December is just around the corner, which is why Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm are currently stepping up their marketing plans in time for the cinematic release of "Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens" at the end of the year.
Over the weekend at the recently concluded D23 Expo held in Anaheim, California, Disney revealed a new poster for the upcoming installment in the iconic "Star Wars" film franchise. Popular movie poster artist Drew Struzan, known for creating the legendary movie posters of the "Indiana Jones" trilogies as well as the original "Star Wars" series, came up with a new poster for "Episode 7."
Struzan came out of his retirement to draw Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Finn (John Boyega), Rey (Daisy Ridley), and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) for the new poster. The image finally confirms that Finn will be one of the stormtroopers in the upcoming film.
However, the official Twitter page of the movie revealed that the new poster is not the official one for "The Force Awakens," and it is only meant as a commemorative release especially for the recently concluded expo.
Meanwhile, the Entertainment Weekly also released a series of cinematic stills that show several old and new characters of the movie. They include the previously elusive photo of the franchise's main protagonist Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill). The character is seen in a behind-the-scenes shot where he is surrounded by cameras while wearing a full Jedi Master costume. It can also be noted that Skywalker is now looking more mature with a full grey goatee.
A different EW feature also provided several details about the plot of the upcoming film, including the origin of Kylo Ren's mask and lightsaber. According to film director JJ Abrams, the lightsaber and mask of "Episode 7's" villain will be explored.
"The movie explains the origins of the mask and where it's from, but the design was meant to be a nod to the Vader mask. [Ren] is well aware of what's come before, and that's very much a part of the story of the film," the filmmaker said.
"Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens" will debut in theaters on Dec. 18.
