The Jedi Council: What we want to see in the new The Force Awakens trailer

We here at the Jedi Council are struggling to cleave to our Jedi Code. Why? Because we’re so excited for the new Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer coming on Monday, we just can’t keep our emotions (and squeeing) in check! To avoid an Order-shaking cataclysm, in this week’s Council meeting we are venting our passion and anticipation by sharing what we each want to see most in the new trailer.

David (Razor) Harris: For me it’s simple: More Kylo Ren. The Dark Side of the Force has always fascinated me and from the first moment he ignited his crossguard lightsaber on-screen, I have been utterly enthralled. I want to know who he is, where he comes from, and why he chose the Dark Side. Also, I want to see more members of the Knights of Ren. If Kylo is just a pawn of a much larger cult-like group, then I want to see them.

Finally, I need to see Luke…Jedi Master Luke Skywalker, to be exact. Sorry Elaine, I know you want that to be something revealed in the film itself, but come on, this is Star Wars, and Star Wars is about the Skywalkers, and so far — unless Rey or Finn or Kylo is a Skywalker — we’ve not seen a full shot of Luke or Leia. I need this to happen.

Elaine Tveit: Rather than starting the Council’s discussion with something I want to see, I thought I’d begin by saying what, or rather who I don’t want to see: Luke Skywalker.

That may be a controversial opinion for many fans. It has certainly not gone unnoticed that Luke has been curiously absent in promotional art and most Episode VII footage. Coupled with all the rumors of a mysterious disappearance before the events of a film, it’s clear Disney and Lucasfilm are keeping the Jedi Master under close guard, and this can be frustrating.

However (from a certain point of view, at least), it’s a wise move. Not only does it lend Luke a greater sense of mysticism that’s more in keeping with how we left him in Return of the Jedi, it revives the legend of the Jedi Order for a new era of fans and in-universe characters alike.

One thing I am not opposed to, however, is hearing him speak.

While we did hear a snatch of dialogue from Luke in the second teaser trailer, it was more of a mishmash of original and re-recorded lines from Return of the Jedi. Now, I want to hear Luke say something new and different, something that alludes to what has happened to him in the thirty years since the Battle of Endor. Even just a reference to Luke by another character would be welcome; anything to give us a sense of what we have to look forward to from the son of Darth Vader in The Force Awakens.

Of course, if they do show Luke Skywalker in the trailer, I will be ecstatic. But until then, my fangirl expectations will be tempered by my cinematic sensibilities.

Kyle Warnke: It’s hard to believe that we’re this close to the premiere of The Force Awakens and we still haven’t both seen and heard from the entire cast. As Elaine mentioned, we haven’t gotten good looks at Luke or even Leia yet. But I’m OK with keeping their appearances under wraps, if only to heighten the impact of their returns onscreen when we watch the movie in theaters.

But there are several other characters who remain mysterious. We’ve gotten a few looks at Domhnall Gleeson’s General Hux and Gwendoline Christie’s Captain Phasma, but not much else. There’s even less to go on for Lupita Nyong’o’s Maz Kanata, Andy Serkis’ Supreme Leader Snoke or Max Von Sydow’s role.

I’d like to see at least one of these characters pop up in the trailer, hopefully with a line or two. We’ve either seen or heard from almost all of them, except for Sydow, but to see them in action, whether they’re being played by a human or realized through computer-generated means, would give us a real sense of what to expect from their role and how the filmmakers are approaching them. It could even open up the door for them to start appearing in some Expanded Universe content ahead of the film.

Joe Prescott: The Raid Trio, for sure.  Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian and Cecep Arif Rahman are all set to appear in The Force Awakens, and as much a part of me wants to wait to see them in action in December as well as see them in the new trailer.  The Raid: Redemption was one of the standout movies of 2012, not just for me but for critics worldwide, and watching these guys fight was stunning considering the lack of wires and CGI involved; dedicated martial artists true to their skills.  Having these guys involved should make for some spectacular choreography and stunt-work in the new film, and we all know J.J. is sticking to the practical roots of the OT with actual sets and limited CGI, so they should be a treat in action.

If it’s the case that we’re only ever treated to glimpses and flashes of new characters and settings in the trailers anyway, I’d like to see more droids as we’ve only been introduced to BB-8 so far, albeit to great effect as this BasketBall-8 has instantly stolen our hearts and imaginations (and wages!).  I’ve heard tell there’s a number of droids we’ve yet to see, but they do have their own merchandise arriving soon so maybe we’ll get to see them in order for Disney to have a basis for releasing them as action figures.  PZ-4CO, B-U4D and ME-8D9 all have new entries in the Star Wars Databank and as there’s been set shots of these characters anyway, maybe we’ll get to see them briefly.

Something else I’m looking forward to from the new trailer is not necessarily something I’d like to see, but rather hear.  We all adore John Williams scores, and like them or not the Prequels did have some superb musical pieces.  To hear just a few seconds of a new composition would truly melt my heart and fire my anticipation to greater heights, plus have a new tune to whistle all the time (along with Imperial March, Force Theme, Main Titles, “Mad About Me” etc).  New music, new characters and new excitement, not that much to ask for is it??!?

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