Thirty years after the battle of endor the empire has morphed into a junta known as the first order while x wing pilots now fly for a splinter group known as the resistance new heroes awaken to set order in the force and many old faces return to guide their way directed by jj abrams and co written by abrams and veteran star wars screenwriter lawrence kasdan based on a story treatment by george lucas star wars episode vii the force awakens features the return of stars harrison ford mar