Even More Rumors on Star Wars: Episode 7 Stormtroopers.
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| Fan art. |
Just a reminder: These are just rumors and their legitimacy is always questionable, no matter what the sources say. We should always doubt the rumors until an official word is released by Disney and/or Lucasfilm. I’ve been assured that at this point practically no one has read the Episode VII script except of course Abrams, Kennedy and few Disney execs.
Let’s start first with some more bits from MakingStarWars about the stormtroopers that they mentioned in their last report on Episode VII. Now we know that most of their previous report is inaccurate but I’m posting the stormtrooper bits because I also heard similar reports from different places. Of course this doesn’t mean that they are all true but still I think they’re worth mentioning. And let’s face it – is there anyone who thinks that stormtroopers won’t appear in Episode 7? I thought so. Surely they will be altered but they will be there.
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| Stormtrooper Evolution |
POTENTIAL SPOILERS!
From MakingStarWars:
I know a lot of people are having a hard time with the concept that the Empire exists during the Star Wars: Episode VII era. Well, it apparently does because Star Destroyers are in the film, Imperial looking sets are everywhere, and with that motif comes Stormtroopers. One source saw at least twenty in a single sequence on the Imperial looking stage involving a lot of pyrotechnics. “Exciting” is hardly the word I’d use. I’d say it was pretty “rad.”
Yep, Stormtroopers are back in Star Wars: Episode VII. These Stormtroopers are not the Stormtroopers you saw in A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. They are slightly altered in their general dimensions. Various sources have described them as more “modern,” while two others called them more “advanced” looking. One source claimed the “IIO” on the back plate is smother and flatter as well.
Initial reports said the new Stormtroopers had capes and or ponchos with them. However, another source laughed at that idea and said the troopers covered with splash guards and tarps to keep them clean in certain sequences. One person we don’t know that well, independently told us they were covering the armor to hide a change in the costume and I figured that possibility was worth noting.
Also here are some more bits about the stormtroopers this time posted by another guy on IMDb:
- They have white helmets which flare out, which is weird but looks good. The eye is just one thin black strip, and it’s creepy.
- I guess this also confirms something about the story, combined with the big Imperial set they’ve built. I’m hoping the empire is rebuilding in secret and not “still there”.
- Sadly I only got a proper look at the helmets. The flare out, okay, I can’t describe it other than they look like Vader’s helmet in that respect, which I love. Obviously made in his image or something like that, which is interesting and a very clever way of keeping his presence in these movies.
- I really am sure it’s rebuilding the not still around, as that would negate Return of the Jedi.
- Well, the helmets I saw were white. Maybe they’ll be painted, though I think they would have been made with black plastic instead if they’re black. The story elements suggested there do chime with the sets I’ve seen; the Imperial installation, Tatooine, Hoth and a tree dwelling (personally hoping that’s Yavin IV).
- It’s funny, because I’ve seen what I’ve seen, we have pieces from various other people and yet we could be piecing it all together completely incorrectly. It’s fun.
These rumors sound really interesting. It’s up to you to decide if to trust them.
Note: My initial idea was to post several other rumors about the sets at Pinewood and Episode 7 sequences here but the article would have become too long. Also the two different topics will make the comments more confusing. So we’ll post the other article tomorrow.
Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.
Born on April 24, 1980.
Glad to hear the empire is still around. I don’t think they went away after Return of the Jedi. Makes sense. The empire was vast with bases and fleets spread out all over the galaxy. The rebels only won three battles against the empire. First victory (acquired death star plans), Battle of Yavin, and Battle of Endor. Empire cleaned the floor with the rebels for the most part. I doubt that is enough to collapse the bureaucracy and the governorships of imperial controlled territories. The rebels had one small rebel fleet and threw everything they had at the empire in Return of the Jedi. As Han Solo said,” Don’t get jittery Luke, there are a lot of Command Ships”.
