The force is calling to you… Check out the first official TV spot for #StarWars #TheForceAwakens. https://t.co/tsKiEvZAK7
— Twitter (@twitter) November 8, 2015
Aren’t these surprise drops great?
Category Archives: The Force Awakens
The Force Awakens Japanese Trailer!
There’s a new trailer! We didn’t know we were going to get this! I’m freaking out! Ahhhhhhhhh!
(Note: For spoilerphobes, it doesn’t give much story away. We’ve seen most of the footage before, but there’s some new images — like GENERAL ORGANA WITH POE DAMERON!)
The Force Awakens Character Posters Revealed!
Oh hey, were you looking for some The Force Awakens pretties to tide you over until December 18? You’re in luck! Feast your eyes on five character posters featuring Rey, Finn, Kylo Ren, Han, and Leia. (No Poe Dameron, sadly.)
Leia’s sporting her look from the Official Poster, not the trailer, which has me intrigued. One is very political-looking while the other looks like a military uniform; do we get to see both sides of Leia in The Force Awakens? I would not complain.
#LukeWatch, the successor to #beardwatch, continues.
Luke Skywalker and the Secret Ninja Jedi Order
This post contains spoilers for the “Journey to the Force Awakens” books and comics.
Regular readers and listeners of Tosche Station already know my feelings about Luke Skywalker. He’s by far my favorite character in the Star Wars universe, and the reason I got invested in the Expanded Universe and read tons of books set after Return of the Jedi, even when I soured on certain events. I needed to know what happened to Luke after he became a Jedi. I wanted to know if he trained other Jedi, got married, and had children. We got answers in the form of books and comics: Luke started a Jedi Academy on Yavin 4, married Mara Jade, and had a son named Ben. He rose to the rank of General, resigned his commission after the Battle of Mindor, and dedicated his life to rebuilding the Jedi Order. His life wasn’t all roses, however. He had a brief dabble with the dark side about six years after the Battle of Endor, and many years later his own nephew/apprentice became a Sith and killed his wife.
But the Expanded Universe is now Legends, and we have a new canon. New films, depicting the events 30 years after Jedi. We never thought this day would come. Now everything we once knew about the Galaxy Far, Far Away has been altered, and we’re left to wonder about the events that happened between Jedi and The Force Awakens. We’re just now getting some answers in the form of Aftermath, Shattered Empire, and other books in the “Journey to The Force Awakens” line. But they’re just drops in the bucket, and only succeed in creating more questions. Then you add in the marketing for TFA, which has been very light on story but high on visuals and Force themes. We’ve seen Han, we’ve seen a tiny bit of Leia, but no Luke whatsoever (at least from the front).
Which leads to the most common question echoed about the internet: “Where is Luke Skywalker?” Or, better yet: “What the hell has Luke been doing in the galaxy?”
I don’t know what Luke’s been doing for the past 30 years, but I’m pretty certain he’s up to something hugely important during the events of TFA. And my favorite theory, the one I’ll cling to until December 17 (and probably even after that, even if I’m proven wrong) is that Luke is off the grid, training a group of secret ninja-like Jedi Knights.
The Force Awakens Trailer: Our Reactions
The first (and last) full-length Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer was released last night. WE’RE STILL REALLY SUPER PUMPED AND ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FORMING COHERENT SENTENCES BUT WE WILL TRY NOW.
Brian: But. How. Who? Why?
Okay, off the bat it’s pretty clear this is Rey’s film and she’s the lead. That makes me happy for so many reasons. I really need to know, though, how out of order the scenes in this trailer are. I’ve got my theories on why Leia’s so upset at the end, but it’s going to be dependent on what happens in Shattered Empire #4 and what order these scenes are ultimately in when the film finally comes out.
This was a masterclass in constructing a trailer. We get some things answered, but ultimately are left with even more questions than we had before. I’m in. I’m all in. Just put me in a coma and wake up up on December 17th.
Nanci: “There are stories about what happened.” “It’s true. All of it. The dark side. The Jedi. They’re real.” I JUST. I CANNOT EVEN. HAN SOLO, GALACTIC CYNIC, IS TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION ABOUT THE FORCE. *hyperventilates*
I love that we still have so many questions. It gave us lots of cool shots (X-WINGS! TIE FIGHTERS! OMG), but we still have no idea what’s going on, when things will happen in the movie, etc. etc. Why is Kylo Ren torturing Poe Dameron? Why do Rey and Finn know nothing about the Jedi and the Force? Why are Rey and Leia crying? HAN AND LEIA ARE HUGGING. I DON’T EVEN SHIP IT BUT I SHIP IT.
