They're back; a Tie Fighter attacks the Rebels; Director JJ Abrams stands before a full scale model of an X-Wing fighter (Photo : Annie Leibovitz/Vanity Fair)
Yes, The Force was truly with Star Wars fans worldwide that loudly and proudly celebrated Star Wars Day on May 4.
Culture and fashion magazine, Vanity Fair, revealed its latest issue on the same day whose cover story featured "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" along with lots of eagerly awaited photos.
Photos for the cover story, "The Empire Reboots!" were taken by renowned American portrait photographer Annie Leibovitz.
Drool over the photos on this page and read on to know the latest about Star Wars VII that hits theaters worldwide on December 18.
The Force Awakens takes place 30 years after the events in Return of the Jedi (Episode VI). The beloved heroes of the immortal Episodes IV, V and VI are back: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Kenny Baker.
But as Episode VII takes place 30 years hence, we've a new set of rebel heroes and hateful villains in the persons of John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Lupita Nyong'o, Gwendoline Christie, Adam Driver, Crystal Clarke, Pip Anderson, Christina Chong and Miltos Yerolemou.
Bur more important, director JJ Abrams has done away with the childish silliness that made Episodes I, II and III the worst Star Wars movies ever and returned to the heroic, dirty and more adult roots of Episodes