Home Entertainment Analysing every secret and Easter egg in the Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer

Analysing every secret and Easter egg in the Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer

10 min read
95

Star Wars

A good trailer needs to set a mood. To get your heart beating, and your fandom swelling. But it also needs to not give away any key plot points, and save a few surprises for the actual film. I’m looking at you, Terminator: Genisys.

This morning, Star Wars delivered on that idea. The final trailer for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens hit harder than a Rancor in heat, and I did a Kessell Run in my pants after watching it several dozen times.

Many Bothans died in order to give me enough access to the site to make a trailer analysis post. Let’s make the most of their very easily expendable deaths, and start combing the desert of Jakku for secrets and Easter eggs in the final Star Wars trailer.

Force Awakens (2)

There’s going to be a lot of nostalgia going into the Force Awakens. And judging by the desert gear that one of our newest heroes, Rey, is wearing, I’m already feeling a shout-out here to Princess Leia’s Boush disguise from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.

Force Awakens (3)

Looking even further at her clothing, Rey certainly isn’t one of the wealthiest characters around. In fact, I’d bet easy money that she’s a scavenger on her homeworld, eking out a living in a universe ravaged by the war between the First Order and the Resistance.

Force Awakens (4)

Looks like Rey is busy fishing out tech from an abandoned Star Destroyer that fell on her planet, judging by the hangar markings and the broken shuttle in the corner.

Force Awakens (5)

“Who are you,” Rey is asked. “I’m no one,” she says. It’s not Tattooine, but it is Jakku that she happens to be trudging through, evoking more nostalgia with another call-back to one of the classic films.

Force Awakens (6)

All that scavenging has clearly made Rey useful with any hardware that she comes across. A character trait that’ll probably manifest itself several times in the new trilogy.

Force Awakens (7)

The First Order! What, you thought the death of the Emperor and the second Death Star would result in the Empire surrendering to the Rebel Alliance? Please, not even close. It appears that the First Order is made up of the mightiest remnants of the splintered Empire faction, united under the leadership of Domhnall Gleeson’s General Hux character.

The Stormtroopers present appear to be from various platoons when you look at their armour, which has had a great redesign in the decades since the original trilogy wrapped up.

Force Awakens (8)

And here’s John Boyega as Finn! Commenting that he was born to do one thing in his life, Finn sounds like he was adopted by the First Order and raised as a soldier. That’s a bit more fanatical than the Empire of old, which recruited soldiers based on whoever was left from the killing fields at the boot camps.

Force Awakens (9)

It may be old military tech, but they’ve got a spiffy new paint job. Same rubbish durability as ever, by the look of things.

Force Awakens (10)

And that’s probably Finn’s TIE Fighter as well, about to crash-land on Jakku. Here’s the odd thing: There are no other ships present in this shot. Could his TIE have been sabotaged? Clearly, a lack of faith in the First Order is found to be most…disturbing by superior officers.

Force Awakens (11)

Well, at least he’s in walking distance of the nearest settlement, wich is probably an even bigger hive of scum and villainy than Mos Espa. Finn is probably also regretting wearing his black winter clothes at this point.

Force Awakens (12)

And here’s our first look at Kylo Ren in the trailer, who is oozing pure villain vibes right now. If the First Order is indeed maintaining the strength of its army through a radical dogma which ensures loyal troops, then Ren most likely wields considerable might with his position as a dark side knight.

A symbol if you will, for the troops tor ally around like.

Force Awakens (13)

And remember, Kylo Ren is a title. Much like the Darths of the Sith culture of centuries prior, Kylo has had to earn the title, within his order of the Knights of Ren. And with a mask that spooky, you know he’s not fighting on the side of angels.

Force Awakens (14)

Meth, not even once. It has been reported that Kylo Ren is also a fanatical worshipper of Darth Vader and his legacy, collecting artifacts wherever he can. Judging by the not so near-mint condition of this helmet, it looks like Ren visited the planet moon of Endor to swipe it from Vader’s funeral pyre at the end of Return of the Jedi.

Force Awakens (15)

Especially when he appears to be torturing Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron character. Talk to the hand…or else.

Force Awakens (16)

Look, if seeing the Millennium Falcon outrun TIE fighters in a canyon populated with rusting Star Destroyers doesn’t put a grin on your face, you’re either dead inside or Geoff. And it looks like Lando Calrissian never did replace the sensor dish that he knocked off during the destruction of the second Death star.

The biggest question of course is: What’s the Millennium Falcon doing on Jakku?

