=August 23, 2013 |archive-date=August 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130823000213/http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/jj-abrams-hires-familiar-cinematographer-shoot-star-wars-episode-vii-35mm-film-112771 |url-status=live}} In October 2013, other crew members were confirmed, including sound designer Ben Burtt, director of photography Mindel, production designers Rick Carter and Darren Gilford, costume designer Michael Kaplan, special effects supervisor Chris Corbould, re-recording mixer Gary Rydstrom, supervising sound editor Matthew Wood, visual effects supervisors Roger Guyett, and executive producer Jason McGatlin.{{Cite web |last=Collura |first=Scott |date=October 24, 2013 |title=J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan Take Over Star Wars: Episode VII Screenplay Duties |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/24/jj-abrams-and-lawrence-kasdan-take-over-star-wars-episode-vii-screenplay-duties |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211120133944/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/10/24/jj-abrams-and-lawrence-kasdan-take-over-star-wars-episode-vii-screenplay-duties |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |access-date=November 20, 2021 |website=IGN}}

Open auditions were held in the United Kingdom and the United States in November 2013 for the roles of "Rachel" and "Thomas".{{cite web |title=Star Wars open auditions venue and dates change |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24909892 |publisher=BBC News |date=November 12, 2013 |access-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523182104/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24909892 |url-status=live}} Casting began in earnest in January 2014, because of changes to the script by Kasdan and Abrams.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/05/15/star-wars-episode-vii-new-hope-really/ |title='Star Wars Episode VII': A New Hope (Really) |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 15, 2014 |access-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202061200/https://ew.com/article/2014/05/15/star-wars-episode-vii-new-hope-really/ |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |url-status=live}} Screen tests with actors continued until at least three weeks before the official announcement in April 2014, with final casting decisions made only a few weeks earlier. Actors testing had strict nondisclosure agreements, preventing them, their agents or their publicists from commenting on their involvement. Though Lucas intimated that previous cast members Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, and Mark Hamill would return for the new film as early as March 2013,{{cite web |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars |title=How Disney Bought Lucasfilm—and Its Plans for 'Star Wars' |last=Leonard |first=Devin |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |date=March 7, 2013 |access-date=May 26, 2013 |archive-date=September 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930150541/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-03-07/how-disney-bought-lucasfilm-and-its-plans-for-star-wars |url-status=dead |url-access=subscription}} their casting was not confirmed until over a year later. Fisher returned as she was impressed with the pitch of the new trilogy.{{Cite magazine |last=Hiatt |first=Brian |date=December 9, 2015 |title=Carrie Fisher: 'I've Always Been in 'Star Wars" |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/carrie-fisher-on-the-force-awakens-ive-always-been-in-star-wars-55662/ |magazine=Rolling Stone}}

Abrams set out to have a more diverse cast than previous installments.{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/star-wars-4-1201125355/ |title=Star Wars Episode VII: Actors Battle for Lead Role (EXCLUSIVE) |date=March 12, 2014 |website=Variety |access-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029100330/https://variety.com/2014/film/news/star-wars-4-1201125355/ |url-status=live }} A very early report claimed the studio wanted Ryan Gosling, Leonardo DiCaprio and Zac Efron for roles.{{cite web |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |url=https://collider.com/star-wars-7-ryan-gosling-zac-efron/ |title=Rumor: Ryan Gosling and Zac Efron Eyed for Star Wars: Episode VII |date=July 24, 2013 |website=Collider |access-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621173534/https://collider.com/star-wars-7-ryan-gosling-zac-efron/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Drew |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2013/07/ryan-gosling-leonardo-dicaprio-zac-efron-met-with-disney-j-j-abrams-about-star-wars-7-maybe-95545/ |title=Ryan Gosling, Leonardo DiCaprio & Zac Efron Met With Disney & J.J. Abrams About Star Wars 7, Maybe |date=July 24, 2013 |website=IndieWire |access-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-date=December 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208040121/https://www.indiewire.com/2013/07/ryan-gosling-leonardo-dicaprio-zac-efron-met-with-disney-j-j-abrams-about-star-wars-7-maybe-95545/ |url-status=live }} In September 2013, Michael B. Jordan, Saoirse Ronan, and David Oyelowo were among the first to meet with the director.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Nick |url=https://screencrush.com/star-wars-episode-7-michael-b-jordan-david-oyelowo/ |title=Star Wars: Episode 7: Michael B. Jordan and David Oyelowo Looking to Join? |date=September 20, 2013 |website=ScreenCrush |access-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-date=October 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025225347/https://screencrush.com/star-wars-episode-7-michael-b-jordan-david-oyelowo/ |url-status=live }} In January 2014, The Hollywood Reporter revealed Benedict Cumberbatch, Jack O'Connell, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alex Pettyfer, Jesse Plemons, Sullivan Stapleton, Tye Sheridan, Hugo Weaving, Michael Fassbender, and Adam Driver all met with Abrams for the film. The role Sheridan met for was ultimately rewritten to be played by a 40 year old actor, while Weaving was in talks for an "Imperial commander".{{cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-rumors-who-is-669997/ |title=Star Wars Rumors: Who Is J.J. Abrams Eyeing for Episode VII |date=January 11, 2014 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622193006/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-rumors-who-is-669997/ |url-status=live }} Ronan, Jordan, Frida Gustavsson, and later Miles Teller would go on to confirm their auditions for the film.{{cite news |title=Saoirse Ronan Confirms She Did Audition For 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Role, But 'So Did Everyone' |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/01/saoirse-ronan-star-wars_n_4023967.html |date=October 1, 2013 |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=October 1, 2013 |first=Matthew |last=Jacobs |archive-date=October 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131001225125/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/01/saoirse-ronan-star-wars_n_4023967.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Michael B. Jordan Confirms 'Star Wars' Rumor |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/10/michael-b-jordan-star-wars_n_4078714.html |first=Ryan |last=Pearson |date=October 10, 2013 |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-date=November 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109063355/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/10/michael-b-jordan-star-wars_n_4078714.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thefrontrowview.com/2014/11/frida-gustavsson-confirms-shes-quitting.html |title=Frida Gustavsson |quote=She has said that she is not necessarily drawn to a Hollywood style career, although she recently auditioned for the new Star Wars film but did not get the part. |date=12 November 2014 |access-date=2020-08-17 |work=TheFrontRowView |archive-date=2020-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927071021/http://www.thefrontrowview.com/2014/11/frida-gustavsson-confirms-shes-quitting.html |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Brian |url=https://movieweb.com/miles-teller-talks-the-fantastic-four-and-star-wars-7/ |title=Miles Teller Talks The Fantastic Four and Star Wars 7 |date=January 23, 2014 |website=MovieWeb |access-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-date=September 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230907050527/https://movieweb.com/miles-teller-talks-the-fantastic-four-and-star-wars-7/ |url-status=live }} Industry publications speculated that Plemons could possibly be playing Luke Skywalker's son.{{cite news |url=https://thewrap.com/star-wars-episode-vii-jesse-plemons-breaking-bad |title='Breaking Bad's' Jesse Plemons Eyed for Lead in 'Star Wars: Episode VII' (Exclusive) |last=Sneider |first=Jeff |work=TheWrap |date=January 10, 2014 |access-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-date=May 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524004103/http://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-episode-vii-jesse-plemons-breaking-bad/ |url-status=live}} In February, Driver was in final negotiations for an unnamed villain, while Gary Oldman revealed he was approached for an undisclosed role.{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/star-wars-villain-adam-driver-girls-1201121646 |title='Star Wars': Adam Driver Near Deal to Play the Villain (Exclusive) |last=Kroll |first=Justin |work=Variety |date=February 26, 2014 |access-date=February 27, 2014 |archive-date=February 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227071128/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/star-wars-villain-adam-driver-girls-1201121646/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Child |first=Ben |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/feb/07/gary-oldman-star-wars-episode-vii-7-role-jj-abrams |title=Gary Oldman Reveals Talks Over Star Wars: Episode VII Role |date=February 7, 2014 |website=The Guardian |access-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510120601/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/feb/07/gary-oldman-star-wars-episode-vii-7-role-jj-abrams |url-status=live }} Driver was initially hesitant to take on the role of Kylo Ren as he was "leery on big movies" and felt characters get sacrificed to speculate, but the character's complicated nature led him to take it.{{cite web |url=https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/adam-driver-star-wars-the-last-jedi |title=Adam Driver: Star Wars' millenial Darth Vader |work=GQ |last=Bhattacharji |first=Alex |date=December 12, 2017 |access-date=March 25, 2025}} In March, John Boyega, Plemons, Ray Fisher, Matthew James Thomas and Ed Speleers were Abrams' top choice for the lead role. Boyega began talks after dropping out of the Jesse Owens biopic Race.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-vii-cast-how-699964 |title=How 'Star Wars' Director J.J. Abrams Kept the Cast Secret |last=Kit |first=Borys |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=April 30, 2014 |access-date=April 30, 2014 |archive-date=May 3, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503022957/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-vii-cast-how-699964 |url-status=live}} That same month, Lupita Nyong'o was said to have met also met with Abrams for the female lead.{{cite news |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lupita-nyongo-meets-jj-abrams-688787 |title=Lupita Nyong'o Meets With J.J. Abrams for 'Star Wars: Episode VII' |last=Kit |first=Borys |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=March 14, 2014 |access-date=March 17, 2014 |archive-date=March 16, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316205707/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lupita-nyongo-meets-jj-abrams-688787 |url-status=live}} In April 2014, Plemons and Thomas were no longer in contention for the film.{{cite web |last1=Kir |first1=Borys |last2=Ford |first2=Rebecca |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-vii-is-jesse-693031/ |title=With Black Mass Casting, Jesse Plemons Likely Out of Star Wars: VII |date=April 2, 2014 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621173542/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-vii-is-jesse-693031/ |url-status=live }} That same month, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, an "unknown Oxford actress", and Dev Patel were up for unknown roles.{{cite news |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-vii-speculation-693268 |title='Star Wars: Episode VII' Speculation Centers on Unknown Oxford Actress |last=Kit |first=Borys |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=April 9, 2014 |access-date=April 9, 2014 |archive-date=April 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411024619/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-vii-speculation-693268 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Jagernauth |first=Kevin |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2014/05/dev-patel-tested-for-star-wars-episode-7-in-past-few-weeks-but-didnt-get-cast-86496/ |title=Dev Patel Tested For Star Wars: Episode 7 In Past Few Weeks, But Didn't Get Cast |date=May 1, 2014 |website=IndieWire |access-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622193006/https://www.indiewire.com/2014/05/dev-patel-tested-for-star-wars-episode-7-in-past-few-weeks-but-didnt-get-cast-86496/ |url-status=live }} Ronan, Richardson-Sellers, Courtney Eaton, Eiza Gonzalez, Elizabeth Olsen and Jessica Henwick auditioned for Rey.{{cite web |last=Burlingame |first=Russ |url=https://comicbook.com/starwars/news/star-wars-force-awakens-maisie-richardson-auditioned-rey/ |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Maisie Richardson-Sellers Originally Auditioned for Another Role |date=July 27, 2020 |website=Comic Book |access-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622193006/https://comicbook.com/starwars/news/star-wars-force-awakens-maisie-richardson-auditioned-rey/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Barfield |first=Charles |url=https://theplaylist.net/eiza-gonzalez-star-wars-force-awakens-mother-20210326/ |title=Star Wars: Eiza Gonzalez Made It "Pretty Far" In The Rey Audition Process Thanks To Her Mom |date=March 26, 2021 |website=The Playlist |access-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621173534/https://theplaylist.net/eiza-gonzalez-star-wars-force-awakens-mother-20210326/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.sensacine.com.mx/noticias/noticia-18574238/ |website=Sensacine Mexico |title=Esta actriz de Marvel estuvo a punto de interpretar a Rey en Star Wars |first=Jennifer |last=Olvera |date=4 May 2022 |access-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702072001/https://www.sensacine.com.mx/noticias/noticia-18574238/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Davids |first=Brian |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/underwater-jessica-henwick-had-6-month-star-wars-audition-rey-1268648/ |title=Jessica Henwick on Underwater and Her 6-Month Star Wars Audition |date=January 10, 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621173549/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/underwater-jessica-henwick-had-6-month-star-wars-audition-rey-1268648/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/courtney-eaton-and-simone-kessell-have-a-meeting-of-the-lotties | title=Courtney Eaton and Simone Kessell Have a Meeting of the Lotties | date=May 26, 2023 }} Joseph David-Jones, Tom Holland, and Daryl McCormack were later reported to have auditioned for Finn while McCormack made it to the final round of auditions for the part.{{Cite web |url=https://people.com/movies/tom-holland-discusses-how-he-blew-his-audition-for-star-wars/ |title=Tom Holland Discusses How He Blew His Audition for Star Wars: 'I Just Couldn't Stop Laughing' |first=Dan |last=Heching |date=December 10, 2021 |website=People |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510120513/https://people.com/movies/tom-holland-discusses-how-he-blew-his-audition-for-star-wars/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.looper.com/648586/joseph-david-jones-dishes-about-his-4400-role-representation-and-his-time-in-the-arrowverse-exclusive-interview/ |title=Joseph David-Jones Dishes About His 4400 Role, Representation, and His Time in the Arrowverse |first=Xandra |last=Harbet |date=November 1, 2021 |access-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-date=January 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109211136/https://www.looper.com/648586/joseph-david-jones-dishes-about-his-4400-role-representation-and-his-time-in-the-arrowverse-exclusive-interview/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://m.independent.ie/entertainment/irish-actor-daryl-mccormack-has-star-wars-hopes-dashedbut-jj-abrams-tips-him-as-one-to-watch-30010240.html |title=Irish actor Daryl McCormack has Star Wars hopes dashed...but JJ Abrams tips him as one to watch |date=February 14, 2014 |access-date=June 20, 2022 |archive-date=May 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510120627/https://widgets.outbrain.com/nanoWidget/externals/topics/topics.html?r=https%3A%2F%2Fm.independent.ie |url-status=live }} Eddie Redmayne and Joel Kinnaman tested for Kylo Ren.{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/11/08/eddie-redmayne-kylo-ren-star-wars-audition/ |title=Eddie Redmayne Reveals He Auditioned to Play Kylo Ren in 'Star Wars' |first=Devan |last=Coggan |date=November 8, 2016 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227220307/https://ew.com/article/2016/11/08/eddie-redmayne-kylo-ren-star-wars-audition/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/adam-driver-play-villain-star-683821/ |title=Adam Driver to Play Villain in Star Wars: Episode VII |date=February 26, 2014 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-date=June 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622193008/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/adam-driver-play-villain-star-683821/ |url-status=live }}

Daisy Ridley was cast by February 2014, and by the end of that month a deal had been worked out with Driver, who was able to work around his Girls schedule. Talks with Andy Serkis and Oscar Isaac began by March and continued into April. Denis Lawson, who played Wedge Antilles in the original trilogy, declined to reprise his role, saying it would have "bored" him.{{cite web |url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/perth-kinross/new-star-wars-films-would-have-bored-me-says-scots-actor-denis-lawson-1.353349 |title=New Star Wars films 'would have bored me', says Scots actor Denis Lawson |last=Topping |first=Kirsty |work=The Courier |date=May 5, 2014 |access-date=May 11, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215343/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/news/local/perth-kinross/new-star-wars-films-would-have-bored-me-says-scots-actor-denis-lawson-1.353349 |archive-date=May 12, 2014}}

