Drew Struzan: The Force Awakens is Far and Away Probably The Best Star Wars you’ve Ever Seen!

DrewStruzanJust a few hours after the exclusive poster art by Drew Struzan was unveiled at D23, the Australian site Movie Weekly managed to speak with the legendary artist at the Anaheim Convention Center. Read on to find more on Struzan’s work on The Force Awakens and what he thinks about the movie.

 

 

From Movie-Weekly:

 

RICHARD: I could geek out and be a fan boy over you all day but we don’t have time for that and I’d like to talk to you about Star Wars, as it seems it’s pulled you out of retirement once again…

 

DREW: Well, you know, when I had retired – because I was old, tired and cranky – I did say that if any of my supporters over my life and career would want me back, I would have to do anything they wished. So when they said Star Wars again and everybody was involved, I said of course I have to do this. Although a pleasure, I’d do it for George, for the fans and for Star Wars.

 

RICHARD: And that’s the undeniable power of Star Wars isn’t it? It is that. And your contribution being so pivotal to it’s identity and now with the a new slate of films …What was your process with this latest piece for THE FORCE AWAKENS, that was released at D23?

 

DREW: Well, see it started about a year ago or more, a year and a half ago. I got a call from J.J. Abrams who I have never met, and he was in England shooting the film and he goes ‘Hi, I’ve always loved the work’ and Blah, Blah, Blah, sounding like you, you know, like a fanboy (laughs). And we were talking along and he just goes ‘…Well, would you?’ and I said ‘…If I was asked.’ And that was the conversation (laughs). By the end of it, there were no other words.

 

SWTFA Poster

 

So about a year later, we get together and meet and he says we’re using all the original people – John Williams, Kasdan, Harrison Ford’s in it, everybody’s in it and everybody’s writing and making the music and we have to have your art to make it the real thing. So, of course, I’ve got to do it for George and I’ve got to do it for Star Wars. I’ve never worked with J.J before and so we started working on it and he showed me like half the movie and it was just… a wonderful film and I know it’s going to be grand. I got to read the script and subsequently I’ve seen half of it and I can tell you and the fans this, Honest to god, it is far and away probably going to be THE BEST Star Wars you’ve ever seen. It’s beautifully made and it’s a wonderful story.

 

RICHARD: You’ve excited fans once more by showing the character Finn wielding a lightsaber for the very first time. Was there much discussion about this among you, J.J, and the studio?

 

DREW: Ah, none what so ever (laughs). I worked for seven months on all different kinds of concepts with the studio and J.J and if you really want to know the sacred truth, after I got started and I saw the film and read the script, I was going over it in my mind for weeks – How do I feel about it? How can I represent this film really well? And I did this, like many creatives do, I came up with the concept in my sleep. 

 

To me it represents the film. The spirit of the film, the new characters, the battle again to find the truth, to grow up, to find the purpose in life. It’s all those things that Star Wars had to be and is still. And I hope to represent that again to a new generation..

 

Star-Wars-Drew-Struzan-Posters11

RICHARD: Which you’ve done that again by beautifully depicting both the light and dark sides of the force. But what compels you to combine such opposites in the way that you do?

 

DREW: I think you put the good next to the bad and the good looks better and the bad looks worse. (laughs) That is the story of humanity, is it not? That it’s our choice. Which side we’re going to choose to be on and the battle that goes on between the two. I think what’s lovely about literature, art and Star Wars is that the good prevails by being good. Good is always stronger than the bad and that’s what makes it a beautifully universal theme and I’ve got to show that’s still our Star Wars.

 

RICHARD: Finally, with more Star Wars films on the horizon, if asked, would you return to this galaxy once more in the near future?

 

DREW: I have hope and desire if they should ask and want me back, I would consider it. If I’m able and capable… you’ll find me here (laughs).

 

 

For the full fantastic interview make sure to go to Movie-Weekly.

 

 

From what Struzan said, I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Daisy Ridley’s character is siting between the light and the dark side on the D23 poster…

 

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Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.

Born on April 24, 1980.

Val Trichkov (Viral Hide)

Founder of SWNN, MNN and The Cantina forums.Born on April 24, 1980.

187 thoughts on “Drew Struzan: The Force Awakens is Far and Away Probably The Best Star Wars you’ve Ever Seen!

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:01 pm
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    Definatley probably the best Star Wars film, eh?

    • August 19, 2015 at 10:19 pm
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      Definitely probably maybe absolutely without question!…sort of

      • August 19, 2015 at 11:49 pm
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        I feel like he’s forced to say that

        • August 20, 2015 at 2:21 am
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          …forced by the Force.

        • August 20, 2015 at 2:56 am
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          I feel like you never will be happy.

          • August 20, 2015 at 5:18 am
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            If you think Drew would ever say anything he doesn’t truly feel, you don’t know anything about the man. He doesn’t kiss ass. He says it like it is.

          • August 20, 2015 at 1:26 pm
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            Probably, he said probably… For a guy that apparently shoots straight from the hip that is faint praise indeed, bordering on damnation.

          • August 20, 2015 at 7:34 pm
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            if i got a dollar for every person inside lucasfilm who said the latest SW movie was the best i’d be a millionaire by now.

          • August 21, 2015 at 7:11 am
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            Of course he would say “probably.” He didn’t get to see the whole thing.

          • August 22, 2015 at 4:16 pm
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            You love Drew, don’t you?

        • August 20, 2015 at 3:43 am
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          Cynicism is boring.

    • August 20, 2015 at 7:47 pm
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      Star wars #8 came out yesterday wheres the review

    • August 20, 2015 at 7:48 pm
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      star wars #8 is out

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:04 pm
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    I’ll judge that for my self, thanks.