Skyhunter1172
I believe the empire’s oppression has been significantly watered down (so to speak) since ROTJ with the Executor and Death Star, along with the emperor and Vader both being destroyed. The remaining troops most likely had to stumble around before getting back on their feet with lack of organized leadership and what not. That would give the rebels a chance to sweep the galaxy and destroy most of the remaining troops. Their victory at the battle of Endor probably would’ve encouraged others across the galaxy to join the fight against what was left of the empire.
It’d be cool to see rouge ex-stormtroopers in painted OT armor forming alliances in an attempt to rebild the empire and regain control.
I never understood that, either.
At the end of ROTJ, look at all of those Star Destroyers.
They just …. stopped existing?
OK, so the emperor & Vader are dead.
Does that mean the organization itself is dead, too?
Of course not.
There will be a scramble to fill those empty spaces.
Then a new Emperor/Right Hand man will take over and continue the fight. But if it’s taken 30 years to begin thier counteroffensive, one would think that with all of that time to prepare, they are now SERIOUSLY “loaded for bear”, as they say. Plus, in all of that time, it’s entirely realistic to think that the Republic has grown complacent and maybe not as battle wary (that’s WARY and not WEARY) as they were immediately post-Battle Of Endor.
I always imagined that the emperor was killed so then the empire itself was disbanded rather than have a replacement emperor, and then the senate voted in someone to lead the new republic or something which I always imagined would be Leia.
Actually in the stories the Moffs took control until the emporers clone took control and turned Luke to the dark side. As Disney has stated they were throwing some of the Extended Universe out i wouldn’t look for that to be the case here but as Skyhunter112 said, the remnants of the empire would still be lingering. Not all the systems wanted the Republic gone, many systems had racial issues and as the emperor was a bigot, they gained control. Loss of the empire would have meant bad things for many star systems. They explain in the books that Lukes thoughts on right and wrong and whats the right side were greyed and blurred after the emperor died.
Empire rather ^
AnonymousJune 18, 2014 at 5:40 PM
That’s only one story, and probably the worst of the post-ROTJ EU in my opinion. I wouldn’t expect to see any of that series in the ST.
I’m guessing that the dozens of Star Destroyers chose to retreat after seeing the Death Star destroyed, knowing that two major leaders were easily killed by a smaller force, and that a major flagship of theirs was demolished in the process. That couldn’t have been good for morale. Also, Admiral Ackbar told the Rebels to put all their focus into attacking the remaining Star Destroyers, so several more were probably taken down offscreen.
– Pomojema
Sounds promising! I hope they don’t give the new stormtroopers the same “modern” tone that pretty much every sci-fi/space-based film these days seems to have. I’ve gotten pretty sick of it to be completely honest. Star Wars has to uphold its unique look to set an example for the modern film industry (just as it did in the 70’s) and I feel JJ and the team really know what they’re doing. This movie will be innovative, original, familiar and all around breath-taking; I’m sure of it. There’s not a thing that can prove otherwise.
You make absolutely no sense when you say “innovative, original, familiar…”
That’s like me saying “Star Wars VII is going to be boring, exciting…”
I understand your misinterpretation, but it makes sense in the context of Star Wars. The movie will be innovative because they’re expanding on the technology that’s been set aside (so to speak) for over a decade and doing brand new things with both practical and digital effects, bridging into a new frontier of movie making. It will be original with a brand new conflict between new heroes and a new threat the likes of which we as Star Wars fans have never seen, but at the same time the film will have a familiar and nostalgic feel because they’re bringing back beloved characters, the grittiness of the original trilogy and it’s being co-written by good ol’ Lawrence Kasdan. With that all being said, you can see how my previous comment did in fact make sense in this context. Sorry for the confusion.
^ This. Why Wing? gets it.
I’m just confused as to the politics of it all. There’s no new republic then what is there? The empire is still there? How would that happen if the emperor was killed? But now they are being rebuilt somewhere? Then how can there not be a new republic to replace the empire? Who is in control? asdfghjklkjhgfds
Your brain will melt trying to make sense of all of these rumors. All we can do it wait until December of next year and see for ourselves. I’m sure more leaked info will come around by then, but as far as the overall plot/state the galaxy is in 30 years after ROTJ will all be revelaed to us in the theater.
