Everything You Need to know for Star Wars the Force Awakens

Robi Stuart ’16

Staff Writer

Coming out in theaters December 18 is the continuation of the iconic Star Wars saga, Star Wars the Force Awakens. Originally the saga began with Star Wars IV A New Hope in 1977 followed by the next two movies, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. In 1999, the saga continued with The Phantom Menace, the beginning of three prequels to the original Star Wars. The Force Awakens will be known as the VII movie in the saga, coming 30 years after the original movies starting in 1977.

Controversially George Lucas, the writer and director of the first six movie, will have nothing to do with the new addition to the saga. In response to the situation Lucas says he didn’t work on the new movie because he would “Probably ruin” J.J. Abrams’, the new directer, vision. After seeing the movie early he never said whether he personal actually enjoyed it. Instead he said, “I think the fans are going to love it, it’s very much the kind of movie they’ve been looking for.” There are many familiar faces returning to the saga although they may be a little different looking. Returning from the previous movies is Harrison Ford playing the legendary Han Solo, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, but is referred to as General Organa in the movie, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Anthony Davis as C-3PO, and last but not least the 7 foot 3 inch Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca. Fun Fact, the original Chewbacca costume was made out of real yak and rabbit hair.

Some new faces staring in the addition to the saga are Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, a follower of the dark side, originally a member of the knights of Ren, is aligned with the remnants of the first order of storm troopers . Daisy Ridley stars as Rey, a human desert scavenger on the planet of Jakku. The biggest new star of the movie is thought to be is John Boyega who plays Finn, a first order storm trooper who is in the possession of the lightsaber  both Anakin and Luke Skywalker once wielded. Overall, the movie follows Han Solo and his allies facing the new threat of Kylo Ren and his army of storm troopers.

Showings begin Thursday at both Fashion Square Cinema and the GDX Quality 10 in Saginaw.