It seems like we’ve been waiting forever for any bit of Star Wars news outside of the weekly round of casting rumors. Today, Disney announced that Star Wars: Episode VII will arrive in theaters December 18, 2015.

The announcement was posted on StarWars.com and accompanied by a quote from chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, Alan Horn.

“We’re very excited to share the official 2015 release date for Star Wars: Episode VII, where it will not only anchor the popular holiday filmgoing season but also ensure our extraordinary filmmaking team has the time needed to deliver a sensational picture.”

Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams and is currently being co-written by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan (Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi).

Filming is scheduled to begin in spring 2014 at Pinewood Studios in England.

With a release date now secured, perhaps we’ll be hearing about some long-awaited casting news soon. Until then, mark your calendars and add yet another major blockbuster movie to the 2015 box office schedule.