In April, Ridley, Boyega, Isaac, Driver, Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow were announced as part of the cast; while Ford, Hamill, Fisher, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Baker reprised their roles from the original trilogy.{{Cite web |last1=Ford |first1=Rebecca |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |date=April 29, 2014 |title='Star Wars: Episode VII' Cast Revealed |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-episode-vii-cast-698480/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211104044839/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-episode-vii-cast-698480/ |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=November 4, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} Boyega said that he got the role of Finn after Tom Cruise introduced him to Abrams.{{cite web | url=https://www.thepopverse.com/movies-star-wars-finn-john-boyega-tom-cruise-jj-abrams-eccc-2025 | title=How Tom Cruise got John Boyega cast in Star Wars: The Force Awakens | date=March 14, 2025 }} In June, cast additions Lupita Nyong'o and Gwendoline Christie were announced.{{Cite magazine |last=Feeney |first=Nolan |date=June 2, 2014 |title=Lupita Nyong'o, Gwendoline Christie Join New Star Wars Film Cast |url=https://time.com/2809562/lupita-nyongo-gwendoline-christie-star-wars/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211104222613/https://time.com/2809562/lupita-nyongo-gwendoline-christie-star-wars/ |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=November 5, 2021 |magazine=Time}} To prepare for his role, Hamill was assigned a personal trainer and a nutritionist at the request of the producers, who wanted him to resemble an older Luke.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a493251/star-wars-7-actors-mark-hamill-carrie-fisher-told-to-lose-weight.html |title='Star Wars 7' actors Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher 'told to lose weight' |last=Earnes |first=Tom |date=June 26, 2013 |website=Digital Spy |access-date=May 1, 2014 |archive-date=May 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502001641/http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/news/a493251/star-wars-7-actors-mark-hamill-carrie-fisher-told-to-lose-weight.html |url-status=live}} Fisher was also assigned a personal trainer and a nutritionist, but she refused to lose weight.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2015/dec/01/carrie-fisher-weight-loss-star-wars-the-force-awakens|title=Carrie Fisher: I felt pressured to lose weight for Star Wars: The Force Awakens|first=Ben|last=Child|work=The Guardian |date=December 1, 2015}} Abrams initially considered using Daniels only in a voice role for C-3PO,{{cite web |last1=Eisenberg |first1=Eric |title=Star Wars' C-3PO Demanded These 2 Things From J.J. Abrams Before Signing His Contract |date=September 16, 2014 |url=https://cinemablend.com/new/Star-Wars-C-3PO-Demanded-2-Things-From-J-J-Abrams-Signing-His-Contract-67244.html |publisher=CinemaBlend |access-date=December 14, 2015 |archive-date=November 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128072215/http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Star-Wars-C-3PO-Demanded-2-Things-From-J-J-Abrams-Signing-His-Contract-67244.html |url-status=live}} but Daniels opted to reprise the role physically as well; the production team built a new C-3PO costume to accommodate him.{{cite magazine |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/09/16/star-wars-anthony-daniels-interview/2 |title=Anthony Daniels' deep-dive 'Star Wars' interview: C-3PO's past, present and future |last=Hibberd |first=James |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=September 16, 2014 |access-date=September 19, 2014 |archive-date=September 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140919011209/http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/09/16/star-wars-anthony-daniels-interview/2/ |url-status=dead}} A flashback scene was cut from Rey's vision (following her discovery of Luke's lightsaber), which would have featured Robert Boulter standing in for Luke as he appeared in his duel with Vader in The Empire Strikes Back.{{cite web |url=https://movieweb.com/the-force-awakens-young-luke-skywalker-photo/ |title=Young Luke Skywalker Revealed in The Force Awakens Deleted Flashback |last=Scott |first=Ryan |date=November 26, 2018 |publisher=MovieWeb |access-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127034634/https://movieweb.com/the-force-awakens-young-luke-skywalker-photo/ |url-status=live}}

In May, Abrams announced a donation contest for UNICEF from the Star Wars set in Abu Dhabi; the winner was allowed to visit the set, meet members of the cast and appear in the film.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-vii-jj-706179 |title='Star Wars: Episode VII': J.J. Abrams Offers Fans a Chance to Be in Movie |last=THR Staff |date=May 21, 2014 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523175540/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-vii-jj-706179 |url-status=live}} In October, Warwick Davis, who played Wicket in Return of the Jedi, as well as Wald and Weazle in The Phantom Menace (1999), announced that he would appear in The Force Awakens, but did not reveal his role.{{cite web |url=https://comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=124098 |title=Warwick Davis Will Return for Star Wars: Episode VII, Plus Darth Vader's Star Wars Rebels Appearance Revealed |publisher=ComingSoon.net |date=October 16, 2014 |access-date=November 14, 2014 |archive-date=November 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141113104918/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=124098 |url-status=live}} In November, Debbie Reynolds confirmed that her granddaughter (Fisher's daughter), Billie Lourd, was in the film. Lourd first auditioned for the role of Rey prior to her casting.{{cite web |last=Nyren |first=Erin |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/billie-lourd-rey-star-wars-audition-ellen-show-1202557023/ |title=Billie Lourd Originally Auditioned for Rey Role in Star Wars |date=September 13, 2017 |website=Variety |access-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-date=June 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621173542/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/billie-lourd-rey-star-wars-audition-ellen-show-1202557023/ |url-status=live }}

File:Rust-tinged ranges (4185709574).jpg desert around Liwa Oasis in the United Arab Emirates was used as filming location for planet Jakku.]]

In February 2014, Abrams said filming would begin in May and last about three months. The official announcement came in March, when Disney and Lucasfilm announced that principal photography would commence in May and be based at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26639322 |title=Episode VII filming to begin in UK in May |publisher=BBC News |date=March 18, 2014 |access-date=March 18, 2014 |archive-date=March 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319001533/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26639322 |url-status=live}} That month, it was revealed that pre-production filming would take place in Iceland prior to the start of official filming in May, consisting of landscape shots that would be used for scenery in the film.{{cite web |title=Star Wars: Episode VII Likely Shooting in Iceland; Is the Movie Going Back to Hoth? |url=https://collider.com/star-wars-episode-7-hoth-iceland/ |last=Goldberg |first=Matt |publisher=Collider |date=March 25, 2014 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130041026/https://collider.com/star-wars-episode-7-hoth-iceland/ |url-status=live}} In April, Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn confirmed that filming had begun,{{cite news |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-chief-reveals-star-wars-693950 |title=Disney Chief Reveals 'Star Wars: VII' Casting Almost Complete, Says Film Is Already Shooting (Video) |last=Appelo |first=Tim |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=April 5, 2014 |access-date=April 6, 2014 |archive-date=April 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406155802/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/disney-chief-reveals-star-wars-693950 |url-status=live}} filming in secret in the United Arab Emirates around Liwa Oasis, part of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, by a second unit.{{cite web |url=http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/disney-confirms-that-star-wars-episode-7-is-filming-in-abu-dhabi-desert |title=Disney confirms that Star Wars: Episode 7 is filming in Abu Dhabi desert |last=Newbould |first=Chris |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |date=April 23, 2014 |access-date=April 25, 2014 |archive-date=April 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424130923/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/disney-confirms-that-star-wars-episode-7-is-filming-in-abu-dhabi-desert |url-status=live}} Later that month, it was revealed that in addition to 35 mm film, segments of the film were being shot in the 65 mm IMAX format.{{cite web |url=http://cinefex.com/blog/film-renaissance |title=Film Renaissance |last=Fordham |first=Joe |work=Cinefex |date=April 20, 2014 |access-date=April 27, 2014 |archive-date=April 27, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427205916/http://cinefex.com/blog/film-renaissance/ |url-status=dead}} In July, Bad Robot reported that the film would be at least partially shot on IMAX cameras.{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-7-imax-2 |title='Star Wars Episode VII' Is Filming in IMAX |last=Lussier |first=Germain |website=/Film |date=July 8, 2014 |access-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-date=July 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709110318/http://www.slashfilm.com/star-wars-7-imax-2/ |url-status=live}}

Principal photography began in Abu Dhabi on May 16, 2014.{{cite web |last=Hamad |first=Marwa |title='Star Wars' begins filming on Friday in Abu Dhabi |url=http://gulfnews.com/arts-entertainment/film/movie-news/star-wars-begins-filming-on-friday-in-abu-dhabi-1.1333146 |work=Gulf News |access-date=May 23, 2014 |date=May 15, 2014 |archive-date=May 22, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522150840/http://gulfnews.com/arts-entertainment/film/movie-news/star-wars-begins-filming-on-friday-in-abu-dhabi-1.1333146 |url-status=live}} The budget was initially estimated to be between $259 million and $306 million,{{Cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |title=California Was World's Top Film Production Center in 2015, U.K. Generated Most Spending |website=Variety |date=June 15, 2016 |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/california-2015-movie-production-uk-spending-1201795800/ |access-date=April 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403001130/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/california-2015-movie-production-uk-spending-1201795800/ |archive-date=April 3, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/star-wars-the-force-awakens-movie-profit-2015-lucasfilm-disney-1201726142/ |title=No. 1 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' – 2015 Most Valuable Movie Blockbuster Tournament |first=Mike Jr. |last=Fleming |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=March 28, 2016 |access-date=March 29, 2016 |archive-date=March 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330054522/http://deadline.com/2016/03/star-wars-the-force-awakens-movie-profit-2015-lucasfilm-disney-1201726142/ |url-status=live}} but in 2023 financial accounts revealed the gross spend was $533 million and the net cost after tax breaks was $447 million. Abrams and the cast members went to Abu Dhabi in early May, where large sets were built on location—including a shuttle-like spacecraft, a large tower, and a big market—and where explosives were used to create a "blast crater". Cast members were spotted practicing driving vehicles that would be used during filming.{{cite web |url=http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/star-wars-filming-to-start-on-may-13-in-abu-dhabi-desert |title=Star Wars filming to start on May 13 in Abu Dhabi desert |last=Newbould |first=Chris |work=The National |date=May 10, 2014 |access-date=May 23, 2014 |archive-date=May 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140519205644/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-culture/film/star-wars-filming-to-start-on-may-13-in-abu-dhabi-desert |url-status=live}} Production moved to Pinewood Studios in June.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/harrison-ford-injured-on-the-set-of-star-wars-episode-vii-1201219316/ |title=Harrison Ford Injured on the Set of 'Star Wars: Episode VII' |author=Variety Staff |work=Variety |date=June 12, 2014 |access-date=June 13, 2014 |archive-date=June 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613021100/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/harrison-ford-injured-on-the-set-of-star-wars-episode-vii-1201219316/ |url-status=live}}

{{multiple image

| caption_align = center

| header_align = center

| align = left

| direction = vertical

| width = 200

| image1 = Skellig Michael (6214838436).jpg

| alt1 = view over Skellig Michael showing stone beehive structures and Small Skellig island in the distance

| caption1 =

| image2 = RAF Greenham Common, silo.jpg

| alt2 = concrete missile silo covered in grass

| caption2 =

| footer_align =

| footer = Skellig Michael in Ireland (top) and former RAF Greenham Common in England served as filming locations.

}}

That same month, Harrison Ford fractured his leg while filming at Pinewood after a hydraulic door on the Millennium Falcon set fell on him, and was taken to a hospital. According to Abrams, Ford's ankle "went to a 90-degree angle". Production was suspended for two weeks because of Ford's injury.{{cite web |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/07/harrison-ford-star-wars-delay_n_5563232.html |title=Harrison Ford's Leg Injury To Halt 'Star Wars: Episode VII' Production For 2 Weeks |work=The Huffington Post |date=July 7, 2014 |access-date=July 7, 2014 |archive-date=July 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708173826/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/07/harrison-ford-star-wars-delay_n_5563232.html |url-status=live}} Ford's son Ben said the ankle would likely need a plate and screws and that filming could be altered slightly, with the crew needing to shoot Ford from the waist up for a short time until he recovered.{{cite web |url=https://celebrity.yahoo.com/news/harrison-fords-star-wars-injury-details-195505600.html |title=Harrison Ford's 'Star Wars' Injury: New Details! |last=Ford |first=Rebecca |publisher=Yahoo! |date=June 14, 2014 |access-date=June 14, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715043003/https://celebrity.yahoo.com/news/harrison-fords-star-wars-injury-details-195505600.html |archive-date=July 15, 2014}} A month later, Jake Steinfeld, Ford's personal trainer, said Ford was recovering rapidly.{{cite news |url=http://www.contactmusic.com/story/harrison-ford-is-recovering-rapidly_4272120 |title=Harrison Ford is recovering rapidly |agency=Bang Showbiz |publisher=Contactmusic.com |date=July 4, 2014 |access-date=July 4, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180841/http://www.contactmusic.com/story/harrison-ford-is-recovering-rapidly_4272120 |url-status=live}} Abrams also suffered a fractured vertebra in his back when he was trying to help lift the door after Ford's accident, but he kept this to himself for over a month.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/jj-abrams-broke-his-back-812387 |title=J.J. Abrams Broke His Back While Filming 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' |first=Hilary |last=Lewis |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=July 31, 2015 |access-date=July 31, 2015 |archive-date=August 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802010629/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/jj-abrams-broke-his-back-812387 |url-status=live}} In February 2016, it was reported that the Health and Safety Executive brought four criminal charges against Disney subsidiary Foodles Production (UK), Ltd. for alleged health and safety breaches relating to Ford's accident.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35551372 |publisher=BBC News |title=Star Wars prosecuted over Harrison Ford injury |date=February 11, 2016 |access-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-date=December 1, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201190514/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-35551372 |url-status=live}} Foodles Production (UK) Ltd was subsequently fined $1.95 million in October 2016 for two health and safety breaches, after admitting the counts at an earlier hearing.{{cite news |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |title='Star Wars' Production Company Fined Nearly $2 Million Over Harrison Ford's On-Set Injury |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-production-company-fined-937965 |access-date=October 13, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 12, 2016 |archive-date=October 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161016015021/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-production-company-fined-937965 |url-status=live}}

On July 28, 2014, filming took place over three days at Skellig Michael, an island off the coast of County Kerry, Ireland, with a cast including Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley.{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/and-action-new-star-wars-film-shoot-kicks-off-on-skellig-michael-30466106.html |title=And ... action! New 'Star Wars' film shoot kicks off on Skellig Michael |first=O'Sullivan |last=Majella |date=July 29, 2014 |work=Irish Independent |access-date=August 1, 2014 |archive-date=June 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628200847/https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/movies/and-action-new-star-wars-film-shoot-kicks-off-on-skellig-michael-30466106.html |url-status=live}} Landscape shots for the planet Takodana were shot in July in the Lake District in the northwest of England.{{cite web |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/star-wars-filmed-lake-district-10597811 |title=Watch: Fascinating video pinpointing exactly where Star Wars scenes were filmed in the Lake District |first=Abbit |last=Beth |date=December 14, 2015 |work=Manchester Evening News |access-date=April 22, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009061928/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/star-wars-filmed-lake-district-10597811 |archive-date=October 9, 2016}} Production was halted for two weeks in early August 2014 so Abrams could rework shooting in Ford's absence and resumed with a fully healed Ford in mid-August.{{cite news |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-vii-resume-725073 |title='Star Wars: Episode VII' to Resume Filming This Month |date=August 13, 2014 |first=Aaron |last=Couch |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=January 10, 2016 |archive-date=January 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125212242/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-episode-vii-resume-725073 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://blog.chron.com/celebritybuzz/2014/08/harrison-ford-to-return-to-star-wars/#25821101=0 |title=Harrison Ford to return to 'Star Wars' |date=August 12, 2014 |work=Houston Chronicle |access-date=August 14, 2014 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083736/http://blog.chron.com/celebritybuzz/2014/08/harrison-ford-to-return-to-star-wars/#25821101=0 |url-status=live}} In September, the former RAF Greenham Common military base in Berkshire was used and featured set constructions of several spaceships.{{cite news |title=Star Wars surprise: Millennium Falcon and X-Wing pictured |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29144135 |access-date=March 20, 2015 |date=September 10, 2014 |publisher=BBC News |archive-date=April 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424141819/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29144135 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Close up photos of the Star Wars: Episode VII Greenham Common set |url=http://makingstarwars.net/2014/09/close-photos-star-wars-episode-vii-greenham-common-set |website=MakingStarWars.net |first=Jason |last=Ward |date=September 21, 2014 |access-date=March 20, 2015 |archive-date=March 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321192308/http://makingstarwars.net/2014/09/close-photos-star-wars-episode-vii-greenham-common-set/ |url-status=live}} Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean Gloucestershire England was used for some scenes.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-35109941 |title=Star Wars: Puzzlewood 'magical' location for filming |date=December 17, 2015 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220020853/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-35109941 |url-status=live}} Principal photography ended on November 3, 2014.{{Cite web |last=Ritman |first=Alex |date=November 3, 2014 |title='Star Wars: Episode VII' Cast and Crew Celebrate at Huge London Party Amid Talk of Shoot Wrapping |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-episode-vii-cast-745712/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211021215154/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-wars-episode-vii-cast-745712/ |archive-date=October 21, 2021 |access-date=October 21, 2021 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