I actually REALLY hope they’re not just like “Yeah after the Death Star II blew up, we got this New Republic now and everythings been cooool”. They blew up a space station and a few Capital Ships; they didn’t oust every military person and politician who had served for the last 18 years and “start fresh”.
I imagine whatever “new” government was going to be established would probably do a slooow transition from Empire to Republic/Democracy/Whatever… the “new” folks might even welcome in former “enemies” – giving pardons etc because their actions were during a time of war – in order to maintain a sense of stability during what’d have to be a pretty sketchy time. Even whatshisname with the Caesar hairdo during ANH was all “WHOA WHAT HE LIQUIDATED THE SENATE? HOWS THAT GONNA WORK”. So you know other people in the high echelons of govt were at least considering the ramifications of these huge, quick sweeping changes.
PS hi, first time poster, long time reader.
It’s not just because they blew up the death star and a couple of ships. I mean THE EMPEROR was killed.
AND the Executor (a very essential command ship in the imperial fleet), the Death Star (primary threat that the empire held over the rebels), plus the right hand of the emperor (Vader). The imperial forces took a massive hit after the battle of Endor. At that point, what’d stop some troops from revolting against the remaining oppressors? It’s also very plausible that the rebel’s successs at the battle of Endor would have encouraged a lots of other planets to join the rebellion in an effort to whipe out what’s left of the empire. That could easily be what takes place during the 30 years between VI and VII.
Sure, the Emperor, Executor, and Death Star II are gone…. but obsessive fanboys are still alive. And they like the empire and all its “cool” toys and gadgets.
This is the single biggest reason why the Empire is still around.
They’d make more money selling toys that are unique to the ST. The empire is not unique to the ST.
I’m not sure why many of you would think that the empire would just crumble because of the lack of leadership.
The empire was the whole (or most of) the galaxy, the secondary/military leadership would not just give up their power and lay down their arms and give up.
Confusion of course, but the empire would not just fall apart instantly, the scene at the end of ROJ (newly added with rerelease) of people on all the planets celebrating that the emperor was dead is completely unrealistic, it’s not like the entire Imperial military was destroyed or would just give up their power…
A more realistic scenario is it took 30 years to get the empire to its knees and start/form a real government over an ENTIRE galaxy.
AnonymousJune 18, 2014 at 5:23 PM
That’s what I’m saying. The rebels most likely used their victory at Endor to their advantage and while the empire was weak, they encouraged other planets to stand up against the oppression and during the 30 years between VI and VII, the rebel alliance is struggling to whipe out the remaining imperial forces.
It’s also possible that some factions of the imperial military revolted after the distruction of the second death star, executor, Vader and the emperor. That’d certainly aid the rebels in their effort.
Hope they don’t change Stormtroopers to much except I think it more important they should improve their aim as they were all a lousy shot in the original movies, lol
I would think that the Stormtroopers would want an upgrade in their armor. That one shot and you’re dead, I think would keep a lot of them from joining.
Reminds of a (bad) joke I heard – Stormtrooper and a Star Trek Red Jersey get into a fight. The Stormtrooper shoots and misses. The Red Jersey dies anyway.
You mean Red *Shirt*.
I would imagine that the Stormtroopers would have to step up their game if a bunch of Jedi are going to show up in this movie. I’m thinking that they’d be more professional like they were in the years of Clone Army, instead of like a bunch of Battle Droids.
Improving their shooting increases the chances of the main cast being killed by a bunch of extras. Does anyone really want that?
Like most henchmen in movies and TV shows, the goal is to have them be poor shots but still keep the good guys on their toes – exciting.
stormtroopers were actually very accurate, but if that happened in every fighting scene the movies hero’s would be dead within one encounter. do you really think the 501st from the clone wars would just become shit and lose to ewoks? no its just that if they were portrayed as the deadly troopers they are the movie would be over before the falcon could have taken off from tatooine
People seem to forget that the Republic and the Empire were a lot closer than they think.
There is no reason particular reason why Stormtroopers wouldn’t exist. They could be for the good guys or the bad guys or switch from one to another.
