Via Cnet.com:
There’s probably nothing more magical for a “Star Wars” fan than to sit in the theater and experience a new film in the series, surrounded by those who love everything about a galaxy far, far away and the characters who live there.
We all remember what it was like to see Darth Vader Force-choke a co-worker, or hear Chewbacca roar, or watch an action-packed lightsaber battle — all for the first time. As a hard-core “Star Wars” fan, I wore my hair in Princess Leia buns for endless school photos and can do a perfect R2-D2 scream when I’m ecstatic.
It’s those kinds of memorable moments that Lucasfilm, along with director J. J. Abrams, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan and the talented cast and crew, want to give us with “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens,” which hits theaters December 18. But are we going to get those goosebumps? I’m sensing…yes.
Fans attending San Diego Comic-Con International 2015 knew they would be in for a special treat during the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” panel. In attendance were Abrams, Kasdan and Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, as well as beloved “Star Wars” actors Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford, who of course played the main characters of the first trilogy.
New faces Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma), Daisy Ridley (Rey), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), John Boyega (Finn), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren) and Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux) also rounded out the panel. There was even a visit by a mysterious puppeteered character called Bobbajo.
Here’s my take on some of the highlights from this panel, and the reasons why we should all be waving around our ignited lightsabers in celebration over “The Force Awakens” as fans who have been waiting way too long for a “Star Wars” movie worthy of our childhood memories.
Director J.J. Abrams is a lifelong ‘Star Wars’ fan:
Long before Abrams was asked to helm “The Force Awakens,” I interviewed him multiple times when I worked for Lucasfilm. He always mentioned how much impact “Star Wars” had on him, both in his personal and professional life.
On this year’s Comic-Con panel, Abrams recalled how “Star Wars” was such a pivotal part of his childhood. “I asked my mom to make me a Jawa costume for my 13th Halloween — I did the eyes but she did the costume — and it was great!”
“I’ve been a fan since I was a little kid; there is nothing normal about getting to write a movie with Lawrence Kasdan, or to direct a ‘Star Wars’ movie. I sat down with [composer] John Williams to show him scenes from another ‘Star Wars’ movie he hadn’t seen yet, that I directed. There’s nothing normal about anything that’s been happening.”
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