NumberWan

For me Maul was dead even before his revival and so on. J.J. Abrams hinted, that Episodes I - III are ignored for the most part. No Darth Plaguies for 100%. Though those, who say, that the prequels will be ignored at all, are wrong. It is logical, that the time of the Clone Wars isn't (directly) quoted anywhere in the film, the reason is that all that happened more than 60 years ago. Today even World War II in real life isn't remembered the way it was in XXth century. People do connect historical events with it, remember things, most impotant events, figures and even the UN is the result of that war. Same happens here. For the most people the Galaxy remains the same - full of its tragedies and injustices as well as relatively peaceful, but short moments. Only such as Palpatine, Vader, Yoda and perhaps some more would have a larger knowledge on such things. Early rumours suggested, that the character played by Max von Sydow, which hasn't been revealed yet, is another such person, who understands the Galaxy and not just knows the past events of the Galactic Civil War, but actually participated in both the Clone Wars and the greater war between the Empire and the Rebellion. His role in those conflicts wouldn't be revealed at once, but the rumour was describing his role as of a mentor to Rey, and that his knowledge of so many things, including those happened in the past 70+ years, allows him to guide the new generation of heroes in the most peculiar way. But this is just an early rumour, which I haven't heard for some time now.

@ I saw this concept, but never heard of the seven knights. Actually the latest rumours about Rens is that this is something new and not necessarily related to the Sith. L.Kazdan specifically said, that this is something very new to Star Wars and there is much of backstory to explore. Kylo Ren is taking a step on a path after them. I don't think we'll see a classic Sith Lord in the new episodes. At least not in Episode VII. But probably the Supreme Leader Snoke is just the right guy to replace Palpatine.

@@DrXann For now there is only the new X-Wing (black one, and I would like to see the blue one as well), and the Order transport (still can't get used to the fact, that I have to write Order transport instead of Imperial transport), which includes two Rebel/Resistance members. I wonder, of Finn used this TIE together with Poe to escape the Star Destroyer...

The Inquisitor looks much better than in Rebels. He has a more serious look and is closer to original Sith (previous) concepts. Darth Sidious would always remain a unique Dark Sider, so there is no need for this one to look as any other Dark Jedi. Jerec for instance looked vey much like an ordinary Human (back in 1990s he was believed to be a Human, rather than a Miraluka). The Senate Commando needs a bit of work with the form of the helmet perhaps. However a texture closer to the UV layout might correct the appearance as well.

I see the end of Tok quite logical here: TCW series as well as certain moments in Episodes II-III indicated, that the Republic was transforming rapidly. Into something, which wasn't seen clearly even to those, who doubted the war and Palpatine himself for years. Instead of a classic Jedi/Dark Jedi duel and Republic trial (as in case of Ahsoka Tano), the now influential people such as Tarkin can do and act as they please. According to their beliefs. I would really like to see Sly Moore in the next episodes. We all remember, that she wasn't present in TCW show, probably because she reminded Assaj Ventress a lot. We also know, that the Jedi suspected, that either she of Mass Ameddaa might have been the Sith, they've been looking for for years. She is often speechless and silent, but clearly she is an agent of Sidious. Her appearance, a bit frightening and dark, in Episode II instead of calm and seemingly gentle Sei Taria - was one of the indications, that everything within the Republic is moving towards great changes.

Two new vehicles will be seen in Episode VII: Assault walker (similar to Episode III walkers) and Elite Speeder Bike. The snow speeder of the First Order was revealed earlier with the Lego sets leak. But nevertheless here is a bette look. It reminds of the old toys of Star Wars in 1970s-1980s...

@ Yes, that's an old story now. I was also confident, that Harrison Ford agreed to the role only because that was a chance of killing the character, perhaps even in the most honorable way. However now that this might not be true, as some people claim, what if Han survives? In this case the question rises, what was it, that impressed the actor so much, that he agreed to reprise the role of Han? I thought that was Poe Dameron, wearing a standard costume for Rebellion/Resistance. You might say, that this character is a pilot, so why would he wear a different uniform. Well, there was a rumor, why he did that. I also see similarities here with Darth Plaguies, though Maul's lightsaber was also present in one of the screenshots with Rey's speeder. It is a coincidence however. I guess the staff of Rey and the lightsaber-pike of Plaguies are coincidently identical to a certain degree only. And Snoke isn't Plaguies, J.J. confirmed this officially. I do like the look of Snoke here, though it is strange, that a reptilian alien would control the First Order. Maybe he is a puppeteer behind the Imperial officials, not being visible to common folk. @@DrXann In most concepts her face is with wrinkles of some sort and that reminds me of Commerce Guild species from Episode II, the Gossam. The difference is that these aliens were rich and powerful by the time of the Clone Wars, but after 30-50 years of tyranny, the Gossam state fell into disarray, loosing all the money and resources to the Empire. Thus some ended like Maz Kanata - leaders of criminal cartels and other organizations, though for now we don't know for sure, what is the status of Maz Kanata. The trailer with Maz giving the saber to Leia, shows the alien a bit different. I see her there (part of the face) as an alien with much larger glassy bluish eyes.

Hmm, the model uses some shader, but the lights and shadows act somehow a bit strange, don't they? I mean, that it places lighter parts on some areas of armor, which would normally be darker. Overall I really enjoyed the model and also tried it with JA, replacing the original troopers. It seems there at least two blasters with white elements. The comparison of original blaster with the newer one. Thankfully it is possible to add the new black-white blaster without replacing any other weapon in JA.