File:1221olympicblvd.jpg

Kennedy said The Force Awakens would use real locations and models over computer-generated imagery.{{Cite web |last=Child |first=Ben |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jul/29/star-wars-episode-vii-cgi |date=July 29, 2013 |title=Star Wars: Episode VII to limit cheap CGI tricks and keep it real |website=The Guardian |access-date=March 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313082040/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jul/29/star-wars-episode-vii-cgi |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |url-status=live}} Johnson reiterated that Abrams would use little CGI and more practical, traditional special effects, saying: "I think people are coming back around to [practical effects]. It feels like there is sort of that gravity pulling us back toward it. I think that more and more people are hitting kind of a critical mass in terms of the CG-driven action scene lending itself to a very specific type of action scene, where physics go out the window and it becomes so big so quick."{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/rian-johnson-says-next-star-726036 |title=Rian Johnson Says Next 'Star Wars' Will Have Less CGI, More Practical Effects |last=McMillan |first=Graeme |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 18, 2014 |access-date=August 18, 2014 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083717/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/rian-johnson-says-next-star-726036 |url-status=live}} Abrams' intention in prioritizing practical special effects was to recreate the visual realism and authenticity of the original Star Wars.{{cite web |url=http://au.ign.com/articles/2015/04/16/star-wars-celebration-why-star-wars-7-uses-practical-effects |title=Star Wars Celebration: Why Star Wars 7 Uses Practical Effects |website=IGN |last=Otero |first=Jose |date=April 16, 2015 |access-date=April 21, 2015 |archive-date=April 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150422005907/http://au.ign.com/articles/2015/04/16/star-wars-celebration-why-star-wars-7-uses-practical-effects |url-status=live}} To that end, the droid BB-8 was a physical prop developed by Disney Research,{{cite news |last1=Hackett |first1=Robert |title=Disney just developed the most adorable walking robot |url=http://fortune.com/2015/05/26/disney-walking-robot/ |access-date=July 23, 2015 |work=Fortune |date=May 26, 2015 |archive-date=August 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170809173414/http://fortune.com/2015/05/26/disney-walking-robot/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} created by special effects artist Neal Scanlan and operated live on set with the actors.{{cite web |url=http://au.ign.com/articles/2014/12/14/mark-hamill-says-star-wars-the-force-awakens-bb-8-is-a-prop-not-cgi |title=Mark Hamill Says Star Wars: The Force Awakens' BB-8 Is a Prop, Not CGI |first=Anthony |last=Couto |website=IGN |date=December 13, 2014 |access-date=April 21, 2015 |archive-date=April 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150422005943/http://au.ign.com/articles/2014/12/14/mark-hamill-says-star-wars-the-force-awakens-bb-8-is-a-prop-not-cgi |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/bb-8-effects |title=Watch Awesome 'The Force Awakens' Droid BB-8 Appear Live on Stage |first=Russ |last=Fischer |website=/Film |date=April 16, 2015 |access-date=April 21, 2015 |archive-date=April 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419201642/http://www.slashfilm.com/bb-8-effects/ |url-status=live}} The Holochess sequence was created using stop-motion, which was supervised by Tippett Studio and overseen by Phil Tippett, who also worked on the stop-motion sequence in the original Star Wars film.{{cite magazine |last=McFarland |first=Kevin |date=January 22, 2021 |url=https://www.wired.com/2016/01/force-awakens-holochess-process/ |title=The Untold Story Behind The Force Awakens' Best Easter Egg |magazine=Wired |access-date=October 22, 2021 |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211121230613/https://www.wired.com/2016/01/force-awakens-holochess-process/ |archive-date=November 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Han |first=Angie |date=December 21, 2015 |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/541723/force-awakens-stop-motion/ |title=See How The 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Stop-Motion Sequence Was Created |website=/Film |access-date=October 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211121230515/https://www.slashfilm.com/541723/force-awakens-stop-motion/ |archive-date=November 21, 2021 |url-status=live}}

In February 2014, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) announced plans to open a facility in London, citing Disney's Star Wars films as a catalyst for the expansion. ILM's Vancouver branch also worked on the special effects for the film.{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=David |date=February 11, 2014 |title='Star Wars,' 'Avengers' Spawn Industrial Light & Magic's London Expansion |url=https://variety.com/2014/biz/news/industrial-light-magic-london-star-wars-avengers-1201099729/ |work=Variety |access-date=February 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212202716/http://variety.com/2014/biz/news/industrial-light-magic-london-star-wars-avengers-1201099729/ |archive-date=February 12, 2014 |url-status=live}} Abrams supervised post-production and editing of the film at Bad Robot's headquarters in Santa Monica. In August 2015, he gave the film's estimated running time of 124 minutes.{{cite news |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |date=August 15, 2015 |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' — Current Runtime Revealed |url=https://collider.com/star-wars-7-runtime-revealed-at-d23 |publisher=Collider |access-date=August 16, 2015 |archive-date=August 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817135319/http://collider.com/star-wars-7-runtime-revealed-at-d23/ |url-status=live}} Abrams made changes to the film's plot in the editing process to simplify the film, by removing some sequences shown in trailers: "At one point, Maz used to continue along with the characters back to the Resistance base, but we realised that she really had nothing to do there of value [...] So we ended up leaving those things out."{{cite news |last1=Shepherd |first1=Jack |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens: JJ Abrams on why major scene featuring Maz Kanata and Leia was cut |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-the-force-awakens-jj-abrams-on-why-major-scene-featuring-maz-kanata-and-leia-was-cut-from-a6785171.html |website=The Independent |date=December 24, 2015 |access-date=December 26, 2015 |archive-date=December 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225125717/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-the-force-awakens-jj-abrams-on-why-major-scene-featuring-maz-kanata-and-leia-was-cut-from-a6785171.html |url-status=live}} The final cut of the film runs for 138 minutes.{{Cite web |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/star-wars-the-force-awakens-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zotmyndc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211021103934/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/star-wars-the-force-awakens-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zotmyndc |archive-date=October 21, 2021 |access-date=October 21, 2021 |website=British Board of Film Classification}}

On November 6, 2014, the film's title was announced as Star Wars: The Force Awakens.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-episode-vii-title-747060 |title='Star Wars: Episode VII' Title Revealed |last=Hayden |first=Erik |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 6, 2014 |access-date=November 6, 2014 |archive-date=November 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109034943/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-episode-vii-title-747060 |url-status=live}} In December 2015, Pablo Hidalgo, the creative executive at the Lucasfilm Story Group which handles all the canonical continuity for the Star Wars universe, revealed that the working title for the film was Shadow of the Empire "for the longest time".{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/12/27/the-original-title-for-the-force-awakens-revealed.aspx |title=The Original Title for The Force Awakens Revealed |last=Gwaltney |first=Javy |magazine=Game Informer |date=December 27, 2015 |access-date=December 27, 2015 |archive-date=December 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229170057/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/12/27/the-original-title-for-the-force-awakens-revealed.aspx |url-status=live}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2021}}

{{Main|Star Wars: The Force Awakens (soundtrack){{!}}Star Wars: The Force Awakens (soundtrack)}}

In July 2013, John Williams was confirmed to return to compose the sequel trilogy, beginning with The Force Awakens.{{cite news |last=Hayden |first=Erik |title=John Williams Confirmed to Score 'Star Wars: Episode VII' |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-john-williams-confirmed-594396 |access-date=July 31, 2013 |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |date=July 27, 2013 |archive-date=July 30, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730042028/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-john-williams-confirmed-594396 |url-status=live}} He began working on the film in December 2014, and by June 2015 had been through most of the film reels, working on a daily basis.{{cite web |url=http://members.afm.org/im/john-williams |title=International Musician John Williams |last=Pine |first=Rachel |publisher=American Federation of Musicians |access-date=October 18, 2015 |archive-date=July 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706155625/http://members.afm.org/im/john-williams |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2015/music/awards/oscar-icons-williams-morricone-and-horner-loom-large-in-score-race-1201657637/ |title=Film Score Icons Williams, Morricone and Horner Loom Large in Oscar Race |last=Burlingame |first=Jon |work=Variety |date=December 9, 2015 |access-date=December 12, 2015 |archive-date=December 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211232345/http://variety.com/2015/music/awards/oscar-icons-williams-morricone-and-horner-loom-large-in-score-race-1201657637/ |url-status=live}} In May 2015, Williams said he would return to themes from the previous films, such as those for Luke, Leia, and Han, in ways that "there are a few that I think are important and will seem very much a part of the fabric of the piece in a positive and constructive way." He said that working with Abrams was similar to the process he went through with Lucas in the earlier films.{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/john-williams-star-wars-the-force-awakens |title=John Williams Says His New Star Wars Score Will Include the Original Themes |last=Handy |first=Bruce |work=Vanity Fair |date=May 21, 2015 |access-date=May 23, 2015 |archive-date=May 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150523010632/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/john-williams-star-wars-the-force-awakens |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}

Recording sessions for The Force Awakens began in June 2015 at the Sony Pictures Studios' Barbra Streisand Scoring Stage in Culver City, with William Ross conducting most of the music.{{cite web |url=http://www.sonypictures.com/studios/scoring.php |title=Scoring |publisher=Sony Pictures Studios |access-date=November 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122161455/http://www.sonypictures.com/studios/scoring.php |archive-date=January 22, 2016 |url-status=dead}} The first day of recording was June 1, 2015.{{cite web |last=Tveit |first=Elaine |url=https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2015/06/03/report-john-williams-has-begun-recording-the-force-awakens-score/ |title=Report: John Williams Has Begun Scoring The Force Awakens at Sony |website=Dork Side of the Force |date=June 3, 2015 |access-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129222450/https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2015/06/03/report-john-williams-has-begun-recording-the-force-awakens-score/ |url-status=live}} Williams attended the sessions and conducted the remainder of the recordings in Los Angeles.{{Cite web |last=Fischer |first=Russ |date=March 23, 2015 |title=John Williams Will Record 'The Force Awakens' Score In Los Angeles |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/536871/force-awakens-score/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211104225544/https://www.slashfilm.com/536871/force-awakens-score/ |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=November 5, 2021 |website=/Film}}

The score was recorded in 12 sessions within a five-month period between June and mid-November. The 90-piece orchestra recorded 175 minutes of music; however, Abrams re-edited the film, which discarded, modified, or re-recorded the score's part for nearly an hour. Williams' theme for Snoke was recorded by a 24-voice men's chorus.{{cite web |last=Sciretta |first=Peter |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/john-williams-force-awakens-score/ |title=Watch John Williams Conduct New Music For 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' |website=/Film |date=December 11, 2015 |access-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202214903/https://www.slashfilm.com/john-williams-force-awakens-score/ |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |url-status=live}} Gustavo Dudamel conducted the opening and end title music for the film at Williams' behest.{{cite news |last1=Grieving |first1=Tim |title='Star Wars' surprise: Gustavo Dudamel conducted parts of 'The Force Awakens' score |url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-star-wars-music-conductor-gustavo-dudamel-20151214-story.html |access-date=December 15, 2015 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 14, 2015 |archive-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215191141/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-star-wars-music-conductor-gustavo-dudamel-20151214-story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Recording of the score was completed on November 14, 2015.{{cite web |last=Tylwalk |first=Nick |url=https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2015/11/16/recording-of-the-force-awakens-score-is-finished/ |title=Recording of The Force Awakens Score is Finished |website=Dork Side of the Force |date=November 16, 2015 |access-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129223656/https://dorksideoftheforce.com/2015/11/16/recording-of-the-force-awakens-score-is-finished/ |url-status=live}} The film's soundtrack was released by Walt Disney Records on December 18, 2015.{{cite web |last=Porter |first=Matt |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens Soundtrack Release Date Revealed |url=https://sea.ign.com/star-wars-episodes-vii/92131/news/star-wars-the-force-awakens-soundtrack-release-date-revealed |access-date=January 30, 2021 |website=IGN |date=September 8, 2015 |archive-date=January 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130233833/https://sea.ign.com/star-wars-episodes-vii/92131/news/star-wars-the-force-awakens-soundtrack-release-date-revealed |url-status=live}} Williams' score is more than two hours long.

Lin-Manuel Miranda and Abrams contributed music to the film's cantina scene. Abrams met Miranda at a performance of his Broadway musical Hamilton, where Miranda jokingly offered to compose cantina music, should it be needed. Unknown to Miranda, Williams had previously told Abrams that he did not want to compose the music for that scene, wanting to focus on the orchestral score. Abrams then contacted Miranda, and the two collaborated on the music for the scene over a period of two months.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-force-awakens-cantina-844762 |title='Star Wars': J.J. Abrams Wrote Cantina Band Music with 'Hamilton' Creator Lin-Manuel Miranda |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 1, 2015 |access-date=December 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203220003/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-force-awakens-cantina-844762 |archive-date=December 3, 2015 |url-status=live}}

Disney backed The Force Awakens with extensive marketing campaigns.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/10/star-wars-the-marketing-force-awakens |title=Star Wars: the marketing force awakens |last=Pulver |first=Andrew |date=July 10, 2015 |quote=Disney has brought a whole new level of marketing savvy to an already popular product |work=The Guardian |access-date=January 10, 2016 |archive-date=December 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204215405/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/10/star-wars-the-marketing-force-awakens |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2015/voices/columns/star-wars-marketing-the-force-awakens-1201657875/ |title=The Main Force Driving Audiences to 'Star Wars' Is Marketing |last=Bart |first=Peter |date=December 11, 2015 |work=Variety |access-date=January 10, 2015 |archive-date=December 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212181838/http://variety.com/2015/voices/columns/star-wars-marketing-the-force-awakens-1201657875/ |url-status=live}} Deadline Hollywood estimated the media value was $175 million;{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/06/star-wars-vii-third-highest-grossing-film-forecast-1201452210/ |title='Star Wars VII' Could Become The 3rd Highest Grossing Film Ever – Analyst |first=David |last=Lieberman |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 23, 2015 |access-date=June 25, 2015 |archive-date=June 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624181131/http://deadline.com/2015/06/star-wars-vii-third-highest-grossing-film-forecast-1201452210/ |url-status=live}} its costs alongside home media revenues had later risen to $423 million by The Guardian.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/24/star-wars-the-force-awakens-likely-to-make-2bn-at-box-office |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens likely to make $2bn at box office |first=Ben |last=Child |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=June 24, 2015 |access-date=June 25, 2015 |archive-date=July 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150730214137/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/24/star-wars-the-force-awakens-likely-to-make-2bn-at-box-office |url-status=live}} On November 28, 2014, Lucasfilm released an 88-second teaser trailer. It was screened in selected cinemas across the United States and Canada and in theaters worldwide in December 2014. It was also released on YouTube and the iTunes Store,{{cite web |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Trailer Debuts Friday on Apple's iTunes |url=http://recode.net/2014/11/26/star-wars-the-force-awakens-trailer-debuts-friday-on-apples-itunes/ |last=Chmielewski |first=Dawn |work=Recode |date=November 26, 2014 |access-date=November 28, 2014 |archive-date=November 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130033651/http://recode.net/2014/11/26/star-wars-the-force-awakens-trailer-debuts-friday-on-apples-itunes/ |url-status=live}} generating 58.2 million views on YouTube in its first week.{{cite web |title=Trailer Report: 'Star Wars' Teaser Beats 'Age of Ultron' In Debut |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/trailer-report-star-wars-teaser-753113?mobile_redirect=false |last=Lewis |first=Andy |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 1, 2014 |access-date=December 2, 2014 |archive-date=March 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150306025753/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/trailer-report-star-wars-teaser-753113?mobile_redirect=false |url-status=live}} Critics compared the brief footage favorably to the production values of the original trilogy. The Hollywood Reporter called the trailer "perfectly potent nostalgia", praising its mix of old and new.{{cite news |last1=McMillan |first1=Graeme |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Teaser: Perfectly Potent Nostalgia Strikes Back |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-force-awakens-teaser-752743 |access-date=April 19, 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 28, 2014 |archive-date=April 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413202851/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-force-awakens-teaser-752743 |url-status=live}} Empire was impressed by the continuity with the first films—"the feel of classic Star Wars"—but noted the absence of Hamill, Ford, and Fisher and speculated about the significance of the new characters.{{cite web |last1=Plumb |first1=Ali |title=The Teaser Trailer For Star Wars: The Force Awakens Arrives |url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=42867 |work=Empire |access-date=April 19, 2015 |date=November 28, 2014 |archive-date=March 31, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150331044643/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=42867 |url-status=dead}} The Guardian wrote that the use of the Star Wars fanfare by John Williams reinforced brand loyalty among fans.{{cite news |last1=Bradshaw |first1=Peter |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer – a classic recipe trailed across the taste buds |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/nov/28/star-wars-the-force-awakens-trailer-jj-abrams |access-date=April 19, 2015 |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=December 1, 2014 |archive-date=April 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418154537/http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/nov/28/star-wars-the-force-awakens-trailer-jj-abrams |url-status=live}}

File:Star wars force awakens film promotion nuremberg 2015.JPG

On December 11, 2014, Abrams and Kennedy released a series of eight mock Topps trading cards revealing the names of several characters.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2014/12/11/star-wars-the-force-awakens-character-names/ |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' character names revealed – exclusive |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=December 11, 2014 |access-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203015731/https://ew.com/article/2014/12/11/star-wars-the-force-awakens-character-names/ |url-status=live}} On April 16, 2015, a second teaser trailer, this one lasting two minutes, was shown at the opening panel at the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California. Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy said the reaction to the trailer was "staggering [...] the entire room of almost eight thousand people just leapt to their feet and roared, I mean I can't think of anything I've ever been to—other than a rock concert—that felt quite like that".{{cite news |last1=Mzimba |first1=Lizo |title=Star Wars executive 'staggered' by teaser reaction |date=April 20, 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32382844 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=April 21, 2015 |archive-date=April 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421001743/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32382844 |url-status=live}} The trailer was viewed over 88{{nbsp}}million times within the first 24 hours of release.{{cite news |last1=Burlingame |first1=Russ |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer Viewed 88 Million Times In 24 Hours |url=https://comicbook.com/2015/04/20/star-wars-the-force-awakens-trailer-viewed-88-million-times-in-2/ |access-date=April 19, 2015 |publisher=ComicBook.com |date=April 19, 2015 |archive-date=April 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421070001/http://comicbook.com/2015/04/20/star-wars-the-force-awakens-trailer-viewed-88-million-times-in-2/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} The trailer shows many of the new characters and the first footage of Chewbacca and Han Solo. The Huffington Post{{'}}s Graham Milne wrote that the trailer "was an affirmation of something that we'd long been told was never going to happen. This was a gift. This was faith rewarded. About damn time."{{cite news |last1=Miline |first1=Graham |title=Chewie, We're Home. |url=https://huffingtonpost.com/graham-milne/chewie-were-home_b_7089310.html |access-date=April 20, 2015 |work=The Huffington Post |date=April 20, 2015 |archive-date=April 23, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150423024137/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/graham-milne/chewie-were-home_b_7089310.html |url-status=live}}