Force Awakens (17)

Here’s a  good point: During the peak of the Jedi Order, thousands of knights were present. Thousands, in a galaxy of trillions. Naturally, the idea of warrior monks who could lop your limbs off with a laser-sword, were thought of as an effective myth at best. And let’s not forget how the Empire did its very best to kill the legend of Jedi, while maintaining an air of secrecy around the Sith.

But you can’t kill a good myth, and with the Force clearly still alive and kicking, it looks the universe is seeing a resurgence in Force-sensitive individuals.

Force Awakens (18)

And it’s true. It’s all damn true, as Han Solo lays down a few legends of his own. Rey has most likely never been beyond her planet borders, while Finn has been groomed his entire life to be a Stormtrooper. Now, being confronted with the truth of the universe, they’re both finding themselves entering a new age.

Force Awakens (19)

Hyperspace! We’ve never really seen much of the faster-than-light travel system beyond a cockpit view in the Star Wars films. Now let’s see if these tunnels can do a Kessel Run in as few parsecs as possible. And yes, shut up nerds: I know that parsecs aren’t how you measure speed.

Force Awakens (20)

Looks like Kylo Ren has assembled his own gang. He’s the only one rocking a lightsaber however, although the rest of his posse are sporting familiar armour and masks. Knights of Ren disciples perhaps?

Force Awakens (21)

I’ve got a soft spot for X-Wings, and the upgraded ships appearing in Episode VII. Because they’re still the coolest fighter-ships ever made. Foils to attack-position, over.

Force Awakens (22)

As cool as the Empire was, we never really saw them as a credible threat in Star Wars. Sure, they had numbers on their side, but I could win any fight by drowning an enemy with wave after wave of expendable soldier while I waited for my opposition to run out of ammo.

I’m hoping that the First Order will be more competent than the Stormtroopers of the older films, with a skill-level that would make Clonetroopers proud.

Force Awakens (23)

Wherever the First Order and the Resistance are battling, it looks like another new planet. Probably not Kashykk either. Those trees are too low, and nobody lives on the ground anyway.

Force Awakens (24)

Looks like Poe and Finn are bestest of buds though, with Finn joining the Resistance. I’ve got a feeling that Poe is going to steal the show, as the Han Solo replacement: A cocky pilot with a heart of gold and skills to pay the bills when taking down TIE fighters.

Force Awakens (26)

Oh, looks like Michael Bay directed a scene in Episode VII.

Force Awakens (27)

Where’s Han leading Finn and Rey? No idea, but that lumbering automaton is more distracting than the all the flags in the universe it seems.

Force Awakens (28)

So, the biggest question is: Where’s Luke Skywalker? The hero of the Rebel Alliance hasn’t been seen since the fall of the Empire, and Mark Hammil’s Jedi master has been missing from just about all of the promotional material released for the film so far. Luke’s clearly in seclusion, and most likely being saved for a big reveal in the film I’d bet.

Alongside R2-D2, who probably still has the stink of the last actor pilot who died inside of him when they filmed scenes in Tunisia.

Force Awakens (29)

It’s armour. It doesn’t have to be gender-specific. And Gwendolyn Christie is rocking her chrome armour and cape as Captain Phasma, an elite First Order trooper and commander.

Force Awakens (30)

Chewbacca! It wouldn’t be Star Wars without the lovable Wookiee, who appears to be in a tight jam with his co-pilot Han Solo and Finn. And with the expanded universe pretty much wiped clean, it looks like reports of Chewbacca dying when he fought back an entire moon (No for reals, go read it), were greatly exaggerated.

Force Awakens (1)

Or were they? Kervyn has a theory that Chewbacca might not live to see the end of this trilogy, as Rey grieves over what appears to be a familiar bandolier…

Force Awakens (31)

Death Star, Super Star Destroyers. Man, the Empire sure did like to inspire the populace with a quick reminder that genocide was but a massive laser-blast away. And it looks like the First Order is keeping the tradition alive, with an actual planet that doubles as a home-base and super-weapon of galactic proportions.

If the final act of the film features the Resistance having a massive battle with the First Order on home-ground while their super-weapon powers up, I’ll be one happy fan.

Force Awakens (33)

Man, Kylo Ren really loves using his talk-to-the-hand dark side powers whenever possible.

Force Awakens (34)

I don’t think Han could ever settle down. A smuggler, ruffian and a scruffy nerf herder, there’s just no way that he could live an ordinary life with Leia. He truly was a Solo, but it’s always nice to see the two of them together, as it looks like Leia has been leading the Resistance since the battle of Endor.

