This Is What Star Wars 7: The Force Awakens Was Originally Titled

Star Wars: The Force Awakens was not always the name of the sci-fi blockbuster.

Lucasfilm Story Group creative executive Pablo Hidalgo says on Twitter that, "for a long time," the movie was being developed under the title Star Wars: Shadow of the Empire.

That's very close to Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire, which was the name of a late '90s novel and game whose story bridged the gap between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

Some time later, Shadow of the Empire became The Force Awakens. Subtitles for future installments in the main series, Episode VIII and IX, have not been announced.

The movie came to theaters worldwide on December 18. It's made lots and lots of money, breaking an assortment of records.