Hmmmm, things just got a little more interesting on the release date front....

Disney just moved Pirates of the Caribbean 5 out of 2015 altogether. I'd completely forgotten about it. It was to have hit on July 10th, but with Ant-Man now hitting on July 31st they'd basically be competing with themselves. Also, small detail: there's no script for the movie yet.

So, where does this leave Episode 7?

Disney's Pixar movie Inside Out hits June 19th, and they've got a Marvel movie a month and a half away on either side. Things are nicely spaced out for them now, and they've got enough competition as it is. Universal just set a June 12th date for Jurassic Park IV.

Finding Dory comes out November 25th. Disney doesn't have any serious competition in December to worry about, just animated flicks and oscar bait. Putting out Episode VII December 23rd would see it going up against Kung Fu Panda 3, but that's counterprogramming anyway.

Anything could happen, and I'm not completely ruling out the traditional late-May release, but this December business is looking more and more likely.