Via Ign.com:

So that Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens teaser trailer that we’ve obsessed over for the last couple of weeks? It almost didn’t happen.

Speaking to Variety, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that the teaser was only made to satisfy rabid fan interest. From the interview:

“Disney nearly didn’t release a trailer, Iger admitted. Abrams is known for wanting to keep footage of his films under wraps. But the rabid “Star Wars” fanbase prompted Disney to come up with the brief introduction of what the new film would look like.”

Iger is fully aware of the weight of responsibility Disney is carrying on its shoulders.

“I keep telling J.J. Abrams this is a $4 billion movie,” he said. “We need to treat this very special. It’s an unbelievable privilege and unbelievable responsibility to take a jewel and treat it in a way that is respectful of its past but brings it into the future.”

Encouragingly, Iger also mentioned Abrams’ use of practical effects in the film. He himself believes that CGI has created homogeneity in SFX-heavy films, and reliance on it has made filmmaking seem “too easy.”

“[Practical effects] will give the film a look that will be extremely respectful of the look George (Lucas) created in the ’70s,” Iger said, “and will play well with ardent ‘Star Wars’ fans and play well with audiences today.

“There’s a sameness to a lot of these films today. The wow factor isn’t what it used to be. J.J. decided to create the physical wow factor.”