The contest winner of the Star Wars: Force For Change initiative, which goes towards UNICEF Innovation Labs and Programs to help children and families around the world, was revealed today, and Star Wars: Episode VII director posted a note of thanks to all those who contributed to the cause.

D.C. Barns, of Denver, CO, has won the opportunity to not only visit the London set to go behind-the-scenes of the new Star Wars film, but to also be in the film in full costume and make-up! You can watch the “winner reveal” video here below and rejoice with life-long Star Wars fans Barns as he embarks on the experience of a lifetime!

Back in May, a video was released from the set of Star Wars: Episode VII featuring director J.J. Abrams talking about a chance to appear in the movie by donating to an initiative through UNICEF that aims to help thousands of kids and families around the world called Star Wars: Force for Change.

Now, with only a few days left, another video with Abrams has been released to announce that if you take part in the initiative this final week not only will you have a chance to win a role in the movie, but also a chance to win an advanced hometown screening of Episode VII for you and 20 of your friends and family. And just as the first video subtly revealed that practical makeup and effects would be a part of the new movie in the appearance of an alien, this new video unveils a full-size X-wing starfighter.

You can check out the video below.

We’ve known that Star Wars: Episode VII would shoot on stock film instead of digital for quite some time. But the fact that director J.J. Abrams has shot on IMAX cameras before left the door open for the possibility that the film could be shot, not converted, into IMAX.

Now a new photo from the official Bad Robot Twitter account has posted a photo of an IMAX camera being used to shoot what is presumed to be a scene in Mos Eisley. Hit the jump to check it out.

Star Wars films have been known for their May releases; in fact, all six of the films preceding the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII were released in the month of May. But Episode VII will separate itself from the pack by getting a December release. But with May 2015 already jam packed with films like Avengers: Age of Ultron, and May 2016 already headlined by an epic Marvel battle (Captain America 3) vs D.C. (Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice) battle, Episode VII having a December release makes a lot of sense.

Of course, that was all before Harrison Ford broke his leg, and learned that the recovery could last as long as two to six months. Then the idea of pushing the film to a May release sounded a bit more realistic, because that would allow Abrams and producer Kathleen Kennedy to flesh out the script and polish it just in time for their desired May release. However, Disney hasn’t said a word about the situation, which implies that they are sticking to the December 2015 release. This debate is reportedly so contested that it may have actually been why Abrams lost the job directing the entire trilogy. Hit the jump to learn more.

Ever since J.J. Abrams signed on to direct Star Wars: Episode VII early last year there was intense speculation as to whether he would be in for further installments in the sequel trilogy. Speculate no more, dear speculators, for Rian Johnson has officially been handed the directorial reins for the tentatively-titled Star Wars: Episode VIII and Star Wars: Episode IX, per Deadline’s Mike Fleming Jr.

Previously best known for writing and directing the indie cult gems Brick and The Brothers Bloom, Johnson made his entry into the arena of original science-fiction cinema with the 2012 smash hit Looper. The director’s love of the genre and ability to work equally well with big name stars and acclaimed actors doubtlessly played a part in his nabbing the coveted assignment of bringing the second and third Star Wars sequels to life. In an unsurprising development, Johnson will also write the screenplays for both films.