    • August 20, 2015 at 1:05 am
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      …then put it on your shelf.

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:05 pm
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    It will take a lot to dethrone “The Empire Strikes Back” as being the best (to me anyway). All i want is a good story with interesting characters.

    • August 19, 2015 at 11:59 pm
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      What did you think of prometheus? What if it will be like that one? (An awesome and very original and beautiful movie that is.) Guess you wouldn’t like it because people are acting somewhat stupid. But it’s so much mor art than anything else. Just like the PT.

      • August 20, 2015 at 4:34 am
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        Movie was crap… had so many flaws.

      • August 20, 2015 at 5:31 am
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        I liked it the first time in the movies, but upon re-watching it i kind of have to agree its pretty bad. Not as bad as Alien Resurrection but not as good as Alien 3, though i have to be in the mood to watch Alien 3 because that is kinda un-watchable unless its the Assemble cut of the film which kinda works better then the theatrical version.

        As for the PT i have a soft spot for them and kinda like Ep. I, Tolerate II and love Ep. III. They are what they are, but I will always watch them right along side the OT.

    • August 20, 2015 at 12:16 am
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      “It will take a lot to dethrone “The Empire Strikes Back” as being the best (to me anyway). All i want is a good story with interesting characters.”

      It may take far less than you think with the new fans.

      • August 20, 2015 at 6:12 am
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        To quote Mr. Plickett, “If you are under the age of like ten and your least favorite is The Empire Strikes Back because its the most boringest then i suggest that you shut this review off…”

        I am not against the idea of their being another Star Wars film being better then Empire, but knowing the fan base as well as i do i know this generation will have a harder time openly admitting that there could be a better film.

        My fear is that decades from now there will be like four different groups out there. Those who only like the PTs, another that just like the OT, newbies who swear by the ST and those like me in the fourth group that love everything Star Wars. Having a friendly debate is one thing but the different camps have a way of standing their ground in a way that hurts other fans out there. Its cool to have your own opinion just as long as you respect everyone elses.

        Sorry for my ramblings.

        • August 20, 2015 at 1:40 pm
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          The Dark Side clouds everything. Impossible to see the future is.

        • August 20, 2015 at 10:59 pm
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          Mr Redlettermediaguy is a retarded fanboy

        • August 21, 2015 at 8:27 am
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          Return of Jedi is the one, nothing beats Jaba’s sequence and the final lightsaber duel

          • August 21, 2015 at 1:13 pm
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            Empire topped it for me, the lead up to battle, the chase, Luke discovering lost treasures, hero’s defeat, and Luke’s choice of death over darkness… just pips ANH and ROTJ IMHO.

          • August 21, 2015 at 6:17 pm
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            ROTJ just lags a bit in the middle – conveniently rushes through a bit until the Ewoks capture them and Luke leaves the group.

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:06 pm
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    Ahh crud. Anytime someone “in the know” starts making grand pronouncements about a movie being most wonderful, the outcome is suspect. “Alien3”, “Matrix Revolutions”, and “Prometheus” comes to mind…

    JC

    • August 19, 2015 at 9:32 pm
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      Except this time He’s right 🙂

    • August 19, 2015 at 10:27 pm
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      I really liked Alien 3. Rank those

      1- Aliens
      2- Alien
      3- Alien 3
      10- Alien Resurrection

    • August 19, 2015 at 11:55 pm
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      And here we go again

      • August 20, 2015 at 12:53 am
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        I didn’t think Prometheus was good or bad… because it had both.

        The first half hour of the movie was amazing. Then a few scenes later on kind of ruin it. Nothing will beat the first film.

        It’s possible the first half of TFA is amazing & the rest is a stiker. I have faith.

    • August 20, 2015 at 12:56 am
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      Prometheus is a very LONG way off being a wonderful movie, in fact it is deeply flawed, and is almost unwatchable because the characters motivations and actions make no sense. Hopefully The Force Awakens will feature characters that follow a logical progression based on events that are happening.

      • August 20, 2015 at 2:59 am
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        Only inteligent people can enjoy of Prometheus. I am sorry for you.

      • August 20, 2015 at 11:52 am
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        There is a fan made Edit with about 30 mins cut from the film added in..my god it makes it a different film and cannot understand why most of the scenes were cut as they flesh out the characters and their motivations…

      • August 20, 2015 at 11:03 pm
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        Most retarded comment ever. I suppose you are one of those fanboys who hates “Mad Max” and loves Avengers just cuz the latter had a plot and dialogue. What The Avengers to Mad max is what Big Mac is to Roger Federer’s playing style.

        • August 21, 2015 at 1:22 pm
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          Agreed, most retarded comment ever… this world is doomed, DOOMED I’Z TELLZ YA!!!

    • August 20, 2015 at 2:57 am
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      Agree.

    • August 20, 2015 at 9:04 pm
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      Nonsense. It was a stupid movie. Literally. It had wonderful scifi imagery and themes but the writer was in way over his head, (like with lost) the material was smarter than he was. So much in that film made no logical sense. Characters, motivations and plot were weakly rendered and ultimately felt utterly contrived and phoney. Scott is to blame as well. Nothing worse than a movie that is ostensibly “smart” but in fact is actually the exact opposite. Gravity is another example of this. Just awful. Interstellar gets a pass because for all it got wrong it got more right.

      • August 20, 2015 at 10:57 pm
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        You, sir, are a so called fanboy. Everything needs to be logical and explained. Creativity (like the PT, like movies with “no” plot just effects (i.e. “Mad Max” and “Gravity”) and personal stuff (like “Interstellar”) is bad. The Avengers is the only thing you can eat, retard.

