Even without any official casting announcements, we now know exactly when to expect Star Wars: Episode VII. The first film of the Disney-owned Star Wars era arrives on Dec. 18, 2015, just a little more than two years away. In a new interview, director J.J. Abrams explained why the holiday release date is much better and more realistic than initial reports of a summer 2015 release.

"Before I even came onto the project they were talking about 2015 and they made this announcement very early on — which I understand, and I understand why they would want that, but it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the reality of where anyone was creatively, so I think it's a hugely important thing that [the creative aspect] comes first," Abrams told MTV. "A release date's great, but you have to release something great. To me, the new release date is a huge improvement."

Elsewhere, Abrams spoke with Total Film about shooting the Star Wars sequel in London — an exciting, yet daunting prospect for the director.

"I'm torn because I have done everything I can to keep the production of my projects in Los Angeles," he said. "Yet the opportunity to work with U.K. crews is something that has always been a dream of mine. Of course, that dream existed prior to me being married and having a family, so the reality of making a movie like that for any period of time becomes much more difficult when there are other people that you desperately love and care for involved."

(via Collider)