In Lucas’ original drafts there only was an Empire and the Jedi served that Empire. It was only later that it became corrupt and the Jedi rebelled.
You could have an Empire held section of the galaxy that is not necessarily “bad” but just self interested. They can be talked with, negotiated with and not simply fought with all the time.
I hate myself for saying this, but I don’t want the story to be about the empire again. I would geek out seeing the bridge of a star destroyer again and see stormtroopers, but without Vader standing on that bridge looking out at the stars and beeing a badass, it just wouldn’t feel right. It would feel like a rehash. Yes I would geek out, but then again I’m already geeking out over the fact we’ll be seeing 3PO, and R2, Han, Luke. Leia, the milenium falcon. Do we really need to keep the same villains too? Plus this is set 35 years later. They have an opportunity to create a much bigger and more complicated story where the empire was defeated and it’s been all fine and wonderful for 35 years, while during that time a threat has been building up and are now about to deploy their shitstorm on the galaxy. Does it really have to be the empire again? As I say, I would geek out seeing star destroyers and hearing the imperial march, but this is a great opportunity to try and create a brand new threat. (but please, no freaking ‘jedi hunters’ because I can’t even begin to start explaining how stupid that is)
I don’t mind seeing the Empire again; I just want it to make sense.
As large and powerful as the Empire was, I can’t see it just going away at the end of VI. The Rebels had scored a major victory in IV, yet V feels like the Empire barely felt the pinch. So why can’t they still be around 30 years later?
Best would be no empire left, no villains either, just 3 nice movies about deep jedi learning, insights about the force bringing the film viewers on a higher consciousness level! So sad that most is about sensational scenes! Remember the amazing speech of obiwan in epi4 with the force theme plying in the background. This is so uplifting!
“no empire left, no villains either, just 3 nice movies about deep jedi learning, insights about the force bringing the film viewers on a higher consciousness level!”
So… no conflict? Doesn’t sound like it’d be very entertaining to the general audience…
Besides the fact that that sounds extremely boring and the title of the movie is Star WARS, you’re forgetting that a lot of times learning from conflict is what allows us to learn in the first place.
ANH and ESB all had “deep Jedi learning that brought us to a higher consciousness” as you say, with Yoda and Obi-Wan. And those films still had villains.
AnonymousJune 18, 2014 at 5:59 PM
Couldn’t agree more!
The Force learning moments were a nice break from the WARS parts. Give us variety, like what we saw in V.
That fan art with the black stormtroopers looks really good. But I’m afraid that they will avoid copying allready existing designs. Or are they smart enough to embrace all the good ideas that exists out there?
From the “Legends” announcement (pay attention to the last two sentences):
“In order to give maximum creative freedom to the filmmakers and also preserve an element of surprise and discovery for the audience, Star Wars Episodes VII-IX will not tell the same story told in the post-Return of the Jedi Expanded Universe. While the universe that readers knew is changing, it is not being discarded. Creators of new Star Wars entertainment have full access to the rich content of the Expanded Universe. For example, elements of the EU are included in Star Wars Rebels. The Inquisitor, the Imperial Security Bureau, and Sienar Fleet Systems are story elements in the new animated series, and all these ideas find their origins in roleplaying game material published in the 1980s.”
Disney is definitely looking through the years of EU material that’s been established to rework it into the new canon – it’d be a waste for them *not* to. Also, I think that picture wasn’t fan art – that might actually be from a previously canon source.
That’s interesting. Thanks Anonymous!
You’re welcome Erik Bohlin. I’m a genius
…The above Anon was another fellow taking credit for my work, but such is the fate of those that operate in anonymity.
But thank you. And yes, fellow Anon, I do consider myself intelligent. (:
Oh. I just thought that Anonymous was a very common name in… well, what country you people may come from. But thanks again. 😉
Okay, what’s happening here is that people are confusing storytelling with real life. Of course it makes sense that the Empire wasn’t completely wiped out at the end of Jedi. It doesn’t follow, however, that it’s a good idea to have it as the opposition in this movie. Why? Because it makes the end of RotJ, well, not much of an ending. Because as a threat the Empire *feel* stale (that’s what a lot of the complaining is about). Because people want something new from this movie. We’ve been there and done that, basically. Time to move on.