Vanity Fair was the first magazine to release an exclusive cover issue devoted to The Force Awakens. The magazine, released on May 7, 2015, featured exclusive interviews and photos of the cast photographed by Annie Leibovitz.{{cite news |title=Star Wars Cover: J.J. Abrams Reveals His Idea to Kill Jar Jar Binks |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/star-wars-the-force-awakens-vanity-fair-cover |work=Vanity Fair |access-date=May 6, 2015 |archive-date=May 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505172703/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/star-wars-the-force-awakens-vanity-fair-cover |url-status=dead |url-access=limited}} At the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con, in addition to a panel with many of the actors, a behind-the-scenes look at the film demonstrated the film's use of practical sets and effects. It was positively received, with Nigel M. Smith of The Guardian writing: "The featurette's angle is a strong one and connects with fans of the original trilogy in an incredibly poignant way. It also does a sly job of teasing Fisher's new look as Leia and Simon Pegg's mysterious involvement as a rumored alien in the movie, without actually showing the actors in action." Smith compared the marketing strategy for the film to that of a previous Abrams film, Super 8, saying "the promos [...] are notable for what they tease, not what they give away."{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/13/comic-con-star-wars-force-awakens-batman-superman |title=Comic-Con: Why the Force was with Star Wars and not Batman v Superman |last=Smith |first=Nigel M. |work=The Guardian |location=UK |date=July 13, 2015 |access-date=July 16, 2015 |archive-date=August 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812213443/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jul/13/comic-con-star-wars-force-awakens-batman-superman |url-status=live}}

Walt Disney Studios and Lucasfilm presented a look at The Force Awakens at Disney's D23 Expo in August 2015.{{cite news |last1=Lincoln |first1=Ross |title=Disney To Tease 'Captain America: Civil War', 'The Force Awakens', More At D23 Expo 2015 |url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/star-wars-and-captain-america-to-be-teased-at-d23-1201482934/ |access-date=August 17, 2015 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 21, 2015 |archive-date=August 11, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811063316/https://deadline.com/2015/07/star-wars-and-captain-america-to-be-teased-at-d23-1201482934/ |url-status=live}} Drew Struzan—who designed the poster artwork for the previous Star Wars films—produced a commemorative poster given to the event's attendees.{{cite news |last1=Gilman |first1=Greg |title=New 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Poster Highlights Aging Han Solo, New Jedi (Photo) |url=https://thewrap.com/star-wars-the-force-awakens-first-poster-highlights-aging-han-solo-new-jedi-photo/ |access-date=August 17, 2015 |work=TheWrap |date=August 15, 2015 |archive-date=August 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816173604/http://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-the-force-awakens-first-poster-highlights-aging-han-solo-new-jedi-photo/ |url-status=live}} In October 2015, Lucasfilm unveiled the theatrical release poster and a third trailer. The poster omitted Luke Skywalker and revealed a Death Star-like "orb".{{cite web |work=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/10/20/9572469/new-star-wars-7-trailer-3-analysis |title=Every new scene in the third Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer, analyzed |access-date=October 20, 2015 |first1=Rich |last1=McCormick |first2=Ross |last2=Miller |date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020192649/http://www.theverge.com/2015/10/20/9572469/new-star-wars-7-trailer-3-analysis |url-status=live}} The trailer debuted during the halftime break of Monday Night Football, before being released online.{{cite magazine |last=Rafferty |first=Scott |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/new-force-awakens-trailer-premiering-on-monday-night-football-197991/ |title=New 'Force Awakens' Trailer Premiering on 'Monday Night Football' |date=October 16, 2015 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203021855/https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/new-force-awakens-trailer-premiering-on-monday-night-football-197991/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} The reaction to the trailer by fans on social media was "frenzied", with Lizo Mzimba of the BBC writing that "perhaps the most significant thing about the final trailer before the film's release is how little of the story it reveals."{{cite news |author=Staff |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Frenzied social media reaction to trailer |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34579451 |publisher=BBC News |location=London, UK |date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203115541/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34579451 |url-status=live}} Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph felt the trailer was "a perfect blend of old and new, in keeping with the old-fashioned Star Wars aesthetic".{{cite news |last1=Collin |first1=Robbie |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer: 'evokes the spirit of the original trilogy' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens/trailer-3-review |website=The Daily Telegraph |date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021054335/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens/trailer-3-review/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} The trailer received 128{{nbsp}}million views in 24 hours. 16 million of the views came from its airing on Monday Night Football.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-force-awakens-trailer-834220 |title='Star Wars: Force Awakens' Trailer Viewed 112 Million Times in 24 Hours |first=Rebecca |last=Ford |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 23, 2015 |access-date=October 24, 2015 |archive-date=October 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024145600/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-force-awakens-trailer-834220 |url-status=live}} At the end of October, Air France announced a "Flight and Cinema" package, providing customers who book select flights to Paris transportation to a theater to see the film, since France was one of the first countries to release the film.{{cite web |last1=Albert |first1=Brian |title=Fly Air France to See 'The Force Awakens' 2 Days Early |url=https://ign.com/articles/2015/10/28/fly-air-france-to-see-the-force-awakens-2-days-early |website=IGN |date=October 28, 2015 |access-date=November 4, 2015 |archive-date=November 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102065810/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/28/fly-air-france-to-see-the-force-awakens-2-days-early |url-status=live}} On November 23, a partnership with Google was announced, in which Google users could choose to affiliate themselves with either the Dark or Light Side, which would change the appearance of their Google websites. Additionally, Disney teamed up with Verizon to create a virtual-reality experience for Google Cardboard.{{cite magazine |title=Google's 'Star Wars' promo lets you go to the dark side (or the light) |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/11/23/google-star-wars-promo-force-awakens |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=November 29, 2015 |archive-date=November 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125193250/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/11/23/google-star-wars-promo-force-awakens |url-status=live}}

On December 17, 2015, select theaters across the United States and Canada aired a Star Wars marathon, airing the six previous Star Wars episode films in 2D, followed by The Force Awakens in 3D. Attendees received a special lanyard featuring exclusive marathon art.{{cite web |url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/96628/20151017/fandango-offers-star-wars-movie-marathons-including-force-awakens-premiere.htm |title=Fandango Offers Star Wars Movie Marathons Including 'The Force Awakens' Premiere |publisher=Tech Times |date=October 17, 2015 |access-date=October 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225151531/http://www.techtimes.com/articles/96628/20151017/fandango-offers-star-wars-movie-marathons-including-force-awakens-premiere.htm |archive-date=December 25, 2015 |url-status=dead}}

Disney Publishing Worldwide and Lucasfilm announced a series of at least 20 books and comics, "Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens", which were released by multiple publishers starting in late 2015, prior to the film's premiere. The series includes books by Del Rey and Disney-Lucasfilm publishers and comic books from Marvel Comics. All titles under the program are canonical to the Star Wars universe.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/03/09/star-wars-release-20-books-journey-force-awakens |title=Star Wars to release 20 books in journey to The Force Awakens |first=Anthony |last=Breznican |author-link=Anthony Breznican |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=March 10, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2015 |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203115543/https://ew.com/article/2015/03/09/journey-force-awakens/ |url-status=dead}} Alan Dean Foster wrote a novelization of The Force Awakens which was released in e-book form on December 18.{{cite news |last1=Trachtenberg |first1=Jeffrey |title=Star Wars Cloak of Secrecy Extends to Tie-In Book |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/star-wars-cloak-of-secrecy-extends-to-tie-in-book-1446427301 |access-date=December 25, 2015 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 2, 2015 |archive-date=December 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225042141/http://www.wsj.com/articles/star-wars-cloak-of-secrecy-extends-to-tie-in-book-1446427301 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} In an effort to avoid revealing plot details before the film's release, the print release of the novelization was delayed until January 2016. Marvel Comics published a six-issue comic book adaptation of The Force Awakens between June and November 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/exclusive-marvel-publish-star-wars-force-awakens-comic-adaptation |title=Exclusive: Marvel Announces 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Adaptation |last=White |first=Brett |work=Comic Book Resources |publisher=Comic Book Resources |date=February 19, 2016 |access-date=February 19, 2016 |archive-date=February 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220094838/http://www.comicbookresources.com/article/exclusive-marvel-publish-star-wars-force-awakens-comic-adaptation |url-status=live}}

Disney Consumer Products and Lucasfilm announced that September 4, 2015 would be deemed "Force Friday" and would be the official launch of all the merchandise for The Force Awakens. Beginning at 12:01 am, fans could buy toys, books, clothing and various other products at Disney Stores and other retailers throughout the world.{{cite web |url=https://comingsoon.net/movies/news/436401-star-wars-the-force-awakens-products-coming-on-september-4#/slide/1 |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens Products Coming on September 4 |publisher=ComingSoon.net |date=May 3, 2015 |access-date=May 3, 2015 |archive-date=May 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150505204809/http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/436401-star-wars-the-force-awakens-products-coming-on-september-4#/slide/1 |url-status=live}} Disney and Maker Studios hosted an 18-hour live-streaming presentation on YouTube, showcasing multiple merchandise products beginning on September 3, 2015.{{cite news |last=McNary |first=Dave |author-link=Dave McNary |title=Disney Sets Massive 'Star Wars' Toy Promotion |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-the-force-awakens-toy-launch-1201577729 |access-date=August 27, 2015 |work=Variety |date=August 26, 2015 |archive-date=August 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150827120333/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-the-force-awakens-toy-launch-1201577729/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=McMillan |first1=Graeme |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Toys to Be Unveiled During 18-Hour YouTube Marathon |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-force-awakens-toys-817851 |access-date=August 27, 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 26, 2015 |archive-date=August 29, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829005042/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-force-awakens-toys-817851 |url-status=live}} Among these products were a remote-controlled BB-8 developed by Sphero. Sphero had participated in a Disney-run startup accelerator in July 2014, where they were invited into a private meeting with Disney CEO Bob Iger, in which they were shown on-set photos and imagery of BB-8 before its public unveiling.{{cite magazine |title=The Story (And Tech) Behind That Awesome Star Wars BB-8 Toy |url=https://www.wired.com/2015/09/bb8-the-inside-story/ |access-date=September 5, 2015 |magazine=Wired |archive-date=July 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180715181750/https://www.wired.com/2015/09/bb8-the-inside-story/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}{{cite web |title=Disney's support for start-ups led to one new company winning a dream Star Wars contract |url=http://www.thenational.ae/arts-lifestyle/film/disneys-support-for-start-ups-led-to-one-new-company-winning-a-dream-star-wars-contract |first=Ryan |last=Nakashima |date=August 15, 2015 |work=The National |location=Abu Dhabi |access-date=September 5, 2015 |archive-date=June 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613050526/http://www.thenational.ae/arts-lifestyle/film/disneys-support-for-start-ups-led-to-one-new-company-winning-a-dream-star-wars-contract |url-status=live}} Many retailers, such as Toys "R" Us, were unable to meet demand for Star Wars products due to the event.{{cite web |url=http://io9.com/force-friday-was-a-disaster-for-many-star-wars-fans-1728765957 |title=Force Friday Was A Disaster For Many Star Wars Fans |last=Lussier |first=Germain |website=io9 |date=September 4, 2015 |access-date=September 6, 2015 |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905173602/http://io9.com/force-friday-was-a-disaster-for-many-star-wars-fans-1728765957 |url-status=live}}

Select characters, scenes and locations from the film became part of other Star Wars video games: Characters from the film were added to an update to the mobile game Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, available for iOS and Android and released by Electronic Arts;{{cite web |last1=Paget |first1=Mat |title=Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens Characters Join Galaxy of Heroes |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-wars-7-the-force-awakens-characters-join-gala/1100-6433206/ |website=GameSpot |date=December 17, 2015 |access-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128220514/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/star-wars-7-the-force-awakens-characters-join-gala/1100-6433206/ |url-status=live}} free downloadable content for Electronic Arts' Star Wars Battlefront reboot allowed players to battle on the planet Jakku;{{cite web |title=How to get Battle of Jakku DLC |url=http://starwars.ea.com/starwars/battlefront/news/how-to-get-the-star-wars-battlefront-battle-of-jakku-dlc |website=Star Wars EA |access-date=April 19, 2015 |ref=17 |archive-date=April 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422004522/http://starwars.ea.com/starwars/battlefront/news/how-to-get-the-star-wars-battlefront-battle-of-jakku-dlc |url-status=dead}} an update to the mobile game Star Wars Commander, released by Disney Mobile for iOS, Android and the Windows Store, allowed players to battle on the planet Takodana during the Galactic Civil War era;{{Cite web |last=Minotti |first=Mike |date=December 3, 2015 |title=The Force Awakens comes to Star Wars: Commander |url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/12/03/the-force-awakens-comes-to-star-wars-commander/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211104045249/https://venturebeat.com/2015/12/03/the-force-awakens-comes-to-star-wars-commander/ |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=November 4, 2021 |website=VentureBeat}} and a condensed version of the film's plot becomes an add-on "playset" in the toys-to-life game Disney Infinity 3.0, with Finn, Rey, Poe Dameron, and Kylo Ren as playable characters.{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/12/09/disney-infinitys-star-wars-the-force-awakens-lets-john-boyega-play-with-himself/ |title=Disney Infinity's 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' lets John Boyega play with himself |website=VentureBeat |first=Giancarlo |last=Valdes |date=December 9, 2015 |access-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-date=February 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208105651/https://venturebeat.com/2015/12/09/disney-infinitys-star-wars-the-force-awakens-lets-john-boyega-play-with-himself/ |url-status=live}} Eventually, the film got a full Lego video game adaptation, titled Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which was released by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment on June 28, 2016.{{cite web |url=https://ign.com/articles/2016/02/02/lego-star-wars-ep-7-confirmed-details-and-deluxe-editions-revealed |title=LEGO Star Wars Ep.7 Confirmed, Details And Deluxe Editions Announced |first=Seth |last=G. Macy |website=IGN |date=February 2, 2016 |access-date=January 3, 2016 |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202153931/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/02/02/lego-star-wars-ep-7-confirmed-details-and-deluxe-editions-revealed |url-status=live}}

File:The Force Awakens premiere.jpg

Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiered on December 14, 2015, at the TCL Chinese Theatre, El Capitan Theatre, and Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-premiere-preparation-1201659677/ |title='Star Wars' Premiere: Fans, Security to Bring the Force |last1=Rainey |first1=James |last2=Sage |first2=Alyssa |work=Variety |date=December 11, 2015 |access-date=December 12, 2015 |archive-date=December 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213071052/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-premiere-preparation-1201659677/ |url-status=live}} A white tent stretched along Hollywood Boulevard from Orange Drive to Highland Avenue, covering the "massive" premiere event that hosted more than five thousand guests.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-force-awakens-party-848517 |title=Inside the Star Wars: The Force Awakens World Premiere and Party |last1=Ford |first1=Rebecca |last2=Kit |first2=Borys |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215215631/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-force-awakens-party-848517 |url-status=live}} The film was originally scheduled for a mid-2015 release, but in November 2013, it was pushed back to December 18, 2015.{{Cite web |last=Child |first=Ben |date=November 8, 2013 |title=Star Wars Episode VII pushed back to Christmas 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/nov/08/star-wars-episode-7-release-date-jj-abrams |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131108220537/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/nov/08/star-wars-episode-7-release-date-jj-abrams |archive-date=November 8, 2013 |access-date=November 17, 2021 |website=The Guardian}} It was also released in 3D, RealD 3D and IMAX 3D formats.{{cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-will-847014 |title='Star Wars: Force Awakens' Will Debut in 3D, a First for the Franchise |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 12, 2015 |access-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202230326/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-will-847014 |url-status=live}}

