At this point, Star Wars: The Force Awakens probably doesn’t need a single piece of targeted marketing in the next 100 or so days to be the biggest movie of the year. With only two teaser trailers and one very short Instagram teaser, there’s not much out there in the ways of actual footage of this movie that’s now just over three months away. But does there really need to be? Fans lined up along the world for the privilege of throwing money at toy stores this weekend for Force Friday, after all.
Videos by ComicBook.com
Plus, the movie has and incredible amount of built-in marketing. There are novels and comics with the label “Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens” right on them. Video games like Disney Infinity have already captured the public mind, getting kids and adults alike to think about Star Wars in general, and Star Wars Battlefront hits shelves in November, with DLC in December that leads directly into the film.
Of course, there still will be new footage released, at the very least a full trailer (instead of a teaser). Here’s what we hope to see in the full trailer, whenever it does come.
Some, not much, but some story
So, if you had to tell me, just what is The Force Awakens about? All we really know is that it’s 30 years after Return of the Jedi, there’s old characters and new, the First Order is standing in for the Empire, and the Resistance stands in for the Rebel Alliance. Other than that, there’s next to no real, confirmed information out there.
And it should largely stay that way. We’d like to see a little bit of the story, though, just enough to keep us all speculating and talking. Don’t you dare show me scenes from too late in the movie, or a big major action sequence, but do tell me a little bit about Kylo Ren’s motivations or what could possibly bring Han Solo back into the worlds of action and adventure.
The Knights of Ren
One of the most intriguing things we’ve learned about the villain Kylo Ren is that his last name isn’t a name at all – it’s a title, similar to Darth. Now, again, we actually like that there’s mystery to this film, and don’t want to know too much until we’re watching it on the big screen, but a bit of tease to the Knights of Ren, this order that Kylo belongs to, would be cool. Imagine a whole platoon of black-clad, mask-wearing Dark Side acolytes ready for action, and tell me that wouldn’t get you excited.
At the same time, keep the lightsaber unique, I hope; it’s more fun to see just a few isolated lightsaber fights, and keep them special.
Dialogue!
Do you know what Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma, or Finn sound like? Then you’ve seen, played with, or at least found online, their toys. Because the only people whose voices we’ve heard so far in actual footage are Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Supreme Leader Snoke. We’d like to hear a bit of dialogue, and get to know these characters better. Does Rey project as much defiance with her voice as she does with her eyes? Does confidence ooze from every dulcet tone of Poe Dameron’s words? And can we please hear a word or two from Leia (maybe a little “I Know” redux?)? No one has to deliver big spoilers, but as much as we already love these new characters, it’d be nice to get to know them.
A Boy and his Lightsaber
You teased us, Lucasfilm. You showed us that single second of Finn holding a lightsaber. You put it on a poster. You let us see the ribbing and know that it’s Anakin and Luke’s lightsaber. Now let us see just a bit more. Maybe we see how he gets it. Maybe we see why it’s also seen being passed apparently from one female to another. Maybe we just see him actually swing it once or twice. Just give us more of Finn and that shining blue blade. Anything. Please.
Princess Leia
The legacy characters have taken a backseat to the newbies so far, and that’s fine. In fact, it’s been pretty great, so no need to go too far in the other direction, but there are some familiar faces it would be nice to see. Getting a shot of C-3PO and R2-D2 (with a bleep and a bloop for good measure) would be fun, and seeing Luke looking like the imposing, wise old Jedi (with still a bit of a spring in his step – and lightsaber hand) would be great, too.
But mostly, we want us some Leia. The princess is essential to the overall Star Wars saga, and it would be wonderful to not just see her on screen, but maybe even in action. After the promise of “No, there is another” in reference to her being a hope for the Jedi, could we actually see Leia wielding a lightsaber, or at least doing a little Force push or persuasion? Maybe see her facing down Captain Phasma or one of the other leaders of the First Order? Any way you present it, just give us some Leia, show off her badassery, and we’ll all be cheering like you said “Chewie, we’re home” all over again.