@Kylo Ren I haven't seen that. =) I was the first to post the pictures anyways. Here is a new concept of Maz Kanata: An article at tuskenium.ru revealed a bit more after the facts about Kulo Ren, his lightsaber and others were published. One is about Harrison Ford, who actually was quite enthusiastic to reprise the role of Han Solo after reading the script. But does it mean, that he enjoyed the development of this character towards Episode VIII? Or does he expect his character to die by the end of TFA? Peter Mayhew can't mode without a walking stick, so in some scenes the scene was shot with a double. However J.J. and Kathleen Kennedy tried to use him in the scenes to the maximum. I wish we could see the photo of him meeting with Harrison Ford, some say it was a touching moment of old friendship. Episode VII wasn't the first in plans of new Star Wars movies. The anthology films were actually the first discussed projects, and it was George Lucas, who talked about these with Kathleen Kennedy before giving the Galaxy into her hands. Lauren Kasdan was even working on the first script for the film, as some rumors suggest, but eventually he started working on Episode VII. Not big revelation, but J.J. says that everything released already, including the 2 trailers/teasers, have some details to be placed together as puzzles. Some of these might seem irrelevant, while some draw lot of attention. For now people might not see these details, being too much agitated by the very fact, that new Star Wars will be released at all. Kathleen Kennedy says, that they've already thought through the events of the entire new trilogy up to the Episode IX. They have the general idea and they know, where they are heading to, but it's not something specific yet. I wonder, whether Benicio del Toro gets the role in Episode VIII.

The walls remind of Yavin IV again, while the engines... can't say those are of the OT timeline. They look more like podracer engines or "oldened" version of the prequel-era ships parts.

@@DrXann I can't remember the name of the author, but the style gives that very feeling. He is also the one behind Indiana Jones posters among many others.

There's been multiple photos of one transport now: it can be seen in the newest teaser for TFA, as well as in two pictures for Rogue One. Lego set has been revealed as well: It looks like a landing on Yavin IV, though I am sure it's a different planet also seen with the attack of the troopers. We now know, that some character under the name of Unkar is leading a group of thugs presumably on Jakku. And this set reveals some more Imperials, more than that - there are more female bad ones, not just Phasma. More can be seen here Captain Phasma spoiler:

So, there is a first shot of the cast of the Rogue One. reminds me of some sort of TV series like Walking Dead somwhow.

Yes, this constable Zuvio is similar to Embo. But the species is different. We have several background characters now, it seems, most of them look like pirates or scavengers. Some people actually tried to explain the cross-saber. https://youtu.be/L5h6BFZktJ4

Six planets or six principles. Or something else. =) As for saber, maybe it wasn't his weapon? What if he killed some primitive warlords on a remote planet, which created plasma/flame/crosssabers, thus it is far more primitive than what we know from the larger Galaxy.

I don't think the normal logics apply here. Possibly the saber doesn't use the crystals like in other weapons we know, be it Vader's saber or someone else's. It looks more like a flame actually, the blade itself is as deformed as the hilt itself. I were thinking what the First Order symbol might mean. It reminds greatly of many organizations in Star Wars: is has something similar to the Republic of Palpatine, the form also similar to CIS insignia. Some might mention EU organizations, but that's unlikely. Perhaps the symbol means, that the Death Star was destroyed - an Imperial tragedy, that was a catalyst in many other events, that would result in chaos in the Galaxy. The hexagon frame might have meant, that the Empire (First Order) managed to prevent chaos and re-established order in the new era. They also might be called the First Order, because after Palpatine's death many fractions were formed (even according to latest sources) and most likely they fought for the rule. But deemed illegal, unlike some group, which believes itself the true heir to the Empire and thus the only and the first legal post-Imperial government, thus the First Order.

@ Interesting comparison, but I have to disagree: the cultists don't seem to have worshipped Vader. We can see Vader's statue crushed to shards. However, I am not sure it's cultists' doing. @@hleV Perhaps Kylo is amateurish in his Force training (if any), so is the clumsy cross saber, which is far from Jedi/Sith elegant designs.

@ Hmmm. That article is quite interesting. I guess people will still be disappointed with one of the explanations, the one being the most debated. However I like the idea of Ren. Is it possible, that this is another title from the long past? It might have been thousands of years since the ancient Sith, and Darth and Dark Lord might have been the most notable and known ones, including the Jedi in the Old Republic (Episode I). What if Ren is something/somebody, who existed in the past and were related to the Force. Maybe these were a group, that followed the presumed destruction of the Sith (like 1000 years prior), claiming themselves to be the keepers of the Sith traditions. As they believed the Sith to be extinct, they might have tried to preserve the legacy, but were ultimately forgotten by larger Galaxy. Now that the Galactic Empire fell and the Sith vanished again, what if the Knights of Ren are the new followers, re-emerged with the same event - the presumed destruction of the Emperor and Vader? It's a speculation of course. I am so eager to learn more.

This is so cool. I feel, that as much as we have already seen, we must multiply that hundreds of times and that will be the exact amount of what we haven't seen yet, but what will amaze us a lot.

@@Asgarath83 I can't say for sure. I used this command long ago, but I think you can kill the NPC. And he is pretty much solid if not set otherwise via some other commands. If non solid, then it can be changed as well.

@@Asgarath83 This command works a bit strange: you can still see a shadow on the floor, and igniting a lightsaber is not always a good option for this "vampire".

@@DrXann Some suggest, those are indeed the new generation AT-ATs, though the real name must be different. @ I also expect the newer version of royal guards to appear. Perhaps seeing a McQuarrie's concept art would be in order, as they are using old concepts for newer elements in Star Wars. We can't see them in this shot anyways, because they are more likely to accompany Supreme Leader Snoke, who is obviously absent in the scene (and perhaps is unknown to many others).

@@Asgarath83 Isn't Set_vampire the command, that makes NPC invisible anywhere except for mirrors? (used on Desann in JO)