In the United States and Canada, it had the widest release of December across 4,134 theaters,{{cite web |last1=Busch |first1=Anita |last2=D'Alessandro |first2=Anthony |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-theaters-security-increase-1201668814/ |title='Star Wars' Theaters Tighten Security Due To Heavy Crowds And Suspicious Activity |date=December 17, 2015 |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218214030/https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-theaters-security-increase-1201668814/ |archive-date=December 18, 2015 |url-status=live}} of which 3,300 were 3D locations, a record 392 IMAX screens (13 of which were 70mm), 451 premium large format screens, 146 D-Box locations,{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-preview-star-wars-848331 |title=Box-Office Preview: 'Star Wars: Force Awakens' Gets Widest December Release of All Time |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 14, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215032524/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-preview-star-wars-848331 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-the-force-awakens-all-time-record-box-office-opening-1201666595/ |title=Planet Earth Braces For 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' To Make Intergalactic B.O. History |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |last2=Tartaglione |first2=Nancy |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 14, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215222702/http://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-the-force-awakens-all-time-record-box-office-opening-1201666595/ |url-status=live}} as well as releasing in the Dolby Vision format (high-dynamic range, Rec. 2020 color) in Dolby Cinema.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/star-wars-dolby-cinema-release-840567 |title='Star Wars' Dolby Cinema Release Could Push Forward the New Format |first=Carolyn |last=Giardina |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 16, 2015 |access-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-date=November 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117142329/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/star-wars-dolby-cinema-release-840567 |url-status=live}} Worldwide, it was released across 940 IMAX theaters, a new record. On December 18, 2015, the film began playing on every IMAX screen in the United States and Canada for four straight weeks up to January 14, 2016. This made it the first film since Warner Bros.' The Hobbit trilogy to receive such a release.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-set-817709 |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Set to Take Over Imax for a Month |first=Gregg |last=Kilday |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 26, 2015 |access-date=August 26, 2015 |archive-date=August 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826222122/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-set-817709 |url-status=live}} The film finally shed some of its IMAX screens with the release of The Revenant (2015) and The Finest Hours (2016) in mid-January 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/01/30/box-office-revenant-and-star-wars-the-force-awakens-top-holdovers-on-friday/#274c807a4ed0 |title=Box Office: 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Crosses $885M, 'The Revenant' Tops Holdovers On Friday |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |work=Forbes |date=January 30, 2016 |access-date=January 31, 2016 |archive-date=February 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201221859/http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/01/30/box-office-revenant-and-star-wars-the-force-awakens-top-holdovers-on-friday/#274c807a4ed0 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}

Advance ticket sales for the film began on October 19, 2015,{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/19/entertainment/star-wars-tickets-sale-thr-feat/index.html |title='Star Wars' tickets go on sale after trailer debut on Monday Night Football |publisher=CNN |date=October 19, 2015 |access-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019125025/http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/19/entertainment/star-wars-tickets-sale-thr-feat/index.html |url-status=live}} and were in strong demand, resulting in online movie ticket sites crashing.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-presales-833144 |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Presales Crash Movie Ticket Sites |first1=Ryan |last1=Gajewski |first2=Pamela |last2=McClintock |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 19, 2015 |access-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021042915/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-presales-833144 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-advance-ticket-demand-832977 |title='Star Wars' Advance Ticket Demand Crashes U.K. Theater Websites |last=Ritman |first=Alex |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 19, 2015 |access-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020231524/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-advance-ticket-demand-832977 |url-status=live}} Vue Cinemas, the United Kingdom's third-largest theater chain, sold 45,000 tickets in 24 hours, 10,000 of which were sold in 90 minutes, a record for the theater.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-advance-sales-uk-833212 |title='Star Wars' Advance Ticket Sales Set Record for U.K. Exhibitor |first=Alex |last=Ritman |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021130929/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-advance-sales-uk-833212 |url-status=live}} In the United States, the film pre-sold a record-breaking $6.5 million worth of IMAX ticket sales on a single day. IMAX has never previously registered more than $1 million in pre-sales on a single day.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-force-awakens-scores-833360 |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Scores $6.5M in IMAX Ticket Sales |first=Rebecca |last=Ford |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=October 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151021123627/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/star-wars-force-awakens-scores-833360 |url-status=live}} In total, it sold over $50 million in pre-sales, breaking the record.{{cite web |url=https://latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-advance-ticketing-20151210-story.html#nt=outfit |title='Star Wars' is latest film to show why Hollywood wants you to buy tickets in advance |first=Ryan |last=Faughnder |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 10, 2015 |access-date=December 13, 2015 |archive-date=December 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212140315/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-star-wars-advance-ticketing-20151210-story.html#nt=outfit |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} This number was raised to $100 million including $50–60 million in advance ticket sales by December 14.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-advance-849156 |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Advance Ticket Sales Cross Historic $100M |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |archive-date=December 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216172254/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-advance-849156 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-the-force-awakens-all-time-record-box-office-opening-1201666595/ |title=Planet Earth Braces For 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' To Make Intergalactic B.O. History |first1=Anthony |last1=D'Alessandro |first2=Nancy |last2=Tartaglione |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 14, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215222702/http://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-the-force-awakens-all-time-record-box-office-opening-1201666595/ |url-status=live}} However, not all tickets that were pre-sold were for the film's opening weekend, with Fandango President Paul Yanover saying "people have set aside tickets for screenings in January, weeks after the big opening [...] We have people buying Star Wars [The Force Awakens] into 2016. It's not just an opening-weekend phenomenon." Similarly, the film broke pre-sales records in the UK,{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-uk-presales-record-848921 |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Sets U.K. Pre-Sales Record With 'Way Beyond 1 Million' Tickets |first=Alex |last=Ritman |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218004218/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-uk-presales-record-848921 |url-status=live}} Canada,{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-sales-canada-sees-848926 |title='Star Wars' Sales in Canada Sees Premium Seats Go First |first=Etan |last=Vlessing |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-date=January 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124221333/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-sales-canada-sees-848926 |url-status=live}} and Germany.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-german-848924 |title=Box-Office Preview: 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Breaks German Pre-Sales Record But Police Warn of Security Concerns |first=Scott |last=Roxborough |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218004208/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-force-awakens-german-848924 |url-status=live}}

The Force Awakens is the first live-action Star Wars film not to be released theatrically by 20th Century Fox; accordingly the film is not introduced with either that company's logo, or its signature fanfare composed by Alfred Newman.{{cite news |last1=Molloy |first1=Tim |title='Star Wars VII' Will Have Major Change to Opening: No Fox Fanfare |url=https://thewrap.com/next-star-wars-will-major-change-opening-fox-fanfare |access-date=January 3, 2016 |work=TheWrap |date=November 8, 2013 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220125054/http://www.thewrap.com/next-star-wars-will-major-change-opening-fox-fanfare/ |url-status=live}} Instead, the film is the first in the series to be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and the film is presented with only Lucasfilm's production logo shown silently before the main titles.{{cite news |last1=Fritz |first1=Ben |title=Inside the World Premiere of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2015/12/15/inside-the-world-premiere-of-star-wars-the-force-awakens/ |access-date=January 3, 2016 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=December 15, 2015 |quote=...the Lucasfilm logo preceding the movie (there was no Disney logo)... |archive-date=January 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102015427/http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2015/12/15/inside-the-world-premiere-of-star-wars-the-force-awakens/ |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} Disney chairman Bob Iger explained that the decision not to place Disney branding on the film was "for the fans".{{cite web |url=https://screencrush.com/no-disney-logo-star-wars-the-force-awakens/ |title=There Will Be No Disney Logo Before 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' |first=Mike |last=Sampson |work=ScreenCrush |date=October 15, 2015 |access-date=January 2, 2016 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220070848/http://screencrush.com/no-disney-logo-star-wars-the-force-awakens/ |url-status=live}}

A poster from mainland China was criticized for being racist due to shrinking the size of the Black character Finn compared to non-Chinese posters.{{Cite web |date=2015-12-07 |title=Chinese poster for Star Wars: The Force Awakens minimises role of black actor |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/dec/07/fans-cry-racism-as-chinese-star-wars-poster-shrinks-black-actor |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=the Guardian |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Griffiths |first=James |date=2015-12-09 |title=Chinese state media hits back at claims of racist 'Star Wars' poster |url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/12/08/asia/star-wars-china-racist-poster/index.html |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913154007/https://www.cnn.com/2015/12/08/asia/star-wars-china-racist-poster/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Khatchatourian |first=Maane |date=2015-12-04 |title='Star Wars' China Poster Sparks Controversy After Shrinking John Boyega's Character |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-china-poster-controversy-john-boyega-1201653494/ |access-date=2022-09-13 |website=Variety |language=en-US |archive-date=September 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220913154000/https://variety.com/2015/film/news/star-wars-china-poster-controversy-john-boyega-1201653494/ |url-status=live }}

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment released Star Wars: The Force Awakens through digital download and Disney Movies Anywhere on April 1, 2016, and on Blu-ray and DVD on April 5. Physical copies include behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted scenes, interviews,{{cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |author-link=Anthony Breznican |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens Blu-ray release date and bonus features revealed |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/03/03/star-wars-force-awakens-bonus-features |access-date=March 3, 2016 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=March 3, 2016 |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306155552/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/03/03/star-wars-force-awakens-bonus-features |url-status=live}} and additional footage with eight bonus features.{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/01/09/force-awakens-dvd |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens DVD will have deleted scenes, but no extended cut |last=Hibberd |first=James |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=January 9, 2016 |access-date=January 9, 2016 |archive-date=January 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112003123/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/09/force-awakens-dvd |url-status=live}} In its first week, The Force Awakens sold 669,318 DVDs and 3.4{{nbsp}}million Blu-rays as the most sold film on both formats in the United States. That same week, The Force Awakens topped the Nielsen VideoScan First Alert chart, which tracks overall disc sales, as well as the dedicated Blu-ray sales chart with 83% of unit sales coming from Blu-ray.{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/star-wars-the-force-awakens-home-video-blu-ray-1201753139/ |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Dominates All Three Disc Charts |date=April 13, 2016 |first=Thomas K. |last=Arnold |website=Variety |access-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519105046/https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/star-wars-the-force-awakens-home-video-blu-ray-1201753139/ |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |url-status=live}} Overall, The Force Awakens sold 2.1{{nbsp}}million DVDs and 5.9{{nbsp}}million Blu-rays, adding them up to get a total of 8{{nbsp}}million copies, and made $191{{nbsp}}million through home media releases.

A Blu-ray 3D "collector's edition" of the film was released on November 15, including all the features of the original home releases, as well as several new bonus features, including new deleted scenes and audio commentary by director J. J. Abrams. The package includes a Blu-ray 3D, regular Blu-ray, DVD, and digital copy of the film, as well as an additional Blu-ray disc for the bonus features.{{cite news |url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/8/10/12431304/star-wars-the-force-awakens-3d-blu-ray-collectors-edition |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens coming to 3D Blu-ray — with exclusive bonus features |work=Polygon |date=August 10, 2016 |access-date=August 12, 2016 |author=Sarkar, Samit |archive-date=August 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811141543/http://www.polygon.com/2016/8/10/12431304/star-wars-the-force-awakens-3d-blu-ray-collectors-edition |url-status=live}}

The movie was rereleased on DVD in 2019 as part of the 9-disc "Skywalker Saga" boxed set. It received a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release on March 31, 2020. This 4K release was then included in the 27-disc Skywalker Saga box set on April 20, 2020.{{Cite web |last=Lussier |first=Germain |url=https://io9.gizmodo.com/lets-dive-into-star-wars-the-skywalker-sagas-27-disc-b-1842496774 |date=March 27, 2020 |title=Let's Dive Into Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga's 27-Disc Box Set |website=io9 |access-date=March 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313074612/https://io9.gizmodo.com/lets-dive-into-star-wars-the-skywalker-sagas-27-disc-b-1842496774 |archive-date=March 13, 2021 |url-status=live}}

The premium cable network Starz had U.S. broadcast syndication rights for The Force Awakens in January 2016,{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/star-wars-the-force-awakens-starz-rights-1201672965/ |title=Starz Nabs Rights to 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' |last=Stedman |first=Alex |work=Variety |date=January 6, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211118023620/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/star-wars-the-force-awakens-starz-rights-1201672965/ |archive-date=November 18, 2021}} just before the end of Starz's output deal covering most Disney films through 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.thewrap.com/disney-inks-output-deals-showtime-starz-updated-15162/ |title=Disney Inks Output Deals with Showtime, Starz (updated) |last=Adalian |first=Josef |work=TheWrap |date=March 11, 2010 |access-date=November 18, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211118023627/https://www.thewrap.com/disney-inks-output-deals-showtime-starz-updated-15162/ |archive-date=November 18, 2021}} That September, The Force Awakens began broadcasting on all Starz networks.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/star-wars-force-awakens-run-starz-beginning-september-10-1201787183/ |title='Star Wars' To Run on Starz Channels Beginning September 10 |last=Lieberman |first=David |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=July 15, 2016 |access-date=November 18, 2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211118023652/https://deadline.com/2016/07/star-wars-force-awakens-run-starz-beginning-september-10-1201787183/ |archive-date=November 18, 2021}}

{{Main|List of box office records set by Star Wars: The Force Awakens{{!}}List of box office records set by Star Wars: The Force Awakens}}

Star Wars: The Force Awakens grossed $936.7{{nbsp}}million in the United States and Canada and $1.132{{nbsp}}billion in other countries for a worldwide total of $2.07{{nbsp}}billion,{{cite Box Office Mojo |id=2488496 |title=Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens |access-date=January 27, 2025}}{{cbignore}} making it the highest-grossing film of 2015{{Cite web |title=2015 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2015/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818152249/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2015/ |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}} and the third highest-grossing film of all time.{{Cite web |title=Worldwide Grosses |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106064718/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/ |archive-date=January 6, 2017 |access-date=October 21, 2021 |website=Box Office Mojo}} Box Office Mojo estimates that the film sold close to 110{{nbsp}}million tickets in the United States and Canada.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220145224/https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm?adjust_yr=1&p=.htm |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |access-date=July 12, 2016 |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm?adjust_yr=1&p=.htm |title=Domestic Grosses Adjusted for Ticket Price Inflation |publisher=Box Office Mojo |url-status=dead}} The Force Awakens earned 8.6% of the total 2015 releases in the United States and Canada, second only to the 8.8% of the box office earned by Titanic in 1997.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/03/11/hollywood-is-doomed-because-star-wars-made-too-much-money/#2f75a51851e1 |title=Hollywood Is Doomed Because 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Made Too Much Money? |last=Mendelson |first=Scott |work=Forbes |date=March 11, 2016 |access-date=March 11, 2016 |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314112447/http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/03/11/hollywood-is-doomed-because-star-wars-made-too-much-money/#2f75a51851e1 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} It was the 24th film in cinematic history to gross $1 billion worldwide, standing as the fastest film to surpass the mark at the time, doing so in 12 days.{{cite news |last=Lang |first=Brent |title=Box Office: 'Star Wars' Crosses $1 Billion Globally at Record Pace |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/box-office/star-wars-box-office-christmas-daddys-home-point-break-1201668001/ |access-date=December 27, 2015 |work=Variety |date=December 27, 2015 |archive-date=December 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227201600/http://variety.com/2015/film/box-office/star-wars-box-office-christmas-daddys-home-point-break-1201668001/ |url-status=live}} It was also the third film in history to surpass $2 billion worldwide, doing so on its 53rd day of release.{{cite news |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Reaches Unprecedented Height At Domestic B.O. With $900M, $2B Worldwide |url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/star-wars-the-force-awakens-box-office-900m-1201696190/ |access-date=February 7, 2016 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 5, 2016 |archive-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206094843/https://deadline.com/2016/02/star-wars-the-force-awakens-box-office-900m-1201696190/ |url-status=live}} Deadline Hollywood calculated the film's net profit as $780.1 million, accounting for production budgets{{Efn|Deadline Hollywood used the production budget estimate of $259 million as the basis of their profit calculation.}}, marketing, talent participations, and other costs; box office grosses and home media revenues placed it first on their list of 2015's "Most Valuable Blockbusters".

Analysts said that the box office receipts of the film, when compared to predecessors, must be adjusted for inflation, and that the first Star Wars film made more when this adjustment is made.{{cite web |first=Kyle |last=Stock |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-16/force-awakens-can-t-hope-to-match-box-office-of-original-star-wars |title=Why Force Awakens Can't Hope to Match the Box-Office Power of the Original |work=Bloomberg Businessweek |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-date=January 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121123855/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-12-16/force-awakens-can-t-hope-to-match-box-office-of-original-star-wars |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} It has further been observed that each of the first three films in the series was more profitable in calculating revenue against production costs.

