BB-8 Speaks, Chewie Roars, and Kylo Ren Threatens Rey in New 'Star War: Force Awakens' Trailer
Surprise: It’s Force Friday all over again! A new Japanese trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens has arrived, with lots of new footage from the film (in theaters December 18) — including the first (non-commercial) appearance of C-3PO, another glimpse of Princess Leia, lots more BB-8, a big moment between two heroes, and some exciting shots of villain Kylo Ren wielding his cross guard lightsaber. Watch it above!
The new trailer begins, as the last one did, with desert scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) on the desert planet Jakku — which, more than ever, harkens back to the desolate planet of Tatooine, where Luke Skywalker’s adventures began in 1977′s A New Hope. Unlike previous Force Awakens trailers, though, the focus in this latest glimpse is on Rey’s companionship with the droid BB-8, who does lots of endearing R2D2-esque beeping and chirping. In voiceover, we hear the pirate Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong’o, still unseen) asking Rey questions about her identity, one of which prompts an intriguing response: “I know all about waiting. For my family.” Sounds like Rey, long speculated by fans to be the daughter of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) or Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), was abandoned on Jakku for a reason. But why?
Before any more is said, the trailer shows Rey and defected Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) standing on Jakku, watching the horizon as TIE fighters come in. It appears that First Order troops led by the chrome-domed Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), as well as the Darth Vader-worshipping Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), are laying waste to the Rey’s home planet. Perhaps they’re looking for somebody, like those Storm Troopers in A New Hope who torched Luke Skywalker’s aunt and uncle?
There’s some repeat footage from the full trailer of Kylo Ren speaking to the burned-out mask of Darth Vader, then new footage of him igniting and swinging his bright red, cross-shaped lightsaber. Cut back to Rey and Finn, who are running from an explosion — but look who’s come to the rescue! It’s the Millennium Falcon, and once on board, the two new protagonists finally introduce themselves. (Still no last names, alas.)
As the enemy wreaks further destruction on another planet, the trailer reveals a solemn pow-wow between Leia (who may be back in her role as a leader of the Rebellion), C-3PO (played by Anthony Daniels, with new red arm!), and pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac).
And our friends begin to get in on the action: A wide-eyed BB-8 watches an explosion, while Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) ignites one. Han Solo (Harrison Ford) informs Rey that the Force is real, which was in the last trailer, but who didn’t want to see it again? That’s followed by more footage from the full trailer, and then a gasp-worthy new shot of Rey being held at lightsaber-point in the forest by Kylo Ren. The new trailer ends with that sad scene of Rey weeping over a body, but the Lupita Nyong’o voiceover assures us, “Hope is not lost today. It is found.”
Luke Skywalker is still notably missing from the new trailer, as is the mystery villain played by Andy Serkis. But this new footage is a gift to Star Wars fans, and definitely not something we expected after waiting months for the first trailer to premiere in October. Yes, Rey — you’re not the only one who knows all about waiting.