That said, vestiges of an Imperial force with an interesting new agenda, such as hunt down and kill Jedi/potential Jedi with an end game of reinstalling the Sith as the power in the galaxy, that could work. That’s why I liked the Jedi Hunters rumour. It combined the old with the new in a satisfying way.
IMHO, a much better idea than to have the Empire still holding together around the edges 30 years later would be for somebody to have made use of the remaining Imperial forces for their own ends, whether it’s a regional warlord, a pirate commodore, a dark-side Force user from out on the galactic fringe, or whatever.
As you say, it would combine the old with the new and not just give us a rehash of what we’ve already seen.
I believe we’ll get old and new with the Empire in VII. It makes sense for them to still be around 30 years later, but I don’t think it’ll feel stale, either.
Why are we still posting scoops from makingstarwars when their scoops have been discounted every single time?
Can we have the good guys win 100% for once? I’m kinda sick of movies being cynical (Man of Steel and the mopey, darker Supes) for the sake of “realism” at the expense of something we can look up and strive towards. Star Wars was refreshing because the Good Guys were just as cool and badass as the Bad Guys and it was uplifting to see them struggle so long but finally win peace and happiness at the end of ROTJ. The effect of seeing the Stormtroopers helmets being played on as musical instruments by the Ewok’s, like they were already becoming a thing of the past, a relic, was touching. I don’t want the impact of ROTJ, the burning of Darth Vader, the Emperor defeated, to be diluted.
I think like others have said, the story of the first ST should close the Empire chapter and focus on the peace and rebuilding of the Republic. Be more light-hearted, more focus on the healing of the Galaxy, and not take itself so seriously. So that once the conflict gets introduced, we feel the threat of losing that fragile peace stronger.
I think “Man Of Steel” went with a more dour take on Superman in order to make his transformation into the iconic hero more convincing – and if it’s of any interest to you, I’ve heard that by “Dawn Of Justice”, the character is more adjusted to being a hero.
@ Anonymous 6:55
Thanks for the reassurance. I liked Man of Steel, I didn’t hate it but I’m glad to hear that he will be more of the familiar superhero. I hope they give enough time to establish that before they throw characters at him (Batman, Wonder Woman, Lex, Aquaman).
Just like in ANH when Tarkin says “The final remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away”, our new heroes could be in the final stages of sweeping away the remnants of the evil Galactic Empire.
Everyone wins in that scenario. Their power took a significant hit in ROTJ and they’ve been diminishing ever since, and at the same time they are fighting for their survival with whatever weak forces they still have. This would still give the end of ROTJ power and explain why they are still around 35 years later.
In this scenario, the question is…are they the main villains and the cause of the main conflict? Just because they’re still around, doesn’t mean they have to be. There could be a rise from an “Ancient Fear” as some rumored titles suggest. I’ll leave you with that.
Antony1Kenobi
Episode VII: The Dark Remnants
This would be unfortunate, and like the previous rumors, stinks of bad fan fic.
It’s highly unlikely that the Empire would still be around 35 years after the Battle of Endor eliminated the Emporer, his right hand muscle Darth Vader, Many top officers, the second Death Star, numerous Star Destroyers and fighters, a Super Star Destroyer, an “entire legion” of the Emporer’s best troops on Endor, not to mention multiple AT-STs and AT-ATs.
I just find it unlikely that without the top ranking officers to manage the infrastructure of the Empire, that troopers and lower officers would stick around without getting paid.
I also find it unlikely that systems would easily join a New Republic given that we know from the Prequel Trilogy that systems wanting out of the Old Republic started a separatist movement. There’s no reason to expect that systems that were working as separatists would happily join a new republic when they weren’t happy with the old.
From my perspective, the most likely scenario would be a galactic civil war, that would perhaps wage for generations. Only after this could I see a New Republic having any chance at being formed, which frankly I think would be more appropriate for Episodes 10-12.