While The Force Awakens was very successful in the United States and Canada, the same success was not witnessed in many overseas individual markets such as India, other certain parts of Asia and Latin America. This was attributed to it being "a retro film" and how overseas audiences do not have the same nostalgia or affinity for the film as those in North America.{{cite news |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |title=Box Office: 'Star Wars' Now Unlikely to Beat 'Avatar' Global Record |date=January 13, 2016 |access-date=January 20, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/force-awakens-avatar-new-star-855065 |archive-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116111332/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/force-awakens-avatar-new-star-855065 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Eggertse |first=Chris |title=Can 'The Force Awakens' beat 'Avatar's' global box office record? Not a chance, experts say |date=January 14, 2016 |access-date=January 20, 2016 |work=HitFix |url=http://www.hitfix.com/news/can-the-force-awakens-beat-avatars-global-box-office-record-the-experts-weigh-in |archive-date=January 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118220735/http://www.hitfix.com/news/can-the-force-awakens-beat-avatars-global-box-office-record-the-experts-weigh-in |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Vs 'Avatar': It's A Different Picture Overseas |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 5, 2016 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/star-wars-the-force-awakens-international-box-office-record-avatar-1201676082 |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202144244/http://deadline.com/2016/01/star-wars-the-force-awakens-international-box-office-record-avatar-1201676082/ |url-status=dead}} The Star Wars franchise has traditionally lacked resonance with filmgoers in China, and marketing for The Force Awakens heavily focused on appealing to that market.{{cite web |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |title='The Force Awakens' In China With $33M; Market's Best Saturday Bow Ever; Top All-Time For Disney |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 9, 2016 |access-date=January 20, 2016 |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/star-wars-the-force-awakens-china-opening-day-box-office-results-1201679051/ |archive-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116161623/http://deadline.com/2016/01/star-wars-the-force-awakens-china-opening-day-box-office-results-1201679051/ |url-status=live}}

Nancy Tartaglione of Deadline Hollywood argued that, if accounting for its 40/60 domestic to international split, The Force Awakens did well overseas. While the film had special effects, analysts felt that it lacked the novelty factor; they also stated that its gross was stilted due to markets making way for new films sooner than was previously done. Dergarabedian stated, "No matter what, [The Force Awakens] is an absolute, all-out blockbuster without peer in terms of the sheer speed at which it has crossed all of these major box-office milestones." Moreover, Mike Fleming Jr. of Deadline Hollywood argued that the movie was the "most valuable movie" of the year, with "the net profit to Disney was an astounding $780.11M, and the Cash on Cash Return was twice that of any other film [released in 2016], at 2.00".{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/03/star-wars-the-force-awakens-movie-profit-2015-lucasfilm-disney-1201726142/ |title=No. 1 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' – 2015 Most Valuable Movie Blockbuster Tournament |first=Mike Jr. |last=Fleming |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=March 29, 2016 |access-date=March 29, 2016 |archive-date=March 30, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330054522/http://deadline.com/2016/03/star-wars-the-force-awakens-movie-profit-2015-lucasfilm-disney-1201726142/ |url-status=live}}

In the United States and Canada, The Force Awakens was released on December 18, 2015. It made a record-breaking $57 million from Thursday night previews,{{efn|The $57 million figure incorporates revenues generated from the "Star Wars Marathon Event" from 135 theaters in which all previous six Star Wars films were shown along with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Ticket prices cost $59.99 for all the films (including The Force Awakens) at an average of $8.57 per movie.{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4132 |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Targets Record Breaking $100M+ Opening Day |first=Brad |last=Brevet |publisher=Box Office Mojo |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220224745/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4132 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/10/star-wars-marathon-tickets-are-crazy |title=This is why you shouldn't buy a Star Wars marathon ticket |first=Nick |last=Schwartz |work=USA Today |date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-date=November 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115054918/http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/10/star-wars-marathon-tickets-are-crazy |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Jagernauth |first=Kevin |date=October 19, 2015 |title='Star Wars' Movie Marathon Event To Lead Into Opening Day Screening Of 'The Force Awakens' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2015/10/star-wars-movie-marathon-event-to-lead-into-opening-day-screening-of-the-force-awakens-111156/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211118132602/https://www.indiewire.com/2015/10/star-wars-movie-marathon-event-to-lead-into-opening-day-screening-of-the-force-awakens-111156/ |archive-date=November 18, 2021 |access-date=November 18, 2021 |website=IndieWire}}}} of which IMAX screenings generated a record-breaking $5.7 million from 391 screens.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-star-wars-force-849854 |title=Box Office: 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Hits Record $57 Million Thursday Night |first1=Pamela |last1=McClintock |first2=Rebecca |last2=Ford |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219064334/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-star-wars-force-849854 |url-status=live}} On its opening day, the film grossed $119.1 million, marking the biggest single- and opening-day record{{Cite web |last=Lowe |first=Kinsey |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/star-wars-force-awakens-box-office-records-list-1201676689/ |title=Box Office Records Broken By 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' – The List |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 6, 2016 |access-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-date=February 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204202307/https://deadline.com/2016/01/star-wars-force-awakens-box-office-records-list-1201676689/ |url-status=live}} and the first time a film has earned more than $100 million in a single day.{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4133 |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Shatters Opening Day Record |first=Brad |last=Brevet |publisher=Box Office Mojo |date=December 19, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219224617/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4133 |url-status=live}} Without Thursday-night grosses, the film earned the second-largest opening-day gross{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/12/19/star-wars-the-force-awakens-box-office-120-5m-friday-250m-worldwide-thus-far/ |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Box Office: $248M Opening Weekend, $529M Worldwide |work=Forbes |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |date=December 19, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220213650/http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/12/19/star-wars-the-force-awakens-box-office-120-5m-friday-250m-worldwide-thus-far/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} and a record of $247.9 million for its opening weekend.{{cite the numbers |id=Star-Wars-Ep-VII-The-Force-Awakens |title=Star Wars Ep. VII: The Force Awakens |access-date=January 27, 2021}}{{cbignore}} The debut was 19% bigger than the previous record holders The Avengers (2012) ($207 million) and Jurassic World (2015) ($208 million).{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/11/22/rogue-one-box-office-first-star-wars-story-may-score-boffo-130m-debut/#7c6e9d11513c |title='Rogue One' Box Office: First 'Star Wars Story' May Score Boffo $130M+ Debut |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |work=Forbes |date=November 22, 2016 |access-date=November 23, 2016 |archive-date=November 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123165814/http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/11/22/rogue-one-box-office-first-star-wars-story-may-score-boffo-130m-debut/#7c6e9d11513c |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} The opening weekend figure included an IMAX opening-weekend record of $30.1 million (12.65%) from 391 IMAX theaters,{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-force-awakens-box-office-thursday-night-previews-1201669166/ |title='Force Awakens' Rises on Saturday Night; Opening Weekend Record Now At $241M-$246M – Sunday AM Update |last1=D'Alessando |first1=Anthony |last2=Busch |first2=Anita |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 20, 2015 |access-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-date=November 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122055406/https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-force-awakens-box-office-thursday-night-previews-1201669166/ |url-status=live}} which nearly amounts to the $252.5 million total earned by Return of the Jedi—the second-lowest-grossing film in the series—in its original run.{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=starwars.htm |title=Series: Star Wars |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-date=March 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308032340/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/franchises/chart/?id=starwars.htm |url-status=dead}} 2D screenings accounted for 53% of the total opening gross while 3D accounted for 47%. RealD 3D comprised $78 million of the opening gross, setting a new record. At that time, the film had the biggest December opening weekend, breaking the previous record held by The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012).{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/12/21/star-wars-the-force-awakens-box-office-247m-opening-weekend-528m-worldwide/?sh=6d0f27c11e7d |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Box Office: $248M Opening Weekend, $529M Worldwide |website=Forbes |access-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428212105/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/12/21/star-wars-the-force-awakens-box-office-247m-opening-weekend-528m-worldwide/?sh=6d0f27c11e7d |url-status=live }} It would hold this record until it was surpassed by Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) six years later.{{cite web |url=https://bleedingcool.com/movies/spider-man-no-way-home-second-highest-opening-ever-box-office/ |title=Spider-Man: No Way Home Actually Scores Second Biggest Opening Ever |date=December 20, 2021 |access-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428212105/https://bleedingcool.com/movies/spider-man-no-way-home-second-highest-opening-ever-box-office/ |url-status=live }} Revenues in the film's second weekend decreased by only 39.8% in the United States and Canada, earning $149.2 million, to remain in first place at the box office{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4137&p=.htm |title='Star Wars: Force Awakens' Crosses $1 Billion Worldwide, Topping Christmas Weekend |first=Brad |last=Brevet |publisher=Box Office Mojo |date=December 27, 2015 |access-date=December 28, 2015 |archive-date=December 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228050533/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4137&p=.htm |url-status=live}} and recording the biggest second weekend of all time.{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/moreweekends.htm?page=2&p=.htm |title=Top Second Weekends |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=January 4, 2016 |archive-date=December 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217053512/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/moreweekends.htm?page=2&p=.htm |url-status=live}}

On January 2, after just 16 days of release, it became the second film (following Avatar) to gross over $700 million in the United States and Canada,{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4140 |title='Star Wars' Crosses $700 Million Domestically as 2016 is Off to a Strong Start |first=Brad |last=Brevet |publisher=Box Office Mojo |date=January 3, 2016 |access-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-date=February 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213130310/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4140 |url-status=live}} and on January 6 became the highest-grossing film of all time domestically, doing so in 20 days.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/star-wars-the-force-awakens-highest-grossing-film-domestic-box-office-record-beats-avatar-1201676602/ |title='Force Awakens' Beats 'Avatar' As Highest-Grossing Film of All-Time at Domestic B.O. In Jaw-Dropping 20 Days |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 6, 2016 |access-date=January 7, 2016 |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107013437/http://deadline.com/2016/01/star-wars-the-force-awakens-highest-grossing-film-domestic-box-office-record-beats-avatar-1201676602/ |url-status=live}} On January 9, it became the first film in cinematic history to cross $800 million domestically unadjusted for inflation.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/the-revenant-star-wars-the-force-awakens-weekend-box-office-1201678383/ |title='Force Awakens' Crosses $800M on Saturday & Holds No. 1, 'Revenant' Taking No. 2 With $38M – Early AM B.O. |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 10, 2016 |access-date=January 10, 2016 |archive-date=January 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108223850/http://deadline.com/2016/01/the-revenant-star-wars-the-force-awakens-weekend-box-office-1201678383/ |url-status=live}} On February 5, The Force Awakens became the first film to earn over $900 million, unadjusted for inflation, in the United States and Canada.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/star-wars-the-force-awakens-box-office-900m-1201696190/ |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Reaches Unprecedented Height At Domestic B.O. With $900M, $2B Worldwide |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 5, 2016 |access-date=February 5, 2016 |archive-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206083209/http://deadline.com/2016/02/star-wars-the-force-awakens-box-office-900m-1201696190/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-milestone-star-wars-862413 |title=Box-Office Milestone: 'Star Wars: Force Awakens' Crossing $2B Globally |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 5, 2016 |access-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206082833/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-milestone-star-wars-862413 |url-status=live}} The film fell outside of the top ten for the first time in its eleventh weekend during the weekend February 26–28, 2016,{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/02/28/box-office-deadpool-tops-matrix-reloaded-as-leonardo-dicaprios-the-revenant-crosses-170m/#5602348b2b70 |title=Box Office: 'Deadpool' Tops 'Matrix Reloaded' As Leonardo DiCaprio's 'The Revenant' Crosses $170M |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |work=Forbes |date=February 28, 2016 |access-date=February 28, 2016 |archive-date=February 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228220140/http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/02/28/box-office-deadpool-tops-matrix-reloaded-as-leonardo-dicaprios-the-revenant-crosses-170m/#5602348b2b70 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2016/mar/01/grimsby-sacha-baron-cohen-deadpool-rams-star-wars-uk-box-office |title=Grimsby sickens but fails to gross as Deadpool continues heroics at the UK box office |first=Charles |last=Gant |work=The Guardian |date=March 1, 2016 |access-date=March 2, 2016 |archive-date=March 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301185954/http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2016/mar/01/grimsby-sacha-baron-cohen-deadpool-rams-star-wars-uk-box-office |url-status=live}} and did not achieve $1 million in ticket sales for the first time in its fourteenth weekend.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/03/20/weekend-box-office-star-wars-dips-under-1m-deadpool-tops-spider-man-3-zootopia-near-600m/#1e3097ea5a41 |title=Weekend Box Office: 'Star Wars' Dips Under $1M, 'Deadpool' Tops 'Spider-Man 3, 'Zootopia' Near $600M |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |work=Forbes |date=March 20, 2016 |access-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-date=March 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320225531/http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/03/20/weekend-box-office-star-wars-dips-under-1m-deadpool-tops-spider-man-3-zootopia-near-600m/#1e3097ea5a41 |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}

Internationally, the film was released in over 30,000 screens.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-the-force-awakens-overseas-box-office-1201668699/ |title='The Force Awakens' With $517M Worldwide Weekend; No. 2 All-Time Global Bow – Update |first1=Nancy |last1=Tartaglione |first2=Anthony |last2=D'Alessandro |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 20, 2015 |access-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219155759/http://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-the-force-awakens-overseas-box-office-1201668699/ |url-status=live}} It opened on December 16, 2015, in 12 international markets and earned $14.1 million on its opening day, debuting at first place in all of them.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-star-wars-force-849779 |title=Box Office: 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Blasts Off Overseas With $14.1M Wednesday |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 17, 2015 |access-date=December 17, 2015 |archive-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218040536/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-star-wars-force-849779 |url-status=live}} It expanded in an additional 42 countries on December 17, generating $58.6 million for a two-day international total of $72.7 million, reaching first place in all 44 markets.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-the-force-awakens-overseas-box-office-1201668699/ |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Hits $250M Worldwide Box Office In 3 Days |first1=Anthony |last1=D'Alessandro |first2=Nancy |last2=Tartaglione |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218214020/http://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-the-force-awakens-overseas-box-office-1201668699/ |url-status=live}} It grossed a total of $129.5 million in three days after adding $56.8 million on its third day, and set a new midnight record in the United Kingdom with $3.6 million. It broke opening-day records in the United Kingdom ($14.4 million), Germany ($7.1 million), Australia ($6.8 million), Sweden ($1.7 million), Norway ($1.1 million), and in 12 other countries.{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/uk-box-office-star-wars-850114 |title=U.K. Box Office: 'Star Wars' Opens With Highest Single-Day Gross |first=Georg |last=Szalai |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 18, 2015 |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219072944/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/uk-box-office-star-wars-850114 |url-status=live}} Other markets which generated large opening days were Spain ($3.5 million) and Japan ($3 million). After the five days, The Force Awakens had a total international opening gross of $281 million from 30,000 screens, a new record for December opening and the third-biggest international opening of all time.{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/intl/weekend/opening/ |title=Overseas Total All Time Openings |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=January 4, 2016 |archive-date=June 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623165415/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/intl/weekend/opening/ |url-status=live}} International markets generating opening-weekend tallies of at least $10 million were the United Kingdom ($50.6 million), Germany ($27.5 million), France ($22.5 million), Australia ($19.6 million), Japan ($13.4 million), and Russia ($12.3 million). The film had the biggest opening of all time in 18 countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Russia, and Sweden.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-mojin-dilwale-good-dinosaur-spectre-international-box-office-results-1201670198/ |title='Star Wars' Rules Galaxy; What Else Is Up at the International Box Office |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 20, 2015 |access-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221084630/https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-mojin-dilwale-good-dinosaur-spectre-international-box-office-results-1201670198/ |url-status=live}}

After five days, the film had a total worldwide opening record of $529 million from 74 territories, which was the biggest worldwide opening at that time, making it only the second time in cinematic history—after Jurassic World—that a film had opened to more than $500 million globally.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/dec/22/star-wars-the-force-awakens-avatar-mojin-global-box-office |title=What Star Wars: The Force Awakens has to do to beat Avatar |first=Phil |last=Hoad |work=The Guardian |date=December 21, 2015 |access-date=December 25, 2015 |archive-date=December 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225030328/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/dec/22/star-wars-the-force-awakens-avatar-mojin-global-box-office |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4134&p=.htm |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Crushes Records, Topping Largest Box Office Weekend of All Time |first=Brad |last=Brevet |publisher=Box Office Mojo |date=December 20, 2015 |access-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220224859/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4134&p=.htm |url-status=live}} This included an IMAX opening record of $48 million. Revenues from IMAX dipped slightly, generating $19 million in its second weekend, for a record total of over $70 million in 11 days.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-force-awakens-christmas-weekend-box-office-record-joy-daddys-home-concussion-point-break-1201672899 |title='Daddy', 'Joy' & 'Hateful Eight' Reap Fortune As 'Star Wars' Hits $540M+ … Can 'Force Awakens' Hit $1 Billion in U.S.? |first1=Anthony |last1=D'Alessandro |first2=Anita |last2=Busch |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 27, 2015 |access-date=December 28, 2015 |archive-date=December 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227183457/http://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-force-awakens-christmas-weekend-box-office-record-joy-daddys-home-concussion-point-break-1201672899/ |url-status=dead}} IMAX generated $17.9 million from 276 IMAX theaters.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-the-force-awakens-imax-record-box-office-1201670114/ |title='Star Wars' Smashes IMAX Records With $48M Galactic Launch |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 20, 2015 |access-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221084624/https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-the-force-awakens-imax-record-box-office-1201670114/ |url-status=live}} The film had a steeper decline in its second weekend, falling 51% to $136.9 million.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-one-billion-dollars-global-box-office-record-second-weekend-overseas-results-1201673404 |title='Star Wars' Crosses $1B Global Box Office To Break 'World' Record; Offshore Cume Rises To $550.3M – Monday Update |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 27, 2015 |access-date=December 28, 2015 |archive-date=December 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227203022/http://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-one-billion-dollars-global-box-office-record-second-weekend-overseas-results-1201673404/ |url-status=dead}} The film had an unsuccessful opening in India where it opened third against two local blockbusters with a mere $1.51 million.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/asia/india-box-office-star-wars-opens-in-third-place-1201669493 |title=India Box Office: 'Star Wars' Opens in Third Place |first=Naman |last=Ramachandran |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |work=Variety |date=December 30, 2015 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |archive-date=December 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151230170314/http://variety.com/2015/film/asia/india-box-office-star-wars-opens-in-third-place-1201669493/ |url-status=live}} As of February 2016, the highest-grossing markets outside of the United States and Canada were the United Kingdom ($180.7 million), China ($124.5 million), Germany ($109.7 million), Japan ($92.6 million), and France ($88.2 million).{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/deadpool-zootopia-mermaid-hail-caesar-international-box-office-overseas-weekend-results-1201706617/ |title='Deadpool' Scores $85.3M in 2nd Offshore Frame; Nears $500M Global – Intl Box Office |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 21, 2016 |access-date=February 22, 2016 |archive-date=June 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620143746/http://deadline.com/2016/02/deadpool-zootopia-mermaid-hail-caesar-international-box-office-overseas-weekend-results-1201706617/ |url-status=live}} On January 17, 2016, it passed the $1 billion mark overseas becoming the first film of Disney, the third film of 2015 and the fifth film overall to achieve this feat.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/revenant-5th-wave-hateful-8-ride-along-2-star-wars-international-box-office-weekend-results-1201684764/ |title='Force Awakens' $100M in China; Oscar Fave 'The Revenant' Opens Big in UK, Korea – Intl B.O. Update |first1=Nancy |last1=Tartaglione |first2=Anita |last2=Busch |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 19, 2016 |access-date=January 21, 2015 |archive-date=January 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118153712/http://deadline.com/2016/01/revenant-5th-wave-hateful-8-ride-along-2-star-wars-international-box-office-weekend-results-1201684764/ |url-status=live}} It topped the international box office chart for five consecutive weekends, becoming the first film since Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) to have five straight wins, before being dethroned by The Revenant in its sixth weekend.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/star-wars-the-force-awakens-kung-fu-panda-3-revenant-5th-wave-dirty-grandpa-big-short-overseas-box-office-weekend-1201689456/ |title='The Revenant' Tops Offshore Weekend With $33.8M And Over $223M Global; 'The Force Awakens' At No. 2 – Intl Box Office Final |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 25, 2016 |access-date=January 26, 2016 |archive-date=January 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160125160310/http://deadline.com/2016/01/star-wars-the-force-awakens-kung-fu-panda-3-revenant-5th-wave-dirty-grandpa-big-short-overseas-box-office-weekend-1201689456/ |url-status=live}} In Japan, it topped the box office for six straight weekends.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics.Multiple sources:

