New photos from EW’s coverage of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

This has been an exciting day for Star Wars fans, as Entertainment Weekly has dropped a Star Destroyer sized bomb on the internet today, by revealing their coverage of Star Wars: The Force Awakens for their big Fall Movie Preview. As part of that continuing coverage, we’ve got 12 new photos from EW’s exclusive look at what appears to be stills from the the actual film. Check them out!

This first photo is Rey and Finn (Daisy Ridley and John Boyega), fleeing from an attack by The First Order on the new desert planet, Jakku. Notice the new look First Order troopers aiming their blasters in Finn and Rey’s direction…let’s hope these troopers are as bad a shot as the Original Trilogy troopers were.

Here we have Kylo Ren. We just learned, thanks to EW, that “Ren” is a title, just like “Darth.” This looks to be a shot from the snow covered woods, when Kylo first appeared in the original teaser trailer. Looks like he’s getting ready to do battle with another Force user, as the stance and grip on his lightsaber would suggest melee combat of some sort.

This photo is revealing, because we now know who was piloting the crashed elite TIE Fighter…and it apparently was Finn! We originally posited that it was Captain Phasma who was piloting the doomed TIE, but now that argument and theory can be laid to rest…unless this is Finn checking for survivors.

Here we have Rey dealing with another scavenger. There are two very interesting points in this photo: First, Rey is either securing BB-8 to the scavenger’s mount, or she is setting him free. Second, the scavenger’s mount in extremely cool looking and seems to be a sentient creature covered in armor.

Ah, our two favorite droids are back in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It’s like seeing two old friends that we haven’t seen in a very long time. Notice the red arm on C-3PO, it looks like he’s seen better days. Also, R2 being in the same shot as Threepio could mean that Luke Skywalker is more involved with the droids than previously thought. Until now, we’ve only seen R2 with who we assume to be Luke, in the second teaser trailer.

We’ve seen this shot, earlier today…but wow, does this invoke a feeling of true menacing darkness and power held by the Sith. We’ve got Kylo Ren leading three First Order stormtroopers, in what appears to be the fiery aftermath of an attack. The surroundings seem to be Jakku, as well, which lends legitimacy that the First Order comes to the desolate planet to seek out either the deserter Finn, or a powerful relic, such as a lightsaber.

Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux. The look on both his face, and the uniform he is wearing, speak to the old Galactic Empire’s aristocracy, that filled the ranks of the Empirical Officer Corp.

Game of Thrones actress, Gwendoline Christie as the chromed-out elite trooper, Captain Phasma. This closeup look at Phasma, shows her chrome armor to have taken some damage and gotten a little dirty. In other photos, we’ve only seen her in the shiniest of chrome. Her blaster, complete with scope, is unique, and the cape draped over her shoulder only further serves to make her stand out as a leader in The First Order.

There is also a photo of Star Wars: The Force Awakens director, J.J. Abrams talking to screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan on the steps of The First Order’s Starkiller base. EW notes that the red pages in Kasdan’s hand signifies security measure taken on set, so that no one could steal copies and leak them to the internet…or other sources.

You can see all these photos and more, as well as EW’s complete coverage of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, by clicking THIS LINK. You can also order the Entertainment Weekly Fall Preview here, or wait until Friday to pick up your copy at participating stores and newsstands. These photos are extremely exciting, and I cannot wait for December 18, when The Force Awakens premieres in theaters.

Next: More Info about Kylo Ren from EW's Star Wars: The Force Awakens Preview