Agreed. The rebels most likely used their victory at Endor to their advantage and while the empire was weak, they encouraged other planets to stand up against the oppression. That way, during the 30 years between VI and VII, the rebel alliance is struggling to whipe out the remaining imperial forces.
It’s also possible that some factions of the imperial military revolted after the distruction of the second death star, executor, Vader and the emperor. That’d certainly aid the rebels in their effort.
I would take these current plot rumors about as seriously as the rumors back in Episode 1 with Charlton Heston voicing Yoda.
Charlton Heston wasn’t the voice of Yoda, the hell you say! Wasn’t one of his famous lines, “I’ll give you my lightsaber when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!”.
No, it was you godamn dirty wookie!
“Give you my lightsaber I will when pry it from my cold, dead hands you do!”
It’s not about “likely scenarios” it’s about storytelling. Stories only have to be realistic enough within the framework of their genre and/or the kind of story they’re telling. In the case of Star Wars – a broad space opera – realism necessarily takes a backseat.
To all intents and purposes, from a storytelling point of view, the Empire were defeated in RotJ. Hardcore fans who care about petty details can rest easy: the EU will ultimately cover the story of the aftermath, the long mopping up of Imperial forces, etc…The core movies? I wouldn’t hold your breath
Storytelling is about likely scenarios in some cases. Otherwise, why not just have a giant Star Wars/Battlestar Galactica/Star Trek/Marvel Universe crossover where Spiderman becomes a Jedi, and finds Earth after a Vulcan mind meld?
I would love that 😀
The imperial governors would still be in direct control of their territories. The imperial senate was dissolved. The empire doesn’t need Vader and the Emperor to continue. The Sith Lords (Palpatine and Vader) only held it all together. It was guys like governor Tarkin that ran the military machine of the empire. Tarkin is long dead, but he wasn’t the only imperial governor.
The separatists desires for independence from the republic was real, Dooku and Palpatine played on it for their purposes. I suspect that many systems wish to be independent and not join a new republic. There is too much bad blood and memories from the last one. The rebel alliance was a small group of freedom fighters and not representative a galactic majority. Most cheered in thunderous applause the formation of new dictatorial imperial government at the end of Revenge of the Sith.
I suspect the rebel alliance is not a republic but a confederation of star systems united only in military force against the empire like the Separatists. Each System practices their own form of government. The rebellion was not a republic styled organization in the original trilogy. Rebel alliance was more like the Greek city states united against the Persian Empire.
The rebel alliance probably has been fighting the empire for 30 years to maintain their independence and attempted to liberate systems that wish to leave the empire. The rebel alliance has limited resources, where the empire has vast. The galaxy is probably very cut up into many imperial territories and a new powerful leader has risen to bring them all back under one banner to fight the Alliance to regain control.
My speculation
Skyhunter1172
“The galaxy is probably very cut up into many imperial territories and a new powerful leader has risen to bring them all back under one banner to fight the Alliance to regain control.”
… But not Thrawn.
Oh, one more thing. If Boba Fett survived the Sarlac Pit. He would be in his 70’s by the time a Episode 7. Unless Mandaloreans live long lifes, he would be retired. Of course Han Solo is easy 60s pushing 70s and he is still in action, so who knows. Harrison Ford is 71.
Skyhunter1171
I think he’s too popular a character for Disney to just “kill off” – in spite of his reputation as a badass in the movies, he didn’t get to do a whole lot before expiring (I would like to stress that his defeat was due to *a blind man accidentally hitting his jetpack*). The EU writers did right by letting him escape the Sarlaac.
Plus, the screentime he got as a kid in Episode II showed that there was more to the character than bounty hunting. He actually kind of seemed like a nice kid – and explaining his transition to the stone-cold warrior would definitely make for a good story.
– Pomojema
Fett didn’t survive the Sarlacc, the movies showed his fate and a burp at that to sealing it into movie canon. However, the stand alone film will shed light on him before his death. This is Disneys way of throwing a bone to Fett fans while keeping the characters arc where it should be, ending in ROTJ.
