Star Wars Episode 7 creatives asked for – and were denied – an extension

LucasFilm’s Kathleen Kennedy sought to delay the release of Star Wars Episode VII, but was denied by Disney.

This is according to a new report by THR, who suggest the creative team are scrambling to meet the 2015 deadline.

Screenwriter Michael Arndt recently exited the project, with director J.J. Abrams and The Empire Strikes Back scripter Lawrence Kasdan taking over.

According to THR’s sources, Kennedy and her fellow creatives asked to push the release to 2016.

Disney’s CEO Robert Iger refused to budge.

Apparently Abrams has become “autocratic in recent months” and has taken over the casting process, as he too is adamant about meeting that 2015 date.

All of this sounds like a great working environment! 

Sometimes strict time constraints can help keep a project from ballooning out or spiralling out of control, not simply in terms of budget, but also in regards to story.

Here’s hoping that’s the effect it will have here.