We are a paltry two months away from the worldwide theatrical debut of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. For weeks now, Star Wars fans have been clamouring for any new information from Disney/Lucasfilm regarding The Force Awakens, based solely on a comment made by the film’s writer/director, J.J. Abrams.
During Disney’s very own expo — D23 — Abrams said there would be no new trailer for Episode VII, until the fall. Talking with our good friends Entertainment Weekly, this is what Abrams had to say about the timing of airing the third and final trailer:
"“It is true, we are showing no footage [At D23], behind the scenes or otherwise. In the fall, there’ll be a trailer.”"
Well, the fall is here and as one can imagine, Star Wars fans are hanging onto every rumor, leaked information, or bit of news coming from Disney/Lucasfilm. And now it begins…
As the first week of October came to a close, a new rumor began to catch a bit of steam, and even grabbed the attention of major sites like Rolling Stone and Sports Illustrated. It started with the always reliable Jason Ward at Making Star Wars, who broke the story from one of his sources, that the third and final The Force Awakens trailer could air during a football game on Monday night. As the week moved forward, we began to get more details, courtesy of an enterprising Redditor named DatESPNGUY:
"“This Monday Disney is releasing the full trailer for The Force Awakens after the first quarter of your game. The whole night from graphics and scoreboard are Star Wars themed. The intro to the game gets an opening crawl detailing your hated rivalry. Seriously it’s the coolest thing Monday Night Football has ever done. Oh and one more thing. The trailer will play on the screen at Lincoln Financial so that those in attendance don’t miss out!”"
Fansided Network’s New York Giants site — GMENHQ — has a thorough breakdown of the game with the Eagles:
"“The New York Giants travel to the city of brotherly love to take on the Eagles on Monday Night Football. The Eagles and Giants have a long back and forth history but lately it is the Eagles who have had their way. The Eagles have won 3 of the last four games against the Giants.”"
The Eagles and the Giants’ rivalry sort of reminds me of the conflict between the Empire and the Rebellion. In The Force Awakens, the Empire has been decimated after the Battle for Endor (at the end of Return of the Jedi), and a new regime emerges called The First Order. The Rebels have splintered as well, and Leia is now leading the Resistance against this newest threat to the galaxy.
The Philadelphia Eagles are well represented on the Fansided Network as well, with Inside the Iggles. Here they have their piece on their showdown with the Giants:
"“ODELL BECKHAM JR. hasn’t practiced for the Giants this week, but Eagles coach Chip Kelly said Friday that he expects Beckham to play against the Eagles Monday night, wonky hamstring notwithstanding.”"
Looks like Odell Beckham Jr. is Darth Vader to the Eagles’ Jedi Master Chip Kelly. I mean, what else would you call a man who can catch a football with one hand, body fully extended, ball behind his head.
There are loads of other clues pointing to Monday Night Football as the platform for J.J. Abrams and Disney/Lucasfilm to unveil the final trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. For one, ESPN is owned by Disney, so what better way to keep it all in the family, than by showing the most anticipated trailer for the most anticipated film in 10 years, on your very own sports network?
We’ve also got some silly fantasy football gurus from NFL.com, dueling each other, and Jerry O’connell, with lightsabers.
Another huge clue to Episode VII trailer airing during Monday Night Football, is movie ticket site Fandango will go live on Monday, October 19, with Star Wars: The Force Awakens ticket pre-order sales.
Finally, our last bit of Monday, October 19 Star Wars news comes from Instagram, and a commercial for Good Morning America, which promises something new from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
As if all this awesome news wasn’t enough to cause your brain to go into overload, the official The Force Awakens poster is expected to be unveiled on Sunday…yeah, it’s getting crazy around here. Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18.
Next: Watch Monday Night Football, See The Force Awakens Trailer