• {{cite news |url=http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/movies-tv/article/Here-s-what-reviewers-are-saying-about-Star-6702382.php |title=Critics' reviews of 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' overwhelmingly positive |last=Fechter |first=Joshua |work=San Antonio Express-News |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=December 28, 2015 |archive-date=December 21, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151221043039/http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/movies-tv/article/Here-s-what-reviewers-are-saying-about-Star-6702382.php |url-status=live}}
• {{cite web |url=http://qz.com/575399/star-wars-the-force-awakens-reviews-are-in-and-theyre-overwhelmingly-positive/ |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' reviews are in, and they're overwhelmingly positive |last=Epstein |first=Adam |work=Quartz |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=December 28, 2015 |archive-date=December 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226172951/http://qz.com/575399/star-wars-the-force-awakens-reviews-are-in-and-theyre-overwhelmingly-positive/ |url-status=live}}
• {{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/star-wars-premiere-reviews-fans-1.3365723 |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens earns positive early reviews |last=Wong |first=Jessica |publisher=CBC News |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |archive-date=February 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212201355/http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/star-wars-premiere-reviews-fans-1.3365723 |url-status=live}}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35109900 |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens gets rave reviews |publisher=BBC News |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=December 28, 2015 |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219015037/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-35109900 |url-status=live}} On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, {{RT data|score}} of {{RT data|count}} critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's consensus reads, "Packed with action and populated by both familiar faces and fresh blood, The Force Awakens successfully recalls the series' former glory while injecting it with renewed energy".{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/star_wars_episode_vii_the_force_awakens |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens |work=Rotten Tomatoes |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}} {{Metacritic film prose|score=80|count=55|ref=yes|access-date=May 23, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219024710/https://metacritic.com/movie/star-wars-episode-vii---the-force-awakens|archive-date=December 19, 2015|url-status=live}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale; women, and people under the ages of 25 and 18 gave it an "A+", while 98% of audiences gave it either an "A" or a "B". Audiences polled by PostTrak gave the film an 88% "definite recommend" while 96% said it met or exceeded their expectations.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-force-awakens-box-office-thursday-night-previews-1201669166/ |title='Star Wars' Stomps on Dinos & Witch-Slaps 'Potter' As 'Force Awakens' Flies Toward $251M-$255M Opening Record – Late Night Update |first1=Anthony |last1=D'Alessandro |first2=Anita |last2=Busch |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=December 18, 2015 |access-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-date=November 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122055406/https://deadline.com/2015/12/star-wars-force-awakens-box-office-thursday-night-previews-1201669166/ |url-status=live}}

Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph said the film "sets out to shake Star Wars from its slumber, and reconnect the series with its much-pined-for past", and "it achieves this both immediately and joyously is perhaps the single greatest relief of the movie-going year."{{cite web |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens review: 'the magic is back' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens/episode-7-review |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=UK |access-date=December 16, 2015 |date=February 6, 2016 |first=Robbie |last=Collin |archive-date=December 16, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151216081159/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens/episode-7-review/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian said that it was "both a narrative progression from the earlier three films and a shrewdly affectionate next-gen reboot", and it was "ridiculous and melodramatic and sentimental, but exciting and brimming with energy and its own kind of generosity."{{cite web |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens review – a spectacular homecoming |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/dec/16/star-wars-the-force-awakens-review-a-spectacular-homecoming |work=The Guardian |location=UK |access-date=December 16, 2015 |first=Peter |last=Bradshaw |date=December 16, 2015 |archive-date=February 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213025803/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/dec/16/star-wars-the-force-awakens-review-a-spectacular-homecoming |url-status=live}} Variety's Justin Chang wrote that the film has "sufficient style, momentum, love, and care to prove irresistible to any who have ever considered themselves fans."{{cite news |last=Chang |first=Justin |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/star-wars-review-the-force-awakens-1201661978 |title=Film Review: 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' |work=Variety |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |archive-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206014701/http://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/star-wars-review-the-force-awakens-1201661978/ |url-status=live}} Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times described it as "a beautiful, thrilling, joyous, surprising, and heart-thumping adventure".{{cite web |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The thrills are strong with this one |url=http://entertainment.suntimes.com/movies/star-wars-force-awakens-review-thrills-strong-one/ |first=Richard |last=Roeper |author-link=Richard Roeper |work=Chicago Sun-Times |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |url-status=dead |url-access=limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151218234650/http://entertainment.suntimes.com/movies/star-wars-force-awakens-review-thrills-strong-one/ |archive-date=December 18, 2015}} Ann Hornaday, writing for The Washington Post, thought the film had "enough novelty to create yet another cohort of die-hard fans", and the film struck "all the right chords, emotional, and narrative, to feel both familiar and exhilaratingly new."{{cite news |last=Hornaday |first=Ann |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' gets the nostalgia-novelty mix just right |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/star-wars-the-force-awakens-gets-the-nostalgia-novelty-mix-just-right/2015/12/15/c2e8a38e-a365-11e5-b53d-972e2751f433_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=December 16, 2015 |page=T29 |access-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-date=January 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131223029/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/star-wars-the-force-awakens-gets-the-nostalgia-novelty-mix-just-right/2015/12/15/c2e8a38e-a365-11e5-b53d-972e2751f433_story.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} The Charlotte Observer{{'}}s Lawrence Toppman said Abrams had "pulled off a delicate balancing act, paying clever homage to the past."{{cite news |title=The force is strong with new 'Star Wars' installment, 'The Force Awakens' |url=http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/lawrence-toppman/article49909095.html |last=Toppman |first=Lawrence |work=The Charlotte Observer |date=December 16, 2015 |page=5C |access-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-date=January 20, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120205433/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/ent-columns-blogs/lawrence-toppman/article49909095.html |url-status=live}} Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle gave the film his highest rating and called it "the best Star Wars sequel yet and one of the best films of 2015".{{cite news |last=LaSalle |first=Mick |author-link=Mick LaSalle |url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/movies/article/Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens-is-the-best-6700735.php |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the best sequel yet |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=December 15, 2015 |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219005947/http://www.sfchronicle.com/movies/article/Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens-is-the-best-6700735.php |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Frank Pallotta, reviewing the film for CNN Business, found it was the best Star Wars film since the original trilogy and that it "is bound to be a film experience long remembered by fans and non-fans alike".{{cite web |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' is best film since original trilogy |url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/12/16/media/star-wars-the-force-awakens-review/ |first=Frank |last=Pallotta |publisher=CNN Business |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |archive-date=December 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151217034811/http://money.cnn.com/2015/12/16/media/star-wars-the-force-awakens-review |url-status=live}}

Tom Long of The Detroit News wrote that though some may find the film too similar to the original Star Wars, it leaves "the ungainly and unneeded clumsiness of the subsequent prequels far behind", and "the energy, humor, and simplicity of direction [has] been recaptured".{{cite web |url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/movies/2015/12/16/tom-long-star-wars-review-force-awakens/77395392 |title=Movie review: The Force is back, baby |work=The Detroit News |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |last=Long |first=Tom |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310072103/http://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/movies/2015/12/16/tom-long-star-wars-review-force-awakens/77395392/ |url-status=live}} The Tribune-Star called it "basically the same" as the original film but "isn't that what we all wanted anyway?"{{cite web |last=Bahr |first=Lindsey |url=http://www.tribstar.com/features/review-star-wars-the-force-awakens-is-fun-fan-service/article_27d46ccd-5474-5718-aa79-77b966cd9387.html |title=Review: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Is Fun Fan Service |website=Tribune-Star |date=December 16, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |archive-date=December 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203122405/https://www.tribstar.com/features/review-star-wars-the-force-awakens-is-fun-fan-service/article_27d46ccd-5474-5718-aa79-77b966cd9387.html |url-status=live}} Stephanie Zacharek of Time wrote that Abrams had delivered "everything we expect, as opposed to those nebulous wonders we didn't know we wanted".{{cite magazine |last=Zacharek |first=Stephanie |author-link=Stephanie Zacharek |url=https://time.com/4150168/review-star-wars-the-force-awakens/ |title=Review: The Force Awakens Is Everything You Could Hope for in a Star Wars Movie—and Less |magazine=Time |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |archive-date=February 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227141119/http://time.com/4150168/review-star-wars-the-force-awakens/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Reviewing for Forbes, Scott Mendelson cited the film's "top-tier production values and a strong sense of scale and scope", but felt it was so much "an exercise in fan service [that] it is only due to the charisma and talent of our newbies and J. J. Abrams' undeniable skill as a visual storyteller that the Mad Libs narrative doesn't outright destroy the picture."{{cite news |last=Mendelson |first=Scott |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/12/16/star-wars-the-force-awakens-review-the-empire-strikes-out |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens Review: The Empire Strikes Out |work=Forbes |date=December 15, 2015 |access-date=December 16, 2015 |archive-date=December 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219112102/http://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2015/12/16/star-wars-the-force-awakens-review-the-empire-strikes-out/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}} Brian Merchant of Motherboard said that the film "is supposed to be all about exploring the unexplored, not rehashing the well-trod", and that "one of the most unabashedly creative enterprises of the 20th century has been rendered another largely enjoyable, but mostly forgettable Hollywood reboot."{{cite web |title='The Force Awakens' Is the Least Interesting Star Wars Yet |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-force-awakens-is-the-least-interesting-star-wars-yet/ |website=Motherboard |first=Brian |last=Merchant |author-link=Brian Merchant |date=December 21, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |archive-date=February 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206184935/http://motherboard.vice.com/read/the-force-awakens-is-the-least-interesting-star-wars-yet |url-status=live}} RogerEbert.com{{'}}s Gerardo Valero said the movie "plagiarized" A New Hope and resorted to nostalgia. He felt that it "didn't [justify] a return to the universe" from not having an original story of its own to tell in the plot, characters, and musical score, negatively comparing it to George Lucas' prequel trilogy, and that some of its climactic moments felt unearned.{{cite web |last=Valero |first=Gerardo |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/far-flung-correspondents/plagiarizing-star-wars-the-problems-with-the-force-awakens |title=Plagiarizing Star Wars the problems with The Force Awakens |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023828/https://www.rogerebert.com/far-flung-correspondents/plagiarizing-star-wars-the-problems-with-the-force-awakens |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |website=RogerEbert.com |date=January 5, 2016 |access-date=January 30, 2021 |url-status=live}}

In an interview with Charlie Rose that aired on December 24, 2015, Lucas likened his decision to sell Lucasfilm to Disney to a "divorce" and outlined the creative differences between him and the producers of The Force Awakens. Lucas described the previous Star Wars films as his "children" and criticized the "retro feel" of The Force Awakens, saying: "I worked very hard to make [my films] completely different, with different planets, with different spaceships—you know, to make it new." Lucas also likened Disney to "white slavers", which drew some criticism; he subsequently apologized.{{cite news |last1=Child |first1=Ben |title=Attack of the moans: George Lucas hits out at 'retro' Star Wars: The Force Awakens |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/dec/31/george-lucas-attacks-retro-star-wars-the-force-awakens |access-date=April 18, 2016 |work=The Guardian |date=December 31, 2015 |archive-date=October 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001032034/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/dec/31/george-lucas-attacks-retro-star-wars-the-force-awakens |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Peterson |first1=Jeff |title=George Lucas elaborates on his reaction to The Force Awakens |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645039/George-Lucas-elaborates-on-his-reaction-to-The-Force-Awakens.html?pg=all |access-date=April 18, 2016 |work=Deseret News |date=January 7, 2016 |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615220149/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865645039/George-Lucas-elaborates-on-his-reaction-to-The-Force-Awakens.html?pg=all |url-status=dead}} In a 2019 memoir, Disney chairman Bob Iger said that Lucas "couldn't even hide his disappointment" towards Abrams' interpretation. According to Iger, Lucas said, "there's nothing new" after seeing the film, and that "there weren't enough visual or technical leaps forward".{{Cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/george-lucas-couldnt-hide-his-disappointment-when-he-was-show-star-wars-the-force-awakens-103743963.html |title=George Lucas 'couldn't hide his disappointment' when he was shown Star Wars: The Force Awakens |publisher=Yahoo! |first=Ben |last=Arnold |date=September 24, 2019 |access-date=September 24, 2019 |archive-date=September 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924172934/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/george-lucas-couldnt-hide-his-disappointment-when-he-was-show-star-wars-the-force-awakens-103743963.html |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.inverse.com/article/59505-star-wars-9-sequels-george-lucas |title=Bob Iger reveals the 1 thing George Lucas hates about the Star Wars sequels |first=Jen |last=Glennon |website=Inverse |date=September 24, 2019 |access-date=September 24, 2019 |archive-date=September 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924172928/https://www.inverse.com/article/59505-star-wars-9-sequels-george-lucas |url-status=live}} Lucas preferred Rian Johnson's sequel The Last Jedi and the anthology film Rogue One (2016).{{Cite web |last=Shepherd |first=Jack |date=December 13, 2017 |title=George Lucas gives his verdict on Star Wars: The Last Jedi |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-8-george-lucas-the-last-jedi-review-a8107156.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725064753/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/star-wars-8-george-lucas-the-last-jedi-review-a8107156.html |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=December 3, 2020 |website=The Independent}}{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/12/09/george-lucas-seems-to-like-rogue-one-is-his-relationship-with-star-wars-less-awkward-now/ |title=George Lucas says he loves Rogue One. Is his relationship with Disney's Star Wars less awkward now? |first=Michael |last=Cavna |date=December 9, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=September 24, 2019 |archive-date=September 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924172928/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/comic-riffs/wp/2016/12/09/george-lucas-seems-to-like-rogue-one-is-his-relationship-with-star-wars-less-awkward-now/ |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}

{{Main|List of accolades received by Star Wars: The Force Awakens{{!}}List of accolades received by Star Wars: The Force Awakens}}

Several awards held their nominations before the December release of The Force Awakens, making the film ineligible for the 73rd Golden Globe Awards and some other awards ceremonies.{{cite news |title=Critics' Choice Awards add 'The Force Awakens' as an 11th best picture nominee |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2015-12-22/critics-choice-add-force-awakens-as-best-picture-nominee |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160107031605/http://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2015-12-22/critics-choice-add-force-awakens-as-best-picture-nominee |url-status=live |archive-date=January 7, 2016 |access-date=December 25, 2015 |work=U.S. News & World Report |date=December 22, 2015}} However, the film was added to the 21st Critics' Choice Awards' slate of best picture nominees after a special vote by the board of directors,{{cite web |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/race/critics-choice-awards-star-wars-850711 |title=Critics' Choice Awards: 'Star Wars' Added as 11th Best Pic Nominee |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2016 |last=Feinberg |first=Scott |archive-date=January 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121120011/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/critics-choice-awards-star-wars-850711 |url-status=live}} and the announcement of the 2015 American Film Institute Awards was delayed until after the release of The Force Awakens, where it was named one of the top-ten films of 2015.{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Rebecca |date=December 16, 2015 |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens Lands on AFI's Top 10 List |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/star-wars-force-awakens-lands-849517/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513195429/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/star-wars-force-awakens-lands-849517/ |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