        • August 20, 2015 at 11:06 pm
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          Yeah. Thor is without much doubt (even though Ant-Man is a strong case) the best Marvel; the reason: it was a BIG epic with big themes and it felt like the crew (including the producers) put their heart to it. Not at all like its sequel which sucked.

          • August 21, 2015 at 6:32 pm
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            I’m still amazed they made Thor work. If it didn’t, the whole MCU would have been put on skates.

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:07 pm
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    Breaking news: Guy hired to help work on film says film is good.

    • August 19, 2015 at 9:11 pm
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      Don’t be dumb. He worked on all 7 movies.. AND he said this was the best!

      • August 19, 2015 at 9:43 pm
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        Actually, he didn’t work on the OT until later. The original theatrical posters are completely different…and IMO, better. I especially like the original Style A poster. I wish Abrams had gone back to that style but oh well, too late for that. It is exciting to hear that he thinks its going to be the best star wars yet.

      • August 19, 2015 at 9:45 pm
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        Yeah, the latest one he is working on. You, don’t be dumb. Everybody that has worked on this film will say it was good and then as we get closer to release more and more people involved will start talking about how this is the best Star Wars film ever. Happens all the time with sequels.

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:15 pm
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    With names like Supreme leader Snoke, Poe Dameron and Captain Phasma I would be extremely pleasant surprised if it’s on par with OT.

    • August 19, 2015 at 9:19 pm
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      I know, right?! I mean with names like Mon Mothma, Boba Fett, Bib Fortuna, Chewbacca, and Biggs Darklighter the OT has the least ridiculous names for characters in any film series ever created.

      • August 19, 2015 at 11:35 pm
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        @Barry Hear that? That was the sound of a mic drop.

        • August 20, 2015 at 2:00 pm
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          Ahh Haa haha Haa Haaa, rate that as one of the best comebacks this year… sound of a mic drop… Barry is now officially OWNED!

      • August 19, 2015 at 11:57 pm
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        Don’t forget Hammerhead, Snaggletooth, Nien Numb, and Admiral Ackbar!

        • August 20, 2015 at 2:30 am
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          Squid head, yak face, walrus man…

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:19 pm
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    Good to hear that a lot of thought has been put into making this poster. Rey standing front and center, between dark and light is deliberate from Drew’s part.

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:21 pm
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    This guy is Star Wars and knows more than us fans so shut the fu ck up

    • August 21, 2015 at 1:36 pm
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      Blind leading the blind – someone knows so much more about… a make believe fantasy..? And this garners respect??? Sheesh!

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:22 pm
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    probably in a minority here, but i don’t really care for his style. something about it just evokes badly printed fake dvd’s on a market stall.

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:26 pm
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    Yes! I want Drew to work on as MANY of the main episode series as possible. Hope we get art from him for 8 and 9!

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:29 pm
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    And in the months to come, the hype machine will get even stronger; and fanboys will believe “OH MY GOD THE FORCE AWAKENS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST MOVIE EVER!!!”; and then when the movie doesn’t live up to the mega hype (even if it’s a four star classic), they will be disappointed and vent their fury on the message boards.

    • August 19, 2015 at 10:50 pm
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      “…and vent their fury on the message boards.”

      So, in other words, it will be just another day.

    • August 20, 2015 at 2:16 am
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      “And in the months to come, the hype machine will get even stronger; and fanboys will believe “OH MY GOD THE FORCE AWAKENS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST MOVIE EVER!!!”; and then when the movie doesn’t live up to the mega hype (even if it’s a four star classic), they will be disappointed and vent their fury on the message boards.”

      And then they will all whine and profess that JJ raped their future.

      • August 20, 2015 at 7:47 pm
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        but you’re forgetting this film uses PRACTICAL EFFECTS unlike those icky icky digital-y prequel movies. So to OT fans, JJ’s sins are already forgiven.

        • August 21, 2015 at 1:41 pm
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          Practical is what practical does, it was most practical to use CGI for this sequence… oh Sorry, were we talking about stop motion? I thought motion capture was the topic… OH! I AM SO CONFUSED!!!

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:30 pm
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    “I came up with the concept in my sleep.”

    It definitely shows.

    • August 19, 2015 at 10:04 pm
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      That is nicely constructed insult. But this is a rough draft, and I am sure the early concepts of the Mona Lisa were horrible, but the final painting is a masterpiece.

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:37 pm
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    This is one movie that will live up to the hype. I can feel it. 120 days to go

    • August 20, 2015 at 2:06 pm
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      Erections pass in time…

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:37 pm
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    I dearly hope so Drew….I wanna believe….

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:38 pm
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    All the other posters look way better to this. hans hunched over and head looks like it was cut and pasted. they said it was just a teaser poster but it still looks weak. the real one is probably gonna have the whole cast on it.

    • August 19, 2015 at 9:48 pm
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      He did say it was a rough draft first take that they used. I can’t wait to see the whole thing!

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:40 pm
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    Anyone that has a connection to this movie, even if it designing the posters, says something like that I usually tune out. It maybe true, but I just take it as hyperbole.

  • August 19, 2015 at 9:59 pm
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    The best Star Wars film? That’s a bold thing to say. Very exciting.
    This guy laughs a lot.

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:00 pm
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    If it is truely going to be the best star wars movie. Why make such a disappointing poster, I just hope this is not the final poster to go into cinemas

    • August 19, 2015 at 10:09 pm
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      Did you even read the post? He said this is a rough draft.

