Five Tidbits Gleaned From The STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Press Conference

Less than two weeks until the release of probably the most anticipated movie of 2017: Star Wars: The Last Jedi. I know I can’t shut up about it and I have to be even more careful about what articles I read (and write) for fear of spoiling something. That being said, I do enjoy reading some things that shouldn’t spoil plot points. For instance, the global press conference for The Last Jedi was on December 3, 2017, and there was a lot of secrecy happening. The film was not screened for the press and the cast and director were very secretive in their comments. We have a short list of five things that were learned at the press conference that our own Joey Paur was attending. I’m going to throw up a Spoiler Alert here, but you should read #3. It’s hilarious and 100% spoiler free. I will be summarizing most of the points here.

1.    It follows the pattern of the other Star Wars trilogies by having a darker tone. I think most of us have already felt the darker tone this movie exudes in the trailers and I’m sure that’s not a red herring. Rian Johnson, the director, even admits that it’s, “a little darker” than The Force Awakens. This doesn’t mean it won’t be fun though.

2.    It is HUGE! John Boyega, Laura Dern, and Adam Driver all commented on how big of a spectacle this movie was. However, they also all commented on how the film is still intimate. Boyega states:

“Every day was a new set. The practical effects like doubled. The sets were bigger. It was exciting and amazing. But you still felt an intimacy, like an independent film but with a big budget.”

3.    This next one is the best thing ever. Basically, Mark Hamill is the BEST at keeping secrets. As you know Hamill is reprising the iconic role of Luke Skywalker. He apparently was dodging every question that was asked. And at one point someone asked what it was like for him to train Rey and he immediately responded with this amusing response:

"Well, you're assuming that I train Rey. Do I? I don't know. I have to be really careful. People ask me if it was difficult to pick up and wield a lightsaber and I go, 'Do I?'"

Regardless, he assured us that his screen time is at least twice what it was in The Force Awakens.

4.    The First Order is scary as ever. They are putting all of the pressure on the Resistance. The problem is that there are problems in the First Order. We already know that Kylo Ren and General Hux have a rivalry between them, so how is that going to help them? Domhnall Gellson who plays Hux even says, “I think it’s funny, the huge amount of drama going on in the First Order and the huge amount of bitchy infighting. A united front is difficult for them.”

5.    We will not be following the droids as much. A lot of the story in Star Wars: A New Hope was told through the “eyes” (optical sensors?) of R2-D2 and C-3P0. George Lucas purposefully did this. We have been told that The Last Jedi will not follow suit.

Which was your favorite of these tidbits? What are you looking forward to the most?

Star Wars: The Last Jedi hits theaters December 15, 2017.