The Star Wars VII trailer hit the web on Friday, effectively breaking the internet for a few hours. Now that we’ve all had a chance to check it out and calm down a bit though, let’s take a look at a few of the confirmed facts about we just saw, and what is still being speculated on.
Who are all the new characters?
In order of appearance:
John Boyega
We don’t know what kind of character Boyega is playing yet, but considering the trailer opens with the Attack the Block star’s face, it’s probably pretty major. It’s definitely worth noting that he appears in Stormtrooper gear. Is the Empire still a big power in the galaxy (the tie fighters later in the trailer seem to support that)? Or maybe it’s a disguise (a little callback to Episode IV)?
Daisy Ridley
Ridley is the one on the speeder on what looks to be Tatooine. There’s some speculation going on that she’s the daughter of Han Solo and Princess Leia, but that’s unconfirmed.
Oscar Isaac
Isaac briefly appears as the pilot of one of the X-Wing fighters. It’s a quick shot and he’s wearing a helmet, but that’s him.
Who is doing the voiceover?
It’s been officially confirmed that it’s Andy Serkis. We still don’t know what sort of character he’ll be playing (or if it’ll be a CGI character or not), but it sounds like he’s connected to the Force in a big way.
What is going on with that lightsaber?
It looks like they finally figured out that sword hilts are pretty important. If you have no idea how swordfighting works, hilts are these things:
Their job is to protect your hand in a fight. Since your hand is holding your sword, that’s generally something you want. While it looks a little silly, it does make some sense when you think about it.
It’s not the only “improvement” in technology either. The X-Wing engines have gotten a makeover, as have the Stormtrooper helmets. Even the Millennium Falcon has a new radar dish.
Who is the dark Jedi?
Now that’s the big question. My money is on Gwendoline Christie, who has been cast in an unknown role. She’s best known for playing Brienne of Tarth on Game of Thrones, a very tall character, so she matches the hooded figure physically.
It’s also possible that this is Andy Serkis’s character, based only on the fact that we have no idea who he’s playing, and his voiceover is talking a lot about the Force.
The next two possibilities get into previously circulated Episode VII rumors, and I know some of you have been avoiding those like the plague, so here’s your spoiler warning.
Some fans believe the hooded figure is Adam Driver’s character. According to earlier rumors (and again, totally unconfirmed), Driver plays the son of Han Solo and Princess Leia, and is tempted to the dark side, becoming a new Sith Lord.
Another possibility (and even more potential spoilers) is Luke Skywalker himself. A big, big rumor that’s been passed around multiple times is that Luke has become possessed by the dark side, and has subsequently forced himself into exile.
I think this option is a lot less likely (even if the rumor is true), just because it doesn’t make sense to me that Luke would need a new lightsaber. Even if he becomes corrupted by the dark side, it makes way more thematic sense to me for him to use his old weapon, or his father’s.
Any other little factoids I should be aware of?
Sure.
At around 23 seconds, when John Boyega’s character is on screen, it sounds a lot like there’s an Imperial probe droid in the area. Listen to that and compare it to the one in the original trilogy. That would explain why he looks so scared.
During the quick shot of the stormtroopers, one of them looks a lot shorter than the others (aren’t you a little short for a Stormtrooper?). Could that be Boyega?
This is probably just trivia at best, but Oscar Isaac’s vest says “Pull to inflate” in upside down Aurebesh (that made up Star Wars alphabet). That makes sense considering they’re flying over water.
The music in the trailer is new John Williams, which is really cool.
Can I get a GIF of that rolling droid?
Yes, yes you can.