      • August 20, 2015 at 1:10 am
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        Did you? At no point in the interview does he use the words “rough draft.” All indications are that this is a finished artwork, the first one he completed, the one Lucasfilm and the marketing department loved the most, and, as far as we know, the only one that was chosen (until proven otherwise).

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:25 pm
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    HAHAHA!

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:26 pm
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    1. Don’t love Han in this poster. Looks terrible. Like he just got up from his wheel chair and grabbed his gun.
    2. Imagine a young Han Solo with Force powers. That’s Rey! I think she will reject the lightsaber and flirt with the Dark Side.
    3. Finn was already aligned with The First Order, he won’t go back. He’s light side all the way.

    • August 20, 2015 at 5:30 pm
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      :O

      Rey is She-solo, that never quite connected to me,
      i’m not joking.

      I’m just now realizing how awesome this can be!

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:31 pm
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    Drew’s latest piece does not have the same look and feel as the Original 3. (The PT is such rubbish that I treat them like the rest of the Expanded Universe that Disney thermal detonated into the netherworld of the force.)

    But I will say that its a good thing G.Walton isn’t still at the helm… we’d be getting a film about Leia Solo’s cavalier stance about wiping Threepio’s hard drive with a towel or something.

    • August 19, 2015 at 11:11 pm
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      Sigh, another irrational and delusional PT hater/basher with misguided feelings of nostalgia who is in the vocal and loud minority (which is proven by various statistics out there yet links to think otherwise).

      What else is new?
      Everyone is entitled to their own opinion I suppose….

      P.S. Make sure you read this clearly as its official info from LFL/Disney: http://www.starwars.com/news/the-legendary-star-wars-expanded-universe-turns-a-new-page

      • August 20, 2015 at 12:34 am
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        I hate the prequels, but must say:

        The Phantom Menace poster is the best of the six films.

        Clones and specially Sith got the worst posters.

        • August 20, 2015 at 12:43 pm
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          ROTJ and Clones are the worst posters in my book.

          The worst character portraits are Amidala and Sidious on 3 and Leia on 4. Jabba and Chewie (no offense Chewie) just had too big of a role in the poster 6.

          • August 20, 2015 at 7:53 pm
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            15 years ago, the Star Wars rumors were alll “look at this leaked picture, I wonder what this is? That is new and interesting.”

            Now, the Star Wars rumors are all: “looks like we’re returning to this familiar planet… Looks like this is returning… Looks like that is returning…”

            This is by far the most annoying part of waiting for the ST… and yes, it’s even more annoying than listening to Lucasfilm bombard us with practical effects.

      • August 20, 2015 at 9:07 pm
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        Statistics? Ok how about the statistics that NONE of the prequels are in the imdb top 250 but ALL of the originals are. This is because the prequels are terrible films with no soul and unforgivable shifts in tone whereas the originals have characters to care about and a sense of real fun adventure and heart.

        • August 21, 2015 at 2:21 pm
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          The crude matter speaks

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:31 pm
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    If this truly is the official poster art for TFA, it seems well below the bar-standard

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:32 pm
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    He’s entitled to his opinion.

    • August 19, 2015 at 10:50 pm
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      Yeah just i bet the next one will be even better, he brings a lot of humanity into his work.

      • August 20, 2015 at 7:57 pm
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        personally I’d rather hear more about this guy than McQuarrie.

        McQuarrie is getting as boring a topic as “real sets, practical effects.” Can someone start a hate-babajoe fansite already???

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:35 pm
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    Sorry, I accidentally reported your comment by mistake. I meant to report the racist guy above you.

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:36 pm
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    You’re not a star wars fan pal,.. Else You wouldn’t make comments like that.

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:36 pm
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    it sickens me how many people have been openly racist and act like trolls and assholes on this post it is disgraceful, John boyega is a good actor therefore I think people should stop giving him shit, if you can’t stomach the fact that a black guy is holding a light saber then that is too bad

    • August 19, 2015 at 10:39 pm
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      Mace Windu would kick their asses.

    • August 20, 2015 at 9:28 am
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      Anakin couldn’t stand seeing a black man holding a lightsaber

      …..so he cut of Mace Windus hand

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:36 pm
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    Very likely that I’m reading too far into this, but does anyone find it strange that Han Solo is the only OT character on the poster? Could be a sign of his rumored death in the film

    • August 19, 2015 at 10:45 pm
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      It could be

    • August 20, 2015 at 9:06 am
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      At the very least it points to him being the only OT character with a leading role. This makes me buy into the notion that Luke and leia are both going to have minimal screen time

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:39 pm
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    I believe him when he says it’s probably the best. It’s the first time ever that Star Wars was separated from the creative weaknesses of George Lucas. Not to say he did poorly, but more to say that in the hands of other creatives the franchise won’t be beholden to one man’s vision.

    • August 19, 2015 at 11:57 pm
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      “creative weaknesses” sigh… im so tired of lucas bashing. and lucas was always surrounded by talented peeps. the man changed the face of movies. im an old man now lol, and my lil butt was in the seat in 77, and all the way through the 80’s he was worshipped, and it was wonderful. even as an old time lucas fan, ill attest he seized a bit too much control for the PT – and no i dont bash them, i enjoyed the hell out of them, despite their faults – but now that he’s given away the keys to the kingdom, i wish people would chill with him (not that you even really said anything bad here).

      for a long time, he was a god, him and the berg, and ridley scott and cameron… it just sucks the insane amount of criticism leveled at the man who created my favorite thing ever

      • August 20, 2015 at 1:00 am
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        yeah he is great at storytelling, but after the first movie he had help, an also didn’t direct the best movie out of all of them(I think a new hope is the best personaly) but we saw what happens when one person has total control.

