Star Wars: 10 facts revealed about The Force Awakens, so far
Fans gather on the 1st day of a 4-day fan convention in Anaheim, Calif.
Star Wars fansare devouring the smorgasbord of new details from theThe Force Awakensrevealed Thursdayduring the first day of the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, Calif.
While director J.J. Abrams and friends dropped a number of juicy details, including a jaw-dropping secondtrailer, much of the movie's plot remains cloaked in mystery.
Here are a few tidbits we worked out from Day 1 of the fan celebration:
1. Wookieesdon't age
I'm guessing that Wookies don't age, according to this #StarWars image from #Disney. pic.twitter.com/SdU6nt8auF
—@downtowncbrown
"Chewie, we're home," a grey-haired HansSolo says at the end of the second trailer (prompting screams of approval from the audience). Despite being set 30 years afterEpisode VI: Return of theJedi,Chewbaccalooks pretty much the same. But perhaps Wookiees don't age at the same rate, or maybe wrinkles are hidden by his furry face.
2. More females in the franchise
Daisy Ridley's character Rey is a lone scavenger, who fends for herself. (Lucasfilm/Disney) pic.twitter.com/ElbGBM7nhu
—@downtowncbrown
Producer (and mother of two)Katherine Kennedy said there will be morestrong women cropping up in the franchise from now on.Daisy Ridley'scharacter Rey issaid to be a lonescavenger who fends for herself. Also, in the trailer, it appears to be a woman's hand accepting what looks like Luke's lightsaber.
3. BB8 is a real robot
BB8 meets R2D2 pic.twitter.com/IPcqG3uYzU
—@downtowncbrown
"Better for actors to have a real-life robot to interact with,' saidJ.J. Abrams, introducing the new droid on stage.
4. The Force istweetable
What do you say, Twitter? Are there more to come? #c3p0 #Stormtrooper #BB8 pic.twitter.com/5xXVo1zQfv
—@downtowncbrown
In partnership with Disney and Lucasfilm, Twitter created custom emojis Star Wars fans can use on Twitter. Thecutesy Stormtrooper, C-3P0 and BB8were introduced as"thefirst three#StarWarsEmojis," hinting that there may be more to come.
5. The desert planet is called Jakku
Jakku's not much of a happy place, what with all the crashed imperial relics littering the joint. #TheForceAwakens pic.twitter.com/koIDUMuC3d
—@downtowncbrown
Abramsrevealed that the desert landscape seen in both teasers was the planetJakku, notTatooineas in other episodes.Filmed in Abu Dhabi, Abramswas going for a "John Ford" Western look. And it's not likely a happy place, what with all thecrashed imperial relics buried in the sand, including a downed StarDestroyer.
6. PoeDameronis 'the best freaking pilot'
Can't wait for Oscar Isaac to prove that Poe Dameron 'is the best freaking pilot in the whole galaxy.' pic.twitter.com/AwZdCYToxv
—@downtowncbrown
Oscar Isaac describeshischaracter PoeDameron, an X-Wing pilot, as "the best freaking pilot in the whole galaxy." And hebetter be. Poe's mission in the movie appears to bebringing an exiled Princess Leia home.
7. DarthVader'snot looking so good
Darth Vader's not looking so good. pic.twitter.com/RxsDnHg5in
—@downtowncbrown
It's not clear from the trailerwhyDarth Vader'smask is sitting on a pedestal, but the charred item appears asLuke Skywalker describeshow "his father has" the Force, hinting that Vader/Anakinmay still be alive.
9. New Stormtroopers
What have you to say about the new Stormtrooper army? (Disney/Lucasfilm) pic.twitter.com/3VCOeEOmFE
—@downtowncbrown
At least four new types of Stormtrooperswere revealed at the Star Wars Celebration, including a chrome version(not pictured). Judging by the army on display in The Force Awakens, fans are likely looking at at resurgence of the evil empire.
10. IntroducingKylo Ren
What do you make of the #TheForceAwakens villain Kylo Ren? (Disney/Lucasfilm) pic.twitter.com/GNz1Str3Ey
—@downtowncbrown
Fans got their first glimpse at theStar Wars galaxy's newest villain, Kylo Ren. The baddieis seen wieldinghis red, three-bladedlightsaber, but not much is revealed about what his presence means for the dark side.
Star Wars Celebration continues in Anaheimthrough Sunday.Star Wars: The Force Awakensis due in theatres Dec. 18.
Share the spoilers you've spottedin the comment sectionbelow.
With files from The Associated Press