The Star Wars political set up is taken in part from Roman history. The Roman Republic is beset by civil wars that culminate in the rise of Augustus and transition to an Empire.
JJ Abrams and team may be taking the same leads from actual history for the post Death Star 2 timeframe. With the Emperor killed along with his heir apparent (Vader) – you have a number of second tier Moffs and other senior Imperials who will either band together, try to take top seat, or take their own regions and quietly set themselves up as local kings/queens/dictators/whatever.
There might be a core “Empire” along with several autonomous areas and perhaps a fledgling Republic made up of the former Separatist states that supported the Rebellion. I suspect that large chunks of the galaxy – like in Old Republic times – will be pretty ungoverned.
My thoughts as well Anonymous June 18, 2014 at 8:17 PM
Skyhunter1172
That’s a very thoughtful post.
Thanks!
I have to admit I skipped most of the post-Return of the Jedi novels and comics, etc. I read a couple and none of them really “felt” like Star Wars to me (which probably puts me in the OT camp I’ve been reading about here)
I’m incredibly excited for this sequel trilogy – and have been waiting for it since 1983! I love the idea that the universe is going to look a lot like IV-VI did with maybe some nods to I-III and the Clone Wars stuff (which I watched with my 9 year old son and enjoyed).
The Empire Strikes Back remains once of my favorite movies of all time. And I’m pretty sure JJ Abrams and gang are in that camp as well. Here’s holding out hope!
As much as I am a fan of some of the remnant of the Empire based post RotJ stories within the EU/Legends galaxy, that “Jedi Hunters” (ex-Inquisitors and yes I know a certain popular SW site has said its not true but based on what I ask? what source? I am not selling this rumor just yet) villain rumor is looking better and better, especially with some of the Stormtrooper, slit visor, creepy, Vader-like, etc rumors we are now seeing. Multiple items to consider re: the birth of a NEW SITH EMPIRE and its dreaded Sith Stormtroopers, if you will.
(1) Stormtroopers do not necessarily mean Imperial Stormtroopers (as we know them from the OT). Sith Stormtroopers anyone? Sith Armor, better weapons, and more menacing? Could this be another EU/Legends creation from KOTOR/TOR era that becomes canon? I would totally buy that the remnants of the empire (after the death of the Emperor) would be rallied and refitted to serve THE NEW SITH EMPIRE! An Ancient Fear anyone?
(2) The thin slit visor helmets that are “creepy” and are “Vader-like” and are “silver and black” (from last rumor) just scream out Sith! Sith! Sith! And many Sith helms from KOTOR, TOR, Force Unleashed, etc have had that thin visor creepy look. You know it be true. 🙂
(3) The remnants of the Empire will not rally, be as dangerous, and be as effective against the NEW REPUBLIC (or whatever it is now) unless they are led (or secretly being organized over the last 30 years) by a Powerful Force user or group of Force Users. These Jedi Hunters who are Ex-Inquisitors would fit this bill nicely. And oh yeah we are being introduced to Inquisitors in Rebels (canonically speaking) and of course if Mara Jade is in Ep 7 we all know what she used to be (if her EU story makes it into canon of course).
(4) The trooper helmets give a nod to Vader, the last great Sith Lord to instill fear throughout the known galaxy. Of course if I was a Sith Lord, and if I wanted to put the Fear of the NEW SITH into the hearts of billions across that galaxy, we just might go with the Vader Trooper Helmet Concept II. 😉
Just trying to give an alternative to the “Stormtrooper” rumor, and piece together other rumors that we have heard recently (regardless of other sites debunking those rumors unofficially).
Just my 2 credits.
I really like your points and I thought the same thing about the “Sith” stormtroopers. It’s probably a false rumor but the chrome and black stormtroopers instantly made me think of sith troopers in KOTOR. Which probably means someone made it up based on that lol. But whatever stormtroopers look like in the new movies, I think its a great idea to have them be inspired by Vader.
Thanks Anon @1:12 AM, I as well am looking forward to the Vader inspired, slit visor, silver & black Sith Stormtroopers!
