By Yesterday at an industry event in Los Angeles, it was announced that J.J. Abrams will shoot Star Wars Episode VII on 35mm (Kodak film stock 5219) rather than going digital. Dan Mindel will be the film’s cinematographer. Mindel has previously worked as Abrams’ DP on Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek, and Star Trek Into Darkness, and his other film credits include John Carter, Savages, and the forthcoming Amazing Spider-Man 2.
Shooting on 35mm is just the latest sign that Episode VII will be kicking it old school. Earlier in the summer, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy said that they would use scale models and actual locations as much as possible rather than relying on CG and empty rooms full of blue screen.
Star Wars Episode VII is slated for 2015. There are rumors out there that the film will aim for a December release rather than the summer. Given that the summer blockbuster season is getting more and more crowded these days, this might be a good idea if true.
[TheForce.net via The Playlist; Screen Rant]