Star Wars The Force Awakens trailer: What we know about JJ Abrams' film
The first trailer for JJ Abrams' movie is expected to drop online later on today
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Your support makes all the difference.As Star Wars fans worldwide eagerly await the first glimpse of upcoming saga The Force Awakens in a promised trailer later on today, we take a look at what we know about JJ Abrams' new film so far.
When will the new film be set?
Star Wars: The Force Awakens will pick off thirty years after the events of George Lucas’ Return of the Jedi in 1983. That movie ended with Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker)’s death, Leia being revealed as Luke’s sister and Han Solo finally making it happen with Princess Leia.
Which of the original Star Wars cast members are returning?
Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels, Mark Hamill and Peter Mayhew are all returning for the new movie to reprise their presumably older original characters.
That means we’ll be saying hello again to Han Solo, Princess Leia, R2-D2, C-3PO, Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca.
What about the newbies?
Disney and Lucasfilm have confirmed that The Force Awakens will feature a “trio of new young leads”. Few details have been shared about the new cast members’ roles but open auditions advertised for a “smart capable” man in his late teens or early twenties and a “street smart and strong” orphaned girl.
Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Lupita Nyong’o, Daisy Ridley, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson and Gwendoline Christie are all joining the Star Wars team and presumably two of them have filled these parts.
Girls star Adam Driver is rumoured to be playing the main baddie in Star Wars 7 but few details are known about his upcoming role so the speculation could well be false.
Driver will definitely be starring in some way though, as Lena Dunham tweeted her congratulations and told him to “rip a hole in da force” back in February before the news was officially confirmed.
Is Harrison Ford alright after his injury?
The 71-year-old actor broke his ankle and had to be airlifted to hospital from Buckinghamshire’s Pinewood Studios after an incident with a hydraulic door while shooting a Star Wars stunt. He recovered not long afterwards and resumed filming so don’t panic, Han Solo will be in the movie.
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Who is directing?
JJ Abrams is at the helm of the seventh Star Wars saga, having directed Star Trek and Star Trek Into Darkness in 2009 and 2013 respectively. Abrams comes from New York and is also for executive producing hit TV series Lost.
Where has the movie been shot?
Abrams tweeted that he was “on the set of the Star Wars Episode VII in Abu Dhabi” back in May, causing the internet to go into meltdown. He confirmed that some leaked pictures were of the Star Wars set after reports that a “whole world” was being built on a salt lake.
Is it going to be any good?
If Abrams' cast has paid heed to this motivational message he sent them earlier this year than yes - it's going to be awesome.
When can I go and see it?
Star Wars: The Force Awakens will released in the UK on 18 December 2015, just in time for Christmas and the same date as movie-goers get to see it state-side. That’s just over a year to wait.
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