Star Wars fever is officially upon us. Just a few days after the release a new Korean TV spot for the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens, new piece in Entertainment Weekly reveals many more details about the upcoming return to the galaxy far, far away.
We receive a peek at 13 new images from the set of the new Star Wars film that give new details about the characters in the movie.
In the pictures, we finally get a look at the leader of the First Order – General Hux – portrayed by Domhnall Gleeson (5th from the top). A close up shot of Captain Phasma (4th from the top) reveals his shiny armor along with modified version of an E-11 blaster, originally used by Stormtroopers in the original trilogy. C3PO appears to have a red arm (5th from the bottom), confirming the rumors that he would. Other shots include looks at other characters in the new movie, including scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley, top, bottom)), ex-Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega, bottom) and the new rolling droid BB-8 (4th from bottom).
The article also covers new details about the journey that led to J.J. Abrams serving as director. At first hesitant, Abrams said he first declined the offer from producer Kathleen Kennedy about leading the franchise. Coming off rebooting the Star Trek franchise in 2009 and directing its sequel in 2013, Abrams felt the inclination to work on original projects. But Kennedy asked Abrams one question that sealed the deal:
Who is Luke Skywalker?
This question led to the Abrams to develop the story for The Force Awakens.
Taking place 30 years after Return of the Jedi, the Empire now runs as The New Order and is led by General Hux. Meanwhile, the sect that opposes them will be known the Resistance, which includes X-wing pilot Poe Dameron portrayed by Oscar Issac (2nd from top). Princess Leia will come across the lightsaber that Luke lost in the climactic duel in The Empire Strikes Back, which will factor into the story. Along the way, scavenger Rey and Stormtrooper-turned-rebel Finn will run for their lives with BB-8 and eventually board the Millenium Falcon with Han Solo and Chewbacca.
J.J. Abrams worked closely with The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi writer Lawrence Kasdan in weaving the story of the seventh chapter in the Star Wars saga. Kasdan had been working on standalone Han Solo project that just got confirmed.
Abrams will not return to direct Episode VIII or IX.
As new details from the set of Star Wars become more frequent, the anticipation will continue to build up to a possible record-shattering opening weekend this winter.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theatres December 18, 2015.
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