        • August 20, 2015 at 7:11 am
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          Exactly this. When George made the original films, he had the studio execs correcting some things, producers questioning his decisions and he had writers work on his story like Kasdan. Compromises are what made the films better.

          In the PT, he surrounded himself with yes-men including the biggest Yes-man of all, Rick McCallum. They didn’t question any of George’s decisions and treated him like an infallible leader who never made any mistakes because it’s “his universe”. The studio didn’t question him and let him do his own thing, mainly because he self-funded the prequels I believe, so it wasn’t the studio’s money on the line.

          That’s what ultimately let the PT down.

          • August 21, 2015 at 2:44 pm
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            Exactly. Just look at Lucas weight gain after the OT, he hit his peak and then relaxed. Only when he truly felt something was worth fighting for did he slim down again (yes he did it for love). The PT has issues because George took the easy way out and let CGI become the main focus. Back then we couldn’t see the forest for the trees… Oh how Jar Jar Abrams must be sweating in his jocks.

      • August 20, 2015 at 4:58 am
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        Anon @ 23:57 PM

        I will always respect Lucas for all the good he’s done. He didn’t have to sell Star Wars, but he did.

        Nevertheless, many of us conclude that the Prequels suck. It’s no accident that Disney and Lucasfilm are using the OT rather than the OT AND the PT as primary influences. It has nothing to do with TFA being a sequel to ROTJ.

      • August 20, 2015 at 5:15 pm
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        This “lil butt” anon deserves all respect, he was there in 77 and most of us weren’t even born yet.

    • August 20, 2015 at 3:48 am
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      “One man’s vision” = Art. “Other hands” = product. Big difference.

      • August 20, 2015 at 11:37 am
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        Yup.It’s always annoying when someone grabs the tool out of Your hand,saying.”Giz it here,I’ll show thi “

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:47 pm
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    Alien Vs.Predator! Black AND female!!

    • August 19, 2015 at 11:00 pm
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      Yeah that was very unheard of at the time just like with this Plus she was the lead

  • August 19, 2015 at 10:49 pm
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    So one sheet will not be done by Drew ?

    • August 20, 2015 at 7:12 am
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      This was just a draft product made for D23 as an announcement piece. Drew is working on the final one sheet theatrical poster now.

  • August 19, 2015 at 11:04 pm
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    Although, like many of you, I take this praise with a grain of salt- Struzan IS one of the few people on the planet to have actually seen a significant portion of the film AND also have access to the full script- so he’s in a pretty good position to comment on it.

    I’ll take this news as hopeful.

  • August 19, 2015 at 11:07 pm
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    I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the other characters are towering over Harrison Ford–Han has obviously turned into a Hobbit with no neck.

  • August 19, 2015 at 11:08 pm
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    I love these comments! He is close to the production so we shouldn’t take what he is saying too seriously but it is nice. And while I don’t know if it will be the best SW movie, it will by far be the best looking one atleast.

  • August 19, 2015 at 11:12 pm
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    Define “best” in the world we live in today.

    • August 21, 2015 at 2:32 pm
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      Molly Cyrus

  • August 19, 2015 at 11:30 pm
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    anyone who works on sets, acting, artists, etc. always say that same thing.. ” This one is better than the rest “… its the same tune. same sales pitch eveytime. i will decide myself when i see part 7. if its good, i continue to watch more.. if it suks, and too much political correctness and/or agendas, then im done forever with star wars…. we shall see…

  • August 19, 2015 at 11:32 pm
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    TFA won’t become best. The new characteres are weak,
    even compared with PT. I have more hope in Rogue One.

    • August 20, 2015 at 12:07 am
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      Dude. You haven’t even seen the film. Sounds like a hater to me!

    • August 20, 2015 at 5:31 pm
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      So am I. I am more eager to Rogue One than The Force Awakens. Everything on this Ep.7 looks TOO FORCED, as if they are practically rebooting the franchise:

      – Sand planet? Check!
      – Female lead? (cuz we need woman everywhere nowadays) Check!
      – Afro-descendent lead? (cuz we need black people everywhere nowadays) Check!
      – New cute droid? Check!
      – New black villain? Check!
      – New lightsaber model? Check!
      – Get back the big 3? Check!
      – So as far as we got back the big 3 let’s kill all the Expanded Universe histpry and create a whole new one just to fit the old 3 big onscreen cuz they are old now…

      Rogue One does not have this “responsability” so it tends to be a better movie as they should take more risks on it, and exploring an interesting and established SW timeline epoch.

      PS: This old Han Solo looks RIDICULOUS using the young Han clothes. Just like an old woman wearing an 18yo bimbo short dress. Han should wear something more suitable to this age. This also implies he was demoted from general back to a smuggler again. I guess we´ll also get old Leia back to golden bikini.

      • August 20, 2015 at 9:59 pm
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        Putting aside the imbicilic racism and sexism for the moment, what exactly WOULD you like to see here? Of course the “Big 3” are in this movie, it’s a sequel. That’s kinda how these things work. And as a sequel, established characters need to return. Droids have always been an integral part of SW, as have aliens. Is it derivative or “trying too hard” to include them? And while Rogue One sounds interesting, it suffers from the same issues as the PT, namely that we already know the ending (spoiler: they get the death star plans). This is the first SW movie since 1983 that we have NO IDEA of the ending. It could have any number of conclusions. And to me, that alone makes the sequels way more interesting than Rogue One or Young Han Solo could ever be.

