Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set 30 years after the destruction of the Empire.
Return of the Jedi . Since the Emperor plans to personally oversee the final stages of its construction , the Rebel Fleet launches a full-scale attack on the Death Star in order to prevent its completion and kill the Emperor , effectively bringing an end to the Empire 's hold over the galaxy . Star Wars: The Force Awakens . Set 30 years after Return of the Jedi , it follows Rey , Finn and Poe Dameron 's search for Luke Skywalker and their fight alongside the Resistance , led by veterans of the Rebel Alliance , against Kylo Ren and the First Order , a successor organization to the Galactic Empire .