And of course, the big question is still, “Where’s Luke?” Cue my secret ninja Jedi theory….
Bria: I didn’t cry or scream. I just sorta… squeaked and curled up into a little ball. This trailer made me so happy. I don’t care that we don’t know anything about the plot or anything super definitive about the characters. I care about this movie. Right now, Rey is the one that I want to know everything about. You know… she who climbs around in crashed Star Destroyers. Between “I’m nobody” and the Han/Leia theme playing while Rey’s standing on a ship talking to Han, I’m more intrigued by her than I have been in ages. And Finn not having anything left to fight for! And poor Poe being tortured by Kylo! And that Han/Leia moment! And how the Jedi seem to be a legend! And the space battles and x-wings! AND OH GOD NO WHY IS REY CRYING AND WHY IS LEIA CRYING?!?
Star Wars? You have me. After this trailer, I’m good. I don’t need to see or know anything else until December 17th. Do I have burning questions left? Absolutely. Do I want them answered? Not until we see the movie. Which should be right now. I don’t want to analyze every last frame of the trailer. I just want to experience this galaxy.
Shoshana: Okay, let’s see if I can make this more coherent/less capslock-y than my first draft: REY. I want to know everything about Rey. I am so psyched about the start of the trailer being all Rey. It is so, so good. What’s that that she’s exploring at the start? Could it be…the Star Destroyer husk? Maybe? And Finn. Gosh, it seems like he really was a full-fledged New Order stormtrooper there, huh? I want to know how he got to where he is. And everything about him, also. And WHY DOES KYLO HAVE A COOL VOICE?? It’s not fair. Ugh, I might have to get his action figure after all. Jerk. And POE, NO, WHAT IS THAT MEANIE DOING TO YOU?? NANCI AND BRIAN WILL BE SO SAD. And the music. The music is making me tear up. Excuse me as I sob for a moment or three.
So, it really seems like the Force/Jedi aren’t super well known at this point. I wonder what common knowledge about Luke is? And what the state of the Jedi Order is? And what absolutely everything to do with this movie is? And I just really want to watch this movie now, okay? I love Star Wars SO MUCH.
Matthew: There’s a new Star Wars movie coming out?
Emily: EPIC SQUEALS IN WHICH I TRY DESPERATELY NOT TO WAKE THE BABY. Reactions follow in no particular order: I want all the Rey stuff right now. Who is she? Why is she so important? What is she up to? How did she get BB-8? Does she like blue milk? I want to know EVERYTHING. And Poe, my poor baby, I will beat up Kylo Ren for you, but I think Finn might do it for me. And good God, is Oscar Isaac good looking.
Leia getting the hug – fantastic. Han telling Rey that it’s all real? I’m now running in circles wondering how the Empire spun the destruction of the second Death Star. Kylo Ren looking at Vader’s helmet? Is there a connection? I see R2-D2, where is C-3PO? The scenery looks beautiful, and I’ve loved the cinematography since the first teaser where you follow the Falcon through a loop.
At this very moment, December cannot come soon enough.
If you want more trailer reaction and analysis, check out the Full of Sith Trailer Council, featuring Nanci and a bunch of other Star Wars podcasters/bloggers. Thanks to Bobby Roberts for organizing it!
Hold on to yer butts, we’re getting a trailer.
Yesterday afternoon starwars.com graced us with the official poster for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, along with confirmation that, yes, we’ll be getting a new trailer (the first full-length trailer, and the last one, apparently), tonight during Monday Night Football. The trailer will air during halftime, which should be around 10 pm eastern time.
Around the same time yesterday afternoon, three short teasers started airing on TV and were released on the internet. You can see them combined into one video below.
Tickets will go on sale immediately after the trailer airs. If you’re lucky enough to live near Disney World, there will be a special opening night event at Hollywood Studios. Brian and I will be there with bells on!
Last but not least, after the trailer drops I’ll be taking part in a special “Trailer Council” organized by Bobby Roberts from the Full of Sith podcast, and featuring voices from other Star Wars podcasts. You’ll be able to catch the recording on our feed within the next few days. And of course, we’ll have our own trailer analysis on this week’s episode of Tosche Station Radio and a reaction post tomorrow on the blog.