        • August 21, 2015 at 4:00 am
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          It really has little to do with the “big three” and more to do with it being compositionally off. The poster simply doesn’t’ work. I don’t have a problem with them putting new blood in or what have you, it just doesn’t feel well executed.

          • August 21, 2015 at 2:31 pm
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            Cool is the new Gay…

  • August 19, 2015 at 11:45 pm
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    Han Solo looks out of place on the poster tho.

  • August 19, 2015 at 11:46 pm
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    Richard Amsel is dead so there not getting his work.

  • August 20, 2015 at 12:02 am
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    Interesting interview and it’s great to see all his Star Wars posters in one place but much like Lucas, Struzan has lost his legendary touch (as evidenced by this poster) and this sounds just like Harrison Ford bragging about the amazing Indy 4 script that we never saw onscreen. I hope Di$ney paid him well as Harrison to say these things.

    • August 20, 2015 at 12:56 am
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      uhm actually the original Indy 4 script by Frank Darabont was really really good, from what I read about other writers and directors have said. Lucas had rejected it and did his thins with some over view from Spielberg.

      • August 20, 2015 at 9:30 pm
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        Urban nerd myth. Have you read the script? It’s awful. The worst excesses of CS, with constant fan-service callbacks to not only the other films in the dialogue, but the friging ad-campaigns for the other films, and at one point Indy gets eaten whole by a giant snake. Go ahead and look it up – it’s an awful, awful script.

  • August 20, 2015 at 12:05 am
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    Not that he has a vested interest..though Ford & Serkis have also said its an amazing story..

    • August 20, 2015 at 9:59 pm
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      But when JJ and KK say it, THEN we’ll KNOW they really mean it. For realsies…honest.

  • August 20, 2015 at 12:07 am
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    I have absolutely no idea, lol, but ill project the sequel trilogy falls right in the middle between the ot and pt for general consensus. and no im not a pt basher. i liked them for what they are. but i also think people are gonna be surprised how different a star wars movie is without lucas involved at all. yeah i know i know, “oh thats a good thing”.

    maybe now, at this stage, itll be refreshing, but i love the ole guy who created all this, and i think peeps are gonna be surprised how “un-starwarsy” the new ones are gonna feel at first, despite all the emphasis on recapturing the old movies. theyre not gonna feel like youre watching empire, or even phantom menace, or any of them. theyre gonna be quite different. is that a good thing? I think so, i think its time. but we’ll see……..

  • August 20, 2015 at 12:10 am
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    Always nice to hear someone else close to it appreciates it.

    I’m still trying to keep myself even keeled. It shouldn’t take much to be a good movie but I’ve seen it go horribly wrong before.

    Almost everything we’ve heard and seen sounds pretty good. *Fingers crossed*

  • August 20, 2015 at 12:21 am
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    Geezz some people are stupid. The guy used the word “probably” as he knows by now theres always a handful of internet nerds that crap on everything good or bad. Plus the fact that so many of us old the OT sacred so he didn’t want to be quoted saying it was better then those movies. He obviously liked what he saw a lot & thats all he’s trying to say.

  • August 20, 2015 at 12:56 am
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    In J.J mesa trust
    mooey mooey, mesa love J.J.

  • August 20, 2015 at 12:57 am
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    Solo looks like some grumpy ol bastard waving his gun at some loutish youths. Worst poster of all the films it looks crap.

    • August 20, 2015 at 1:12 am
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      Good find. Here is his full article:

      http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/Vicar_Montross

      I assume it is a Wiki anyone can edit though, and the Vicar was just meant to be a codename… What do the learned people on here think?

    • August 20, 2015 at 2:59 am
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      It really seems like TFA uses a lot of bits & pieces from the first 3 drafts of SW. Perhaps, as in the PT & TCW, Lucas was pulling those old elements out & dusting them off. Montross is a name from the 1st Draft.

  • August 20, 2015 at 1:28 am
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    i liked the poster, but i still wonder why they left poe dameron out of the poster

  • August 20, 2015 at 1:29 am
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    Wow are people really missing it with this poster. First of all its not the official movie poster so to compare it as such is just unfair. And all the comments on Han – wrong. Yea funny, old, grumpy, etc etc. If you really look at it, he looks SCARED. ike, oh crap, some MAJOR stuff is about to go down, like hes about to face overwhelming odds or may even be facing death.

    Rey looks downright sinister. Interesting. And obviously her being placed right in between the dark and light side is telling.

    Then theres the obvious boyega with a saber.

    Oh. And a whole squadroj of xwings and tie fighters may be alluding to a larger scale space combat than weve yet heard about it.

    This isnt the movie poster, its just a pretty cool image, and judging by struzans remarks, he said a lot in this one piece about the course of the movie.

    Meh, just rambling, but i think Han looks pretty damn intense, as i said, he looks like, oh #$! ….

  • August 20, 2015 at 1:47 am
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    I like Struzan’s new art. Hope the final poster will be as good. Of the existing ones, I actually think The Phantom Menace is best. That’s one handsome poster. Maul is perfect looming over the whole thing – if only Lucas kept that character alive for more than 10 minutes and actually gave him more depth and character development. All the wasted potential… A true monument for the prequels.

    Considering TFA comments… Well. I want you to be right, Mr. Struzan. I want you to be right.

  • August 20, 2015 at 1:50 am
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    Hey Staff,

    Totally off-topic but I just noticed the TFA countdown clocks on the starwarsnewsnet.com front page and the Cantina’s “The Force Awakens” forum are quite out of synch with each other by several hours. 😛 Which is correct?

