"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" introduced new kinds of Stormtroopers such as the chrome-armored Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie) and Stormtrooper FN-2199, who wielded a melee weapon with electric charges at its end. New rumors now reveal that "Star Wars: Episode VIII" will also introduce a new type of Stormtrooper.
According to Making Star Wars, the new Stormtrooper is going to be referred to as The Executioner. This new Stormtrooper has a black lining on the helmet, but other than the few black portions on its armor, it will resemble the normal Stormtroopers. The main difference, however, is with this Stormtrooper's main weapon.
Ordinary Stormtroopers rely on blasters, and FN-2199 used a melee weapon. It is revealed that the Executioner will also be using a melee weapon, but the tip will split into three razor sharp edges. According to the report, these tips were inspired by the 1979 film "Phantasm," which had a spherical weapon with blades protruding out of it.
It is further pointed out that the rumor may be true given that Captain Phasma was also inspired by "Phantasm."
SlashFilm also points out that it is uncertain at this point if this is just going to be one kind of Stormtrooper or if it is a collective term for an entire platoon of riot control soldiers. FN-2199 is the most memorable from "The Force Awakens," but the film did show other Stormtroopers like him, also armed with melee weapons and blasters.
Other films in the franchise, like "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," are also introducing other kinds of Stormtroopers, so it would not come as a big surprise that "Episode VIII" would be introducing a new kind as well. The First Order did see a great loss in the destruction of their main weapon in "The Force Awakens," so having a new kind of soldier to fight the Resistance would make sense in the narrative.
"Star Wars: Episode VIII" is scheduled to premiere on Dec. 15, 2017.