At the 88th Academy Awards, The Force Awakens received nominations for Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, Best Sound Editing, Best Sound Mixing, and Best Visual Effects.{{Cite web |date=February 28, 2016 |title=Oscars: The Complete Winners List |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/oscars-winners-list-updated-results-856950/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220509015439/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/oscars-winners-list-updated-results-856950/ |archive-date=May 9, 2022 |access-date=May 9, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} The film's other nominations include four British Academy Film Awards (winning one) and a Critics' Choice Movie Award.{{Cite web |last=Ritman |first=Alex |date=February 14, 2016 |title=BAFTA Awards: Complete Winners List |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-bafta-winners-complete-list-856951/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412232853/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-bafta-winners-complete-list-856951/ |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |access-date=April 19, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2016 |title=Critics' Choice Awards: The Complete Winners List |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-critics-choice-awards-winners-856447 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411071053/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016-critics-choice-awards-winners-856447 |archive-date=April 11, 2021 |access-date=April 19, 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}

The release of the first film trailer for The Force Awakens in 2015 spurred a racial backlash against the casting of Boyega, a Black British actor, in such a prominent role.{{cite book |last1=Quiroga |first1=Stefan Aguirre |title=White Mythic Space: Racism, the First World War, and 'Battlefield 1' |date=2022 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter |location=Berlin |isbn=978-3-11-072930-6 |page=126}}{{Cite web |last=Morrow |first=Brendan |title=John Boyega says 'Star Wars' was 'whitest,' most 'elite space' while reflecting on racist backlash |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2025/03/31/john-boyega-star-wars-racism-finn/82742876007/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} Some social media users called for a boycott of the film, which they accused of being "anti-white"{{Cite web |last=McMillan |first=Graeme |date=October 19, 2015 |title='Boycott "Star Wars VII{{" '}} Movement Launched; Movie Called 'Anti-White' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/boycott-star-wars-vii-movement-833102/ |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} and of promoting "white genocide".{{cite book |last1=Kempshall |first1=Chris |title=The History and Politics of Star Wars: Death Stars and Democracy |date=2023 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |location=London |isbn=978-1-351-38270-0 |pages=204–205}}{{Cite magazine |last=Kamen |first=Matt |title=Racists want to #BoycottStarWarsVII because it's 'anti-white' |url=https://www.wired.com/story/star-wars-force-awakens-racist-boycott/ |access-date=2025-05-26 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}} One such account promoted the Cultural Marxism conspiracy theory.{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Ben |date=October 27, 2015 |title=The Star Wars Boycott, the Frankfurt School, and Cultural Marxism |url=https://news.artnet.com/opinion/cultural-marxism-boycott-star-wars-348914 |access-date=February 19, 2023 |website=Artnet News}} The character of Rey was also criticized as a too-perfect "Mary Sue" character by a group of fans who became known as the "Fandom Menace", who focused their ire at Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, whom they accused of spoiling the film franchise by including "forced diversity" and pro-feminist politics.{{sfnp|Kempshall|2023|pp=200–202}}

{{Main|Star Wars: The Last Jedi{{!}}Star Wars: The Last Jedi|Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker{{!}}Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker}}

The Force Awakens was followed by the sequels The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, which conclude the sequel trilogy. Both grossed over $1{{nbsp}}billion, ranking among the highest-grossing films of the year.{{Cite web |title=2017 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2017/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211165008/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2017/ |archive-date=February 11, 2021 |access-date=August 19, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}}{{Cite web |title=2019 Worldwide Box Office |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2019/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425204010/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/year/world/2019/ |archive-date=April 25, 2020 |access-date=August 19, 2023 |website=Box Office Mojo}} The Last Jedi garnered positive reviews from critics while The Rise of Skywalker received a mixed response.{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=December 21, 2017 |title=Star Wars: The Last Jedi is being review-bombed on Rotten Tomatoes (update) |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/18/16792184/star-wars-the-last-jedi-rotten-tomatoes-review-bomb |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211021141849/https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/18/16792184/star-wars-the-last-jedi-rotten-tomatoes-review-bomb |archive-date=October 21, 2021 |access-date=October 21, 2021 |website=Polygon}}{{cite web |first=Brandon |last=Katz |title=No, Disney Isn't Erasing the 'Star Wars' Sequel Trilogy |url=https://observer.com/2020/07/disney-isnt-ignoring-erasing-star-wars-lucasfilm-box-office/ |website=The New York Observer |date=July 15, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817110804/https://observer.com/2020/07/disney-isnt-ignoring-erasing-star-wars-lucasfilm-box-office/ |archive-date=August 17, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |first=Drew |last=Taylor |title=One Year Later, 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Still Sucks |url=https://collider.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-still-bad/ |website=Collider |date=December 18, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818102802/https://collider.com/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-still-bad/ |archive-date=August 18, 2021 |url-status=live}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist|refs=

{{cite web |first=Jeff |last=MacGregor |title=How Anthony Daniels Gives C-3PO an Unlikely Dash of Humanity |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/anthony-daniels-c3po-unlikely-dash-humanity-180967212/ |website=Smithsonian |date=December 2017 |access-date=November 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506210129/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/anthony-daniels-c3po-unlikely-dash-humanity-180967212/ |archive-date=May 6, 2021 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=December 21, 2019 |title=Who are the Knights of Ren? Unmasking Kylo's troupe in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker |url=https://ew.com/movies/2019/12/21/knights-of-ren-explained-star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211112134005/https://ew.com/movies/patty-jenkins-star-wars-movie-rogue-squadron-delayed/ |archive-date=November 12, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}

{{Cite web |last=Alexander |first=Julia |date=July 19, 2017 |title=Here's your first look at Kylo Ren's latest upgrade in Star Wars: The Last Jedi |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/7/19/16000964/kylo-ren-star-wars-last-jedi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211113001113/https://www.polygon.com/2017/7/19/16000964/kylo-ren-star-wars-last-jedi |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |website=Polygon}}

{{Cite web |last=Levine |first=Nick |date=January 5, 2017 |title=Adam Driver on what to expect from Kylo Ren in 'Star Wars: Episode VIII' |url=https://www.nme.com/photos/film-photos/adam-driver-on-what-to-expect-from-kylo-ren-in-star-wars-episode-viii-1935412 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211112134101/https://www.nme.com/photos/film-photos/adam-driver-on-what-to-expect-from-kylo-ren-in-star-wars-episode-viii-1935412 |archive-date=November 12, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |website=NME}}

{{Cite web |last=Liptak |first=Andrew |date=December 27, 2016 |title=Carrie Fisher has died at the age of 60 |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/27/14074922/carrie-fisher-star-wars-princess-leia-obituary |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211112015545/https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/27/14074922/carrie-fisher-star-wars-princess-leia-obituary |archive-date=November 12, 2021 |access-date=November 12, 2021 |website=The Verge}}

{{Cite web |last=Lumb |first=D. |date=August 17, 2018 |title='Star Wars Resistance' trailer shows off its anime style |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018-08-17-star-wars-resistance-trailer-shows-anime-style-debut-october-7th.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211112015512/https://www.engadget.com/2018-08-17-star-wars-resistance-trailer-shows-anime-style-debut-october-7th.html |archive-date=November 12, 2021 |access-date=November 12, 2021 |website=Engadget}}

{{cite web |title=Star Wars: Han Solo origin film announced |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33439026 |website=BBC |date=July 8, 2015 |access-date=November 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204170915/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-33439026 |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Adam |date=July 8, 2015 |title=11 actors who are Harrison Ford-y enough to pull off a young Han Solo |url=https://qz.com/447959/11-actors-who-are-harrison-ford-y-enough-to-pull-off-a-young-han-solo/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211105205701/https://qz.com/447959/11-actors-who-are-harrison-ford-y-enough-to-pull-off-a-young-han-solo/ |archive-date=November 5, 2021 |access-date=November 5, 2021 |website=Quartz}}

{{Cite web |last=Sinha-Roy |first=Piya |date=December 16, 2015 |title='The Force Awakens' with journey to recover a missing Skywalker |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/film-starwars/the-force-awakens-with-journey-to-recover-a-missing-skywalker-idUSL1N1442HW20151216 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211108223951/https://www.reuters.com/article/film-starwars/the-force-awakens-with-journey-to-recover-a-missing-skywalker-idUSL1N1442HW20151216 |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |access-date=November 8, 2021 |website=Reuters}}

{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Gael Fashingbauer |date=October 10, 2017 |title=I'm 'The Last Jedi.' Me. Luke. At least I'm pretty sure I am |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/who-is-the-last-jedi-star-wars-luke-skywalker-rian-johnson/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211106051407/https://www.cnet.com/news/who-is-the-last-jedi-star-wars-luke-skywalker-rian-johnson/ |archive-date=November 6, 2021 |access-date=November 6, 2021 |website=CNET}}

{{Cite web |last1=Richwine |first1=Lisa |last2=Gorman |first2=Steve |date=May 3, 2019 |title=Peter Mayhew, actor who played Chewbacca in 'Star Wars' movies, dies |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-starwars-chewbacca/peter-mayhew-actor-who-played-chewbacca-in-star-wars-movies-dies-idUSKCN1S82DB |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211103233730/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-starwars-chewbacca/peter-mayhew-actor-who-played-chewbacca-in-star-wars-movies-dies-idUSKCN1S82DB |archive-date=November 3, 2021 |access-date=November 4, 2021 |website=Reuters}}

{{cite magazine |first=Anthony |last=Breznican |author-link=Anthony Breznican |title=Watch Chewie become co-pilot in Solo: A Star Wars Story clip |url=https://ew.com/movies/2018/05/04/solo-star-wars-story-chewbacca-millennium-falcon/ |date=May 4, 2018 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=November 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507185012/https://ew.com/movies/2018/05/04/solo-star-wars-story-chewbacca-millennium-falcon/ |archive-date=May 7, 2018 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Eric |date=January 8, 2020 |title=Maz Kanata Wasn't CGI In The Rise Of Skywalker |url=https://nerdist.com/article/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-maz-kanata-cgi-puppet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211104221858/https://nerdist.com/article/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-maz-kanata-cgi-puppet/ |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=November 5, 2021 |website=Nerdist Industries}}

{{Cite web |last=Anderton |first=Joe |date=May 10, 2017 |title=Star Wars hints at connection between Maz Kanata and classic character with Battlefront II Easter egg |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a839898/star-wars-battlefront-ii-easter-egg-boba-fett-slave-i-maz-kanata/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211104221848/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a839898/star-wars-battlefront-ii-easter-egg-boba-fett-slave-i-maz-kanata/ |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=November 5, 2021 |website=Digital Spy}}

{{Cite web |last=Ankers |first=Adele |date=October 19, 2020 |title=New Star Wars Book Clears Up Mystery About Snoke's Origins |url=https://sea.ign.com/news/164820/new-star-wars-book-clears-up-mystery-about-snokes-origins |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211113005538/https://sea.ign.com/news/164820/new-star-wars-book-clears-up-mystery-about-snokes-origins |archive-date=November 13, 2021 |access-date=November 13, 2021 |website=IGN}}

{{Cite web |last=Blauvelt |first=Christian |date=March 9, 2020 |title=Max von Sydow, Who Bridged the European Arthouse and Hollywood, Dies at 90 |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2020/03/max-von-sydow-dies-at-90-tribute-obituary-1202216344/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211106215857/https://www.indiewire.com/2020/03/max-von-sydow-dies-at-90-tribute-obituary-1202216344/ |archive-date=November 6, 2021 |access-date=November 8, 2021 |website=IndieWire}}

{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Ben |date=March 9, 2020 |title=Max Von Sydow Dies Aged 90 |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/max-von-sydow-dies-aged-90/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211106215846/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/max-von-sydow-dies-aged-90/ |archive-date=November 6, 2021 |access-date=November 8, 2021 |website=Empire}}

{{Cite web |last=Hawkes |first=Rebecca |date=January 6, 2016 |title=The 'secret' Chewbacca: meet the 6'11" basketball player who shared the role with Peter Mayhew |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens/chewbacca-actor-double-joonas-suotamo-peter-mayhew/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211104043605/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/star-wars-the-force-awakens/chewbacca-actor-double-joonas-suotamo-peter-mayhew/ |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=November 4, 2021 |website=The Daily Telegraph}}

{{Cite web |last=Groundwater |first=Colin |date=June 10, 2021 |title=This 7-foot Actor Is the Go-to for All Of Hollywood's Giants and Aliens (and Giant Aliens) |url=https://www.gq.com/story/meet-the-go-to-actor-for-giants-and-aliens |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211104043642/https://www.gq.com/story/meet-the-go-to-actor-for-giants-and-aliens |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |access-date=November 4, 2021 |website=GQ}}

{{cite web |last=Davis |first=Edward |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens': Domhnall Gleeson Revealed To Be On The Dark Side As General Hux |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/star-wars-the-force-awakens-domhnall-gleeson-revealed-to-be-on-the-dark-side-as-general-hux-20150710 |publisher=IndieWire |access-date=July 10, 2015 |date=July 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713205049/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/star-wars-the-force-awakens-domhnall-gleeson-revealed-to-be-on-the-dark-side-as-general-hux-20150710 |archive-date=July 13, 2015 |url-status=dead}}

{{Cite web |last=Yamato |first=Jen |date=December 14, 2017 |title=13 characters you need to know before seeing 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-star-wars-last-jedi-characters-20171214-htmlstory.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211112020206/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-star-wars-last-jedi-characters-20171214-htmlstory.html |archive-date=November 12, 2021 |access-date=November 12, 2021 |website=Los Angeles Times}}

{{Cite web |last=Cremona |first=Patrick |date=December 19, 2019 |title=Meet the cast of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-cast/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20211117000854/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker-cast/ |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |access-date=November 17, 2021 |website=Radio Times}}

}}

• {{cite book |last=Szostak |first=Phil |title=The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker |year=2019 |publisher=Abrams Books |isbn=978-1-4197-4038-1}}
• {{cite book |title=Star Wars: The Force Awakens: The Visual Dictionary |first=Pablo |last=Hidalgo |author-link=Pablo Hidalgo |year=2015 |publisher=DK Publishing |location=New York |isbn=978-1-4654-3816-4}}

{{Sister project links|display=Star Wars: The Force Awakens|d=Q6074|c=category:Star Wars: The Force Awakens|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|species=no|s=no|wikt=no|n=no}}

• {{Official website|http://www.starwars.com/films/star-wars-episode-vii-the-force-awakens|Star Wars: The Force Awakens}} at {{URL|starwars.com|StarWars.com}}
• {{Official website|http://lucasfilm.com/productions/episode-vii|Star Wars: The Force Awakens}} at {{URL|lucasfilm.com|Lucasfilm.com}}
• {{IMDb title}}
• {{ISFDB title|1938884}}

{{Navboxes|list1=

{{Star Wars sequel trilogy}}

{{Star Wars}}

{{Lucasfilm}}

{{J. J. Abrams}}

{{Lawrence Kasdan}}

{{Michael Arndt}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Awards for Star Wars: The Force Awakens

| list1 =

{{BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects}}

{{Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie}}

{{MTV Movie Award for Best Movie}}

{{Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film}}

}}

{{Yearly highest-grossing US films}}

}}

{{Portal bar|Film|United States|Speculative fiction|Disney}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens}}

Category:Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Category:2010s adventure films

Category:2010s science fiction adventure films

Category:2015 3D films

Category:2015 science fiction action films

Category:2015 science fiction films

Category:American 3D films

Category:American science fiction war films

Category:American science fiction action films

Category:American sequel films

Category:Bad Robot Productions films

Category:BAFTA winners (films)

Category:Films about deserters

Category:Films about missing people

Category:Films directed by J. J. Abrams

Category:Films produced by J. J. Abrams

Category:Films produced by Kathleen Kennedy

Category:Films scored by John Williams

Category:Films shot at Pinewood Studios

Category:Films shot in Abu Dhabi

Category:Films shot in Berkshire

Category:Films shot in Buckinghamshire

Category:Films shot in County Kerry

Category:Films shot in Iceland

Category:Films shot in the United Arab Emirates

Category:Films set in deserts

Category:Films using motion capture

Category:Films using stop-motion animation

Category:Films with screenplays by J. J. Abrams

Category:IMAX films

Category:Lucasfilm films

Category:Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award–winning films

Category:Films about patricide

The Force Awakens

Category:2010s English-language films

Category:2010s American films

Category:Films with screenplays by Lawrence Kasdan

Category:Films with screenplays by Michael Arndt

Category:Saturn Award–winning films

Category:Teen Choice Award winning films

Category:English-language science fiction adventure films

Category:English-language science fiction action films

Category:American science fantasy films

Category:2010s science fantasy films

Category:American epic fantasy films