  • August 20, 2015 at 1:58 am
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    Who gives a s@!t about the poster! That’s the least of my concerns, all I care about is how the film will turn out!

  • August 20, 2015 at 2:01 am
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    Damn, this level of hype is REALLY getting dangerous! I can already see the black and white reviews as soon as the movie comes out.

    On the other hand, I’m really happy to see that legendary artist still blessing us with these wonderful posters :] Keep it up Drew!

  • August 20, 2015 at 2:07 am
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    What did Struzan have to say about the Prequels?

    • August 20, 2015 at 2:42 am
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      Crickets.

  • August 20, 2015 at 2:27 am
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    I’m taking him on his word. I mean if you read the interview he wasn’t really asked, he offered this opinion up freely. It seems like he’s being genuine as well. You can usually tell if people are just casually bigging something up because they have to rather than genuinely feeling that way. There’s been a lot of talk from people involved that it genuinely has heart, that the script is great, the characters interesting and the overall story arc great too. I believe them. People like Struzan, or Anthony Daniels, or especially someone like Andy Serkis, who had some very honest sounding positive comments made in a Collider interview I watched earlier on… Why would they be just as gushing as they have been, and hihglighting things like a great story arc or scrip, or “heart” if they truly knew the film had none of those. They would have gone on about amazing effects or big set pieces. Critically what people are praising more than anything else is that it feels like the film captures the same feeling and soul as the Star Wars we know and love. I have every faith that a highly capable and stylish director as JJ, Lawrence Kasdan who’s written the best Star Wars film there is so far, the original cast, like Ford who also comes across as genuinely proud to have worked on the film , I have faith that they’re not taking part in some almighty bullshitting campaign. The film will be a box office breaker no mater what, unless they’d called it Jar Jar’s Revenge or something, so I don’t think they’d be so heart on their sleeve about this if they knew they were lying.

    I am so excited. everything I’ve seen so far has got me absolutely pumped for this! Waited o long and I remember for so long never thinking for a second that episodes 7, 8 and 9 would ever be a real thing! SO HAPPY!

  • August 20, 2015 at 2:52 am
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    “According to Disney Wiki, Max Von Sydow’s character is “Vicar Montross.””

    Great waste of a legend. But so typical, since only the sorriest actors got the best parts in the The Divershitty Awakens.

    Which is nothing but a gigantic radical leftwing pile of SHIT!

    • August 20, 2015 at 9:10 am
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      You can tell he is wasted just from his characters name? It’s not like he is playing cantina patron #3. Besides I like having big names in smaller roles- it really brings those feelings of sonder to the universe

    • August 20, 2015 at 11:27 pm
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      Because you’ve already seen the movie, right? If a character’s name, gender, or skin color is enough to make you decide on the quality of a film, than you’re not only a fairweather fan, but a genuine idiot. I really wish that you and everyone who thinks like you would go off together to some distant island where you can make your own all-white-male movies and the rest of it and leave the rest of us alone. You know, those of us who are capable of rational, inclusive thought patterns and ways of being.

  • August 20, 2015 at 2:57 am
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    He did it for George <3 Pardon me while I wipe this one tear away . . .

  • August 20, 2015 at 3:58 am
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    I said it. Others have said it. I’ll say it again, Han doesn’t look right. I’m not fond of this poster. It feels more like something you would put on a plastic cup at McDonalds as with the wrap around effect, Han would actually look in place.

    Honestly, if you took Han out, it would be okay. Or, if you switched Han to be in the background and place him with Chewy, it might work better. In any event, I’m not going to worry about a poster, making or breaking a movie and don’t and won’t care what other people say on whether it’s the best one of the bunch. I’ll be the final judge of that (for myself at least).

    • August 20, 2015 at 6:11 pm
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      han looks pretty intense to me, like “oh %$#!”
      he looks like he’s viewing the most frightening thing he’s seen in any of the movies. people are really misreading his expression. we have NO IDEA under what circumstances he is with that image

  • August 20, 2015 at 5:26 am
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    Grand Admiral Thrawn
    Mara Jade
    Kyle Katarn
    Dash Rendar
    Talon Karrde
    Kam Solusar
    Corran Horn
    Jacen & Jaina
    Admiral Daala
    Galen Marek

    VS

    Rey
    Finn
    Poe Dameron
    Kylo Ren
    Supreme Leader Snoke
    General Hux
    BB-8
    Captain Phasma
    Teedo

    This may be the best Star Wars film ever, but will it top the stories of the EU? this is the real question

    • August 20, 2015 at 9:14 am
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      My question exactly! Sure there were some misses in the EU but it had decades of classic characters. Hopefully they will be folded back into canon so we won’t have to choose

      • August 22, 2015 at 4:49 pm
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        Damn Sarlicc again…

  • August 20, 2015 at 6:42 am
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    This dude is really cool, even though I’d only give his style an 8/10, he as a person comes across as cool in this interview,

    except that Revenge of the Jedi poster, that’s just beautiful

    yeah, I think he means what he said about the film’s quality.

  • August 20, 2015 at 8:23 am
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    It’s definitely encouraging that he thinks it’s going to be the best… but who cares if it’s the best! I have an inkling that TFA is going to be up there with ANH and Empire. And that’s the heart of Star Wars right there.

    And as for the Prometheus comparisons… Prometheus was basically Alien with a different ending. And another example, Interstellar is just Space Odyssey with fancier science. I enjoyed both, and i’d rather have them than not have them at all. They were crisp, beautiful and more fleshed out than their predecessors.

    TFA may not supplant Empire, but I think it’s going to be wicked fun regardless.

  • August 20, 2015 at 9:13 am
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    I believe this poster is part of a misinformation campaign.

