'Star Wars: The Force Awakens': The Trailer Has Landed!
The Force has finally awoken.
The first trailer for the new, J.J. Abrams-directed Star Wars: The Force Awakens debuted in theaters and online this morning, giving fans a brief first look at the new chapter of the legendary franchise (you can watch the teaser above or go here).
Despite its brief, 88-second run time, the trailer reveals nary a glimpse of returning characters Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, or Princess Leia. But it does include a crowd-pleasing shot of the Millennium Falcon roaring over what appears to be the desert planet of Tantooine while battling TIE Fighters. It also includes shots of new cast members John Boyega, Oscar Issac, and Daisy Ridley; a new, three-piece lightsaber; and an ominous voiceover: “There’s been an awakening. Have you felt it?”
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The Force Awakens, which is set approximately 30 years after 1983’s Return of the Jedi, returns the original trilogy’s big trio of Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford. It also introduces new stars to the series, such as Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, and Andy Serkis.
The Force Awakens began production under top-secret conditions in April. Filmed in the UK’s Pinewood Studios — as well as on location in Abu Dhabi and Iceland — the shoot was plagued by photo and plot leaks, leading the secretive Abrams to tease fans with his own little reveals.
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The Force Awakens is the first Star Wars film to be produced by Disney, which bought Lucasfilm in late 2012. Producer Kathleen Kennedy took over as the head of the company, and has since announced an aggressive slate of Star Wars sequels and spinoffs to be released over the next decade.
Looper director Rian Johnson will write and direct Episode VIII, while Godzilla director Gareth Edwards and The Fantastic Four director Josh Trank will helm separate spinoff movies.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is due out on December 18, 2015.