All hail THE NEW SITH EMPIRE!!! >:)
It appears that this “Ep 7 Villains are Jedi Hunters” (aka Inquisitors) rumor (the unofficially debunked rumor mentioned above) is getting a lot of publicity in some major media outlets. IGN, Huffington Post, and multiple others have bought into this rumor enough to post!
Going to be a fun ride!
Pizza Trooper, CamaroTrooper, SubmarineSandwich Trooper. Some of the newer action figure variants.
Eh. I’d like to see the film start off with them already being in the midst of a war. Jedi/Republic Military vs The New Empire. No bullshit “the death toll is catastrophic” build up like in TPM. Thank you.
– G
From the same IMDB thread comes additional information about another character:
“Could be incorrect but this sounds like it backs up something I was told by someone working on the film. They said Stormtroopers play a major role, the empire still very much exists and that Gwendoline Christie plays a rogue stormtrooper who wears silver armour.”
This doesn’t sound too far removed from Gwendoline Christie’s role on “Game Of Thrones”, so it could be within the realm of possibility. I feel like a similar concept was originally meant to be used for Boba Fett back when Ralph McQuarrie was designing him.
– Pomojema
Stupid to assume the Empire crumbles after the Battle of Endor. In A New Hope we see not only a Military Garrison in Mos Eisley, Tatooine but Star Destroyers patrolling it’s atmosphere when the Millennium Falcon blasts it’s way out. There were scout teams sent to find the droids but in the movie Storm Troopers are policing the City. Take into account that Tatooine was supposedly a far out-post with little Imperial presence which made it a haven for the Galaxy’s scum and you get the impression control in the systems of financial importance must have seen serious Imperial Military presence.
Making me believe that each individual system was run by a Governor with a General and troops at his disposal who probably wielded with a tight fist or face the Emporer’s wrath! Thinking the Roman Empire on a greater scale where Caeser put Territories in the hands of Military Commanders turned Politicians. I doubt this crumbles after the Emperor and Vader die, if anything it would have set up a power vacuum were maybe some of these factions had there own disputes.
The Rebels after all were also left weakend after the Battle of Endor losing the majority of there X-Wing crafts and pilots. My point is that the same disarray that saw the rise of the Empire with a split Galaxy would be the obvious situation that would befall them once the Emporer’s strangle hold and Vader’s grip were gone. I imagine this is were Episode-7 finds us with Planets loyal to the Old Empire and those loyal to the Old Republic it over-threw making for one last massive showdown!
Star Wars: Episode VII – Dark Remnants
I just left some dark remnants in my commode.
If the Empire is still around 30 years later, could Max von Sydow be its new emperor?
It screams SHADOWTROOPER!!!!!!
Lucas had a concept of light saber wielding stormtroopers for episode 4.
The Empire still controls a good amount of the galaxy. With no Deathstar or Palpy, they still have Stardestroyers. So who is commanding these? Some Grand Moff, so who is this person? I believe its a form of Thrawn, makes sense..
ShadowTroopers, wear black and chrome type armor a concept made for episode 4 from Lucas. These are the stormtroopers that are the Jedi hunters, who perhaps commanded by Asajj Ventress whom is a Jedi hunter/Nightsister.
This makes sense to me…or something along the same lines!
P.S they also use Lightsabers..
What if a civil war took place after the Empire was defeated at Endor for control, and the NightSisters took over. In which they use Jedi hunters and Shadowtroopers to keep the fear in place.
Ha ha ha, no.
I prefer the idea of a resurgence of imperial fascism rather than imperial remnants that have never left. That would ring more true. People tend to fall into thinking that society naturally evolves toward being more free and progressive but in reality there’s often enough ignorance and repressed hate just under the surface to lend adequate popular support to the abridgement of liberties and the rampant persicution of societal scapegoats.
…scapegoats like the jedi in this case.
COMMANDER: Did you hear? The Emperor has been killed.
TROOPER: Great. Does that mean we get paid now?
What do Luke and Han know about their galactic history?
http://observationdeck.io9.com/what-do-luke-and-han-know-about-their-galactic-history-1592771957/+Ghost_in_the_Machine