Force Awakens (35)

I don’t know how Finn got his hands on Luke Skywalker’s original lightsaber (which Obi-Wan Kenobi took with him after he defeated Anakin on Mustafar and left him to freakin’ burn to death as a one-limbed evil corpse), but he does look proper badass with it, igniting the blade and getting ready for a showdown.

Force Awakens (36)

With Kylo Ren, of course. I don’t care what anyone says: I like Kylo Ren’s lightsaber, even if it is impossibly impractical. It’s wild, spurting dangerous amounts of energy and ragged. Just like me, when you think about it.

Force Awakens (37)

And that’s a wrap! Star Wars is out December 18. I’ll finally pop my IMAX cherry when I go see it on the biggest screen possible.

Last Updated: October 20, 2015

95 Comments

    • Hammersteyn

      October 20, 2015 at 13:39

      • Grand Admiral Chief

        October 20, 2015 at 13:41

        I demand you change your name to HammerGlee, or GleeHammer

        Man card, hand it over, now!

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          October 20, 2015 at 13:42

          Lol I wouldn’t watch that to save my PS4. Google is handy for trolling though

          Reply

          • Grand Admiral Chief

            October 20, 2015 at 13:43

            I don’t get the reference, but posting that pic is close to a court marshal

          • Hammersteyn

            October 20, 2015 at 13:46

            Googling Finn brings up this image. So I would guess his name is Finn……….. you take all the fun out of trolling 🙁

          • Grand Admiral Chief

            October 20, 2015 at 13:47

            Y U POST FAKE FINN YOU BAD MAN?

          • Ir0nseraph

            October 20, 2015 at 14:21

            Busted 🙂

          • Hammersteyn

            October 20, 2015 at 15:23

            Bwahahaha see my reply.

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 14:43

            No it doesn’t

          • Hammersteyn

            October 20, 2015 at 15:23

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 16:49

            Actually the top IS there. Look again. Sorry bud but it seems your Google search preferences have let you down. Now we know you Google Glee. Often enough for your search prefs to tailor searches to your browser. Sorry mate.

            You are now a proven Glee fan.

          • Hammersteyn

            October 21, 2015 at 08:26

            LIES!!!

          • Raptor Rants

            October 21, 2015 at 08:59

            Search your feelings. You know it to be true

          • Hammersteyn

            October 21, 2015 at 09:37

            I’d rather cut off both hands with a lightsaber

          • Raptor Rants

            October 21, 2015 at 11:26

            That could be organised

          • Hammersteyn

            October 21, 2015 at 13:03

            A lightsaber? I call your bluff

          • Raptor Rants

            October 21, 2015 at 15:15

          • Hammersteyn

            October 21, 2015 at 15:35

            uh oh

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 21, 2015 at 09:05

            ….

          • Hammersteyn

            October 21, 2015 at 09:37

            XD

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 14:15

            Except that, you know, you knew the name to Google….

          • Hammersteyn

            October 20, 2015 at 15:23

            What? Finn?

        • Commander JJ of the Normandy

          October 20, 2015 at 14:14

          Yea, that guy died from a drug overdose.

          Reply

      • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

        October 20, 2015 at 13:56

        I am now beating my screen…excuse any slpeping msitakes a sI cnanot see aynthing amynore…

        Reply

        • Grand Admiral Chief

          October 20, 2015 at 13:58

          Luckily you area beating your screen, else I would have had to perma-ban you

          Reply

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            October 20, 2015 at 14:01

            I’m not a big fan of gggg….gg.g..gg…..sorry, gag reflexes kicking in…ggg..glee… That left a bad taste in my mouth…

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 14:02

            ……… wow….

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        October 20, 2015 at 14:01

        You’re both wrong…

        Reply

      • Commander JJ of the Normandy

        October 20, 2015 at 14:17

        I can’t be mean about this post. You know, respect the dead and all.
        Guy was young too.

        Reply

        • Grand Admiral Chief

          October 20, 2015 at 14:17

          Who is this person?

          Reply

          • Commander JJ of the Normandy

            October 20, 2015 at 14:18

          • Commander JJ of the Normandy

            October 20, 2015 at 14:19

            ;P

          • Grand Admiral Chief

            October 20, 2015 at 14:32

            Nope, not interested

          • Greylingad[CNFRMD]

            October 20, 2015 at 15:02

            Ok, a troubled youth featuring in many films and series who then died because of a heroin and alcohol complication… and Glee was a show many people would recommend for their kids to watch? I’m not sure this dude was much of a role model, maybe in the 1960s, but then again, those guys were actual rockstars….