Star Wars Releases New Footage, Afternoon Productivity Shot
To celebrate Instagram’s new format change, the official Star Wars account released a very short (15 seconds) clip showing old and new footage from The Force Awakens. Among the old footage includes the reverse shot of Starkiller Base, first seen in the Korean TV spot, as well as Kylo Ren igniting his lightsaber from the first teaser. The new footage includes a shot of Rey, looking very distressed, with BB-8 in the background, and FINN IGNITING THE SKYWALKER LIGHTSABER AND PRESUMABLY FACING OFF AGAINST KYLO REN!
Ahem, sorry guys, that just makes me really excited.
Watch the clip on repeat here.
The Force Awakens News from Entertainment Weekly
Sometimes, the best news is the kind that nobody was expecting.
Earlier this week, Anthony Breznican of Entertainment Weekly revealed on Twitter that there’d be no new trailer or footage from The Force Awakens shown at Disney’s upcoming D23 convention. This wasn’t much of a surprise, since director J.J. Abrams revealed prior to San Diego Comic Con that the next trailer wouldn’t be released until the fall.
Today, however, EW released a slew of articles and photos from the upcoming issue, featuring interviews with J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan, information about character names, and a badass cover of Kylo Ren. Club Jade has an excellent roundup on what we’ve learned so far. Here’s some of my highlights:
- Kylo Ren is not the character’s given name. He comes upon it after joining a group known as the Knights of Ren. Also, his broadsaber is a weapon of his own creation. Could he be the Sith fanboy we’ve all been dreaming of?
- Kathleen Kennedy persuaded Abrams to direct the film by asking him a simple question: “Who is Luke Skywalker?” While Abrams and Kasdan don’t reveal any new information about Luke’s role in the film, or even what he’s been doing up until that point in the timeline, it’s clear that he’s still a major influence in the Galaxy Far, Far Away.
- Rey rescues BB-8 from a soccer ball style net, held by an alien named Teedo and his luggabeast. How does Teedo come upon BB-8? And does Rey have a history with the droid before rescuing him? That’s still unclear.
- Yes, there’s a reason the surnames of Finn and Rey are still a mystery.
- There’s a photo of John Boyega in stormtrooper armor next to the crashed TIE fighter, that can be seen in the Behind the Scenes reel from Comic Con. Odds are he’s the one flying that thing, perhaps out of the hangar that we see in the second teaser. “Fly, yes. Land, no!”
As if this isn’t enough new information for us to digest, Breznican teased more news coming tomorrow, featuring everyone’s favorite scoundrel-turned-general, Han Solo. Stay tuned….
The Force Awakens at San Diego Comic Con
The Force Awakens panel happened last night at San Diego Comic Con. Harrison Ford was there, and then they brought everyone to a concert that ended with fireworks.
They also showed a Behind the Scenes video, which you can find on YouTube.
The entire panel is also now on YouTube.
There’s also a ton of galleries, live blogs, and analyses online: Variety, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Tor.com, io9, The Verge, and screenshots from Star Wars New Zealand and Collider.
Edit: Added articles from Vanity Fair and a photo gallery from Entertainment Weekly.
EW: No TFA Trailer or Clips at SDCC
Anthony Breznican over at Entertainment Weekly has the scoop: there will be NO trailer or clips featured at the TFA panel at San Diego Comic Con.
First of all, the presentation this Friday afternoon will not include a trailer or any new clips of the movie. The next trailer will be coming in the fall, according to sources with knowledge of the project.
But don’t go hurling your cup of blue milk at the wall just yet. There will be other surprises.
No clips, bummer. Other surprises, you say? Go on…
Director J.J. Abrams, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan, and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy are already confirmed as part of the panel, which will be moderated by Nerdist impresario and Talking Deadhost Chris Hardwick.
Although EW hasn’t learned just which of the cast members will be joining them, our spies say there will be several actors who haven’t yet spoken publicly about their roles venturing onstage in Hall H.
Fascinating! If I were to wager a guess, this could mean we’ll see some other new cast members on stage to discuss their roles in the film, similar to when Ridley/Boyega/Isaac showed up at Celebration to give a 30,000 foot overview of their characters. If that’s what’s going to happen, well, color me excited.