‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’: Even The Running Time Follows Tradition
The running time for Star Wars: The Force Awakens will apparently follow Star Wars tradition.
During Disney’s D23 expo convention, one of the biggest highlights covered was the highly-anticipated seventh installment of the Star Wars franchise.
According to multiple reports, director J.J. Abrams confirmed that the initial cut of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is 124 minutes – approximately 2 hours and 4 minutes.
Quite a few fans were excited by the announcement of the running time since it means that the seventh episode will follow the same tradition kept by the other Star Wars films – running no shorter than 2 hours but no longer than 2 1/2 hours.
It’s official. STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS will run 124 minutes. #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/67ZBdzTA9a
— Ben Lane (@benlanesreviews) August 15, 2015
New STAR WARS movie is close to the same running time as the other movies? Oh man. Better get the fanboys a diaper. — Joshua Lightfoot (@Joshinator1989) August 15, 2015
124 minutes of HEAVEN (I love that this is breaking news… THE RUNTIME!!!) http://t.co/Ale3myofz6
— Rog (@yehitsroger) August 15, 2015
Also, the runtime of VII will be 124 minutes. That’s the sweet spot, and keeping with Star Wars tradition. — Conor Reid (@conorreid) August 15, 2015
According to Google, the first three episodes of the long-running Star Wars franchise ranged between 125 and 136 minutes in length:
- A New Hope: 125 minutes
- Empire Strikes Back: 127 minutes
- Return of the Jedi: 136 minutes
Quite a few fans and critics expressed their excitement about Star Wars: The Force Awakens running for 124 minutes on Twitter. However, other Star Wars fans used the same social media platform to complain about the timing – claiming that the film should be much longer.
@starwars 2h 4m is far too short for TFA. Forward that to whoever you have to, please! It should be at least RotS length.
— Joshua Gonzalez (@jayjaygeez) August 16, 2015
The runtime for #TheForceAwakens has revealed, 124 minutes that is NOT enough!!!! #StarWars #D23Expo — Nick Vargas (@NickHgMn96) August 15, 2015
The running time for Star Wars: The Force Awakens was not the only Star Wars movie highlight shared during the D23 expo.
For instance, Harrison Ford appeared on stage alongside J.J. Abrams with a bright smile and a lot of energy – undoubtedly exciting Han Solo fans around the world.
The new movie poster for Episode 7 of the George Lucas-created franchise was also revealed during the convention.
New #TheForceAwakens poster, first #RogueOne pic and other @StarWars news from @DisneyD23 http://t.co/hxyYRRVTPc pic.twitter.com/ctd1QbNn8I
— BBC Ents News Team (@BBCNewsEnts) August 16, 2015
With the premiere of Star Wars: The Force Awakens nearly four months away, chances are that the best is yet to come when it comes to what J.J. Abrams and the cast & crew have in store for Star Wars fans.
[Image Credit: Jesse Grant/Getty Images]