Now we've dissected every single frame of the amazing Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer that hit the web a couple of weeks back (see below), Lucasfilm has told us what the new characters are called – using the very cool medium of Topps bubblegum trading cards, a beautiful nod to the original movies.
Entertainment Weekly has posted the images, with director JJ Abrams saying: "I'm only sorry we couldn't give everybody a stick of gum."
Here's the cards... (When asked if there's a significance to the numbering, JJ said: "YES" – which is quite intriguing, seeing as they don't appear in the same order they do in the teaser. Could the scenes be in the order they appear in the film?)
"#11 – BB-8 on the move"
"#53 – Poe Dameron in his X-Wing"
"#67 – Kylo Ren ignites his Lightsaber" (that suggests it's not Gwendoline Christie brandishing the lightsaber)
"#74 – Rey on her Speeder"
"#76 – Finn on the run"
"#81 – Stormtroopers prepare for battle"
"#88 – X-Wings in formation"
"#96 – The Millennium Falcon" (but we knew that)
Directed by JJ Abrams and co-starring John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Daisy Ridley and many more, Star Wars: Episode VII will open in the UK and the US on 18 December 2015, with the title The Force Awakens.
Here's that trailer again:
And check out some of our highlights of the teaser below in this mini breakdown...
The Millennium Falcon appears to have a new rectangular radar dish on the left there (the original round one was lost in Return Of The Jedi), and red flashes reminiscent of an X-Wing. And look: original-style TIE Fighters! (According to the official @StarWars Twitter feed, we're hearing new John Williams music in this teaser. These are the thrills you're looking for...)
Internet chatter has dubbed this spluttering red saber a "broadsaber" – what do you think?
A ball droid! There's evidence that it's based on Ralph McQuarrie's original designs for R2-D2 from back in the day – certainly the new X-Wings, seen 45 seconds in, look like they have the wing designs from Ralph McQuarrie sketches.
Star John Boyega has responded to those questioning the existence of a black Stormtrooper on Instagram, posting a picture of text that reads: “To whom it may concern… Get used to it,” with a smiley emoticon.
For a blast from the past, check out all the previous Star Wars teaser trailers through the years with our complete guide! And if you think of yourself as a Star Wars fan, you might like to test yourself with our Star Wars quiz...