  1. Raptor Rants

    October 20, 2015 at 13:44

    Just gonna throw this out there.

    “Always 2 there are. A master and and apprentice”

    Luke is shown maybe once in the trailer. Alone…. Is he a master now? Is he…. dark side? Kylo Ren his apprentice?

    Think about it. Or maybe he IS Kylo Ren???? DUN DUN DUUUUUUUN

    Reply

    • Grand Admiral Chief

      October 20, 2015 at 13:45

      Possible, unlikely though. Seeing as they undid the EU, he might even be Lord of the Dance

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      October 20, 2015 at 13:46

      Haven’t seen the trailer and now I’ve read too much.
      *Abandons comment section

      Reply

      • Raptor Rants

        October 20, 2015 at 14:00

        No! Come back and witness the power of this fully operational spoiler thread!

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          October 20, 2015 at 14:06

          Kylo Ren is Darth Revan because time travel shenanigans.

          /thread

          Reply

          • Ghost In The Rift

            October 20, 2015 at 14:08

            *SPOILER* Kylo is Garrus.

          • Grand Admiral Chief

            October 20, 2015 at 14:09

            O_O

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 14:09

            Yoh!

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 14:09

            No! No time travel kak in Star Wars! It worked for Star Trek. Won’t work for Star Wars

          • Grand Admiral Chief

            October 20, 2015 at 14:10

            Dude, JJ might just klap us with that

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 14:10

            There’s no space in the SW universe for that. Nothing that makes it possible or even a thing. Won’t happen. If it does… The movie will tank.

          • Grand Admiral Chief

            October 20, 2015 at 14:16

            Darth Revan travels thousands of years in the future, with amnesia, AGAIN, thinking Leia is his momma, and Han is his scruffy looking step-dad. Luke has resorted to the neutral/grey side of the Force, building jenga towers with the Force. Chewie became a madclaw after losing to R2D2 for the 9000th time and C3PO has became a bounty hunter after a memory wipe.

            In related news, IT’S A TRAP

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 20, 2015 at 14:19

            I heard C-3PO is always saying “confirmed!” but doesn’t know why because of that memory wipe.

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 14:28

            Wow

          • Grand Admiral Chief

            October 20, 2015 at 14:32

            10/10 would watch right?

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 14:39

            no

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 20, 2015 at 14:51

            Me neither. It’s just not the same without Spock.

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 14:52

            *starts to cry*

          • Grand Admiral Chief

            October 20, 2015 at 14:53

            Live long and use the Force!

          • Commander JJ of the Normandy

            October 20, 2015 at 14:57

            I shed a tear when they stepped into that Stargate.

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 14:59

            You guys are killing me….

          • Grand Admiral Chief

            October 20, 2015 at 15:00

            Just have some midichlorian milkshake, will get the shuttlepod in your docking bay fuelled up for the jump to hyperspace at warp 15.4

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 20, 2015 at 15:01

            Oh you know we’re just teasing, we all love Spaceballs.

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 16:50

            … Spaceballs rocks… I’m ok with that

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 20, 2015 at 14:11

            They’re different? O_O

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 14:11

            *twitch*

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 20, 2015 at 14:12

          • Raptor Rants

            October 20, 2015 at 14:14

            *twitching intensifies*

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 20, 2015 at 14:17

            Like I said I haven’t watched the trailer, but I hope we get to see more of those giant Ewoks. Or is he the king Ewok because he’s the biggest?

            (I will break you.)

          • Grand Admiral Chief

            October 20, 2015 at 14:17

            He ate plenty Ewoks

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 20, 2015 at 14:18

            Apparently they taste like Tauntaun.

          • Grand Admiral Chief

            October 20, 2015 at 14:32

            As long as they don’t smell like them

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 20, 2015 at 14:33

            Nobody can smell anything with Han Solo around. Why do you think Chewie’s always going “AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHH” instead of talking? That sensitive Wookie nose.

  2. Daniel Hallinan

    October 20, 2015 at 13:47

    One of the interesting things that I noticed, was the trailer showed us the new TIE /FO fighters using their turret guns to fire backward towards tailing X-Wing T-70 fighters. Neat that.

    REALLY hoping to see some fancy new TIE interceptors, though.

