'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' to Release Early in Europe

European “Star Wars” fans will be able to see the seventh film in the franchise ahead of the United States.

The official U.K. Twitter page of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” tweeted an official 100-day countdown to its Dec. 17th release date on Monday, however the film is set to open in U.S. theaters on Dec. 18.

In France, Italy and several other European countries, the movie will debut on Dec. 16.

See Video: 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Teaser Reveals John Boyega Wielding Lightsaber (Video)

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” stars newcomers Daisy Ridley and John Boyega, and brings back Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, reprising their roles as Han Solo, Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, respectively. Newcomers to the franchise include Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson and Max von Sydow.

The Force Awakens will be released in the UK on December 17th. The hundred day countdown starts today! pic.twitter.com/GRlWtZfWMl

— Star Wars UK (@StarWarsUK) September 7, 2015

'Star Wars: Episode VII' Timeline - From Greenlight to J.J. Abrams' Cast Revealed

OCT. 30 2012: Disney buys Lucasfilm from George Lucas for $4.05 billion, and announces a new trilogy of "Star Wars" films. Fans rejoice, trim their neck beards.
NOV. 9, 2012: Oscar-winning "Little Miss Sunshine" screenwriter Michael Arndt is announced to write "Star Wars: Episode VII."
Getty Images
JAN. 25, 2013: Disney announces J.J. Abrams will direct "Star Wars: Episode VII," despite his link to Paramount's "Star Trek" film series.
Getty Images
JUL. 27, 2013: Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy announces to fans at Star Wars Celebration Europe that five-time Oscar-winning composer John Williams will return to score "Episode VII."
Getty Images
AUG. 22, 2013: "Star Trek" cinematographer Dan Mindel reveals he has been hired to get behind the camera for "Episode VII," and will shoot on 35mm film.
OCT. 24, 2013: Lucasfilm announces that "Empire Strikes Back" screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan will co-write the screenplay for "Episode VII" with J.J. Abrams. The two set to work on a draft originally written by Arndt, who leaves the project.
Getty Images
NOV. 14, 2013: Bad Robot confirms on Twitter what most fans pretty much already knew: R2-D2 will be back.
Twitter
DEC. 3, 2013: Lucasfilm launches the official "Star Wars" Instagram account with Darth Vader showing off a fresh selfie on a smart phone.
Instagram
JAN. 19, 2014: J.J. Abrams reveals at the Television Critics Association summer press tour that the script for "Episode VII" is complete.
Getty Images
FEB. 26, 2014: TheWrap learns that "Girls" star Adam Driver is nearing a deal to play an undisclosed villain role in "Episode VII." Disney, Lucasfilm and Driver's reps would not confirm.
Getty Images
NOV. 7 2013: Disney announces that "Star Wars: Episode VII" will be released on Dec. 18, 2015.
MAR. 18, 2014: Disney CEO Bob Iger announces that “Episode VII” starts shooting in May, and that it takes place 30 years after the events of “Return of the Jedi.”
Getty Images
MAR. 18 2014: Iger also reveals that the film will be shot near London at Pinewood Studios, making "Episode VII" the fifth installment of the franchise to be shot in the United Kingdom.
MAR. 20, 2014: Disney and IMAX announce "Episode VII" will get a release on the biggest movie screen around (as if anybody thought otherwise).
APR. 22, 2014: While speaking at a Tribeca Film Festival panel, Disney Chairman Alan Horn teases that a major casting announcement is coming soon.
Getty Images
APR. 29, 2014: Disney, Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams have unveiled the cast of “Star Wars: Episode VII." Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson and Max von Sydow join franchise veterans Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, and Kenny Baker.
Instagram

1 of 16

With the cast of ”Episode VII“ finally unveiled, TheWrap looks back at major developments that slowly unfolded since Disney announced a new trilogy in 2012

OCT. 30 2012: Disney buys Lucasfilm from George Lucas for $4.05 billion, and announces a new trilogy of "Star Wars" films. Fans rejoice, trim their neck beards.

View In Gallery

'Star Wars: Episode VII' Timeline - From Greenlight to J.J. Abrams' Cast Revealed

7DAYFREETRIAL

7
DAY
FREE
TRIAL