  • August 20, 2015 at 9:23 am
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    I speculate that this poster is part of a misinformation campaign because I doesn’t make any sense. Luke, Lea, and Poe are supposed to be main characters in the story yet theyre nowhere to be seen on here. on all of his other works, all notable characters are somewhere to be seen on the poster. Boyega acted kinda strange in his body language and overall attitude durning the Disney expo. As if he was gloating over the fact that he was the one wielding the lightsaber. If he was toi be the true upcoming jedi n the movie I would expect that he would carry himself differently. Daisy’s character stands in the middle of two absolutes. which in turn draws attention away from her and leaves more questions about her alignment.

  • August 20, 2015 at 9:34 am
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    another concept to bring up on the misinformation campaign — the star wars story has always rhymed. anikin came from a sandy place with rags for cloths. Luke came from the same roots. it would be odd to see a smuggler/han solo type character take over the role as the main protagonist. daisy’s character on the other hand comes from a sandy place, and wears similar cloths as anikin and luke.

  • August 20, 2015 at 9:57 am
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    Think it will be a very good movie,should be with who is involved.my view on the six movies is this,liked them all,some better but all had somthing i enjoyed,no 1 star wars,empire strikes back,revenge of the sith,return of the jedi,attack of the clones ,phantom menace,first 2 very close and of course most exciting part vader v luke and those famous words,no iam your father.the astroid field part and in the stomach of the beast for me puts empire in 2 place,goes on a little to long.but love all those movies,cant wait force awakens.

  • August 20, 2015 at 12:47 pm
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    Really hope it will be a good, or even the best, Star Wars movie. It could be possible it’s the best one. George has a huge imagination, he created a whole universe with thousands of creatures and planets, but he’s not the best director. Still hoping for a re-cut and re-render of Star Wars ep. 1-3, they’re not bad, they’re just the worst 3.

    (what was he thinking when he let Jar Jar step into a pile of shit or get his tongue numbed. And what must the CGI artist have thought when he actually had to create it)

    • August 20, 2015 at 2:32 pm
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      “(what was he thinking when he let Jar Jar step into a pile of shit or get his tongue numbed.”

      LUCAS: The kids’ll love it.

      “And what must the CGI artist have thought when he actually had to create it)”

      CGI ARTIST: Wow! Something new and challenging! Better give it my A game!

  • August 20, 2015 at 1:36 pm
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    its gonna be great

  • August 20, 2015 at 2:37 pm
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    I was there when the Hobbit happened.
    I haven’t trusted anyone ever since.

  • August 20, 2015 at 3:12 pm
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    Utini!

  • August 20, 2015 at 5:32 pm
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    Hail the Dark Lord Jar Jar!

    • August 20, 2015 at 6:14 pm
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      “Yousa underestimating mesa power, okiday!”
      “Yousa in big doodoo!”

  • August 20, 2015 at 5:44 pm
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    Do we know if tickets will be available for sale at D23 this year?

  • August 20, 2015 at 6:16 pm
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    dudes. this poster isnt supposed to be all encompassing, its just an image, a teaser almost. and geez everyone’s misinterpreting han. we DONT KNOW under what circumstances han is in here

    han looks pretty intense to me, like “oh %$#!”
    he looks like he’s viewing the most frightening thing he’s seen in any of the movies. people are really misreading his expression. we have NO IDEA under what circumstances he is with that image. to me he looks frightened. yeah i know youll all make jokes hes old, get off my lawn etc etc.

    to me he looks like he’s frigging really freaked out. this poster forebodes so many things. finn with the saber, rey looking downright sinister and standing between the dark and the light, han looking freaked out.

    as usual, its the net and everyones gotta tear every single aspect of everything into shreds. geez. its just an image, not the official poster. it doesnt have to have all the characters. i think it rather ingeniously gives a lot of clues…

    ill say again, han looks freaked, hesitant, defensive, he may very well be witnessing horrors right there the likes of which he’s never seen….

    • August 20, 2015 at 7:30 pm
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      To me it looks like Han is about to open a can of whoopass

      • August 20, 2015 at 8:59 pm
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        Looks more like he’s about to open a can of Metamucil.
        .
        .
        (to be clear, I think Harrison looks great, but am not digging Struzan’s work on him here)

    • August 20, 2015 at 9:11 pm
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      Looks like he’s smirking to me.

  • August 20, 2015 at 6:54 pm
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    Technically he’s a paid Lucasfilm employee

  • August 20, 2015 at 7:52 pm
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    Meh. The best SW content to be seen is The Rebels series.

    (Just kidding, that’s the worst SW content ever created).

    • August 21, 2015 at 6:29 pm
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      Holiday Special.

      Ewoks TV Movies.

      “I hate sand……”

  • August 20, 2015 at 8:12 pm
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    Rey & Kylo are siblings!

  • August 20, 2015 at 9:09 pm
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    Love drew. But this looks more softcover novel than new Star Wars film.

  • August 20, 2015 at 11:26 pm
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    Actually dethroning ESB in terms of quality is possible, with an original, thrilling storyline additionally to a awesome visuals, acting and editing. ESB actually had a paperthin plot that’s about the complexity of a children’s book, but the execution side made it look like Lawrence of Arabia or Citizen Kane.

  • August 21, 2015 at 2:56 pm
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    Im sure im gonna enjoy this film, as i have all of the star wars movies, but fans, in general, are unpredictable and also kind silly and annoying, so i would not be surprised if they ended up hating this movie. I remember spielberg saying something along the lines The Phantom Menace being the most amazing Star wars movie before it was released.

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