    Reply

    • Grand Admiral Chief

      October 20, 2015 at 13:48

      Awwww yeah, wouldn’t mind to see those!

      Reply

  3. Ghost In The Rift

    October 20, 2015 at 13:48

    So hyped to see Kylo’s character, such a bad ass, love the dark side voice although don’t know if it could be Andy Surkis.

    Reply

  4. RinceThis

    October 20, 2015 at 13:56

    Tickets booked!

    Reply

    • Ir0nseraph

      October 20, 2015 at 14:19

      Me too.

      Reply

  5. Alien Emperor Trevor

    October 20, 2015 at 13:58

    *S-foils to attack position. You’re such a fake Star Wars fan D! Wookie mistake!

    Wonder how many times they’re going to ask Finn if he’s ready for adventure.

    I haven’t watched the trailer and I’m not going to. I learnt my lesson from Ant-Man. That trailer ruined the whole boss fight. I want to be surprised, not sitting there waiting for a cool moment from the trailer and going… oh, okay.

    Reply

    • The D

      October 20, 2015 at 13:58

      NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERD!

      Reply

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        October 20, 2015 at 13:58

        Wait.. you.. I… GODDAMNIT

        Reply

      • Brady miaau

        October 20, 2015 at 14:01

        Yes, but accurate.

        Reply

  6. Brady miaau

    October 20, 2015 at 14:02

    I will watch tonight on big screen tv at home. Yeah.

    With wife and little girl. Maybe not little girl!

    I may, actually, go see this at the cinema. That is a big deal for me, hardly ever go, years in between trips to the cinema for me.

    Reply

    • Commander JJ of the Normandy

      October 20, 2015 at 14:18

      Same here. I’m also really considering watching this at the cinema

      Reply

  7. Commander JJ of the Normandy

    October 20, 2015 at 14:13

    Luke = darkside

    Reply

  8. Aries

    October 20, 2015 at 14:29

    This was a epic trailer, got my tickets for the 16 December at Imax, cant wait

    Reply

  9. WitWolfy

    October 20, 2015 at 14:29

    Who is this “Finn”? and Why should I care?!?!?! He seems so forced into this role. I swear every single still I’ve seen of this twat he’s always looks confused, constipated or zoned out.. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM!!!!!

    Reply

    • Robb

      October 20, 2015 at 19:49

      A. If he was raised by the Empire, then his world is turned upside down, hence the rampant confusion when he sees reality.
      B. Given that he looks like he’s fighting for his life most of the time, I’d zone out when I could catch a breather too.
      C. I have zero idea of the state of probiotics and/or daily fiber intakes for galactic residents, but nowhere do I see him eating any Wheaties… so he could very well be constipated. Tis a tragic circumstance.

      Reply

      • WitWolfy

        October 21, 2015 at 07:35

        LOL Only a true fan could’ve told me this!

        Reply

        • Robb

          October 21, 2015 at 19:13

          Thanks! I’d like to think myself a true Star Wars geek. The only other thing I would say is that I think Finn may appear “forced” simply because the general public is severely lacking in information/context. Granted, I’m delighted that Abrams has chosen to keep details under wraps, as that makes the anticipation even higher (especially in the modern day style of trailers basically giving out 50+% of the story line).

          Reply

  10. Kromas untamed

    October 20, 2015 at 14:42

    “Well, at least he’s in walking distance of the nearest settlement, wich
    is probably an even bigger hive of scum and villainy than Mos Espa.”

    The reference here was for Mos Eisley. Mos Espa was known as one of the most respectable and law abiding towns after the death of Jabba and before that it was one of the most law abiding towns due to the Hut council hosting the pod races there.

    I am sorry but please hand in your Star Wars fan card. 😛

    Reply

  11. James Anderton

    October 20, 2015 at 14:42

    “And yes, shut up nerds: I know that parsecs aren’t how you measure speed.”

    I’d hate to be that guy, but dissecting a trailer…. is pretty fucking nerdy.

    Be careful Mr. Pot.

    Reply

  12. Grand Admiral Chief

    October 20, 2015 at 14:56

    Han Solo looks 168

    Reply

    • Commander JJ of the Normandy

      October 20, 2015 at 14:58

      Is that code for Space Cowboy?

      Reply

  13. Sageville

    October 20, 2015 at 14:58

    Such awesome, can’t wait!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also

“Let’s get it!” Hilarious new “early access” trailer for The Suicide Squads sneaks online

A brand new trailer for The Suicide Squad has taken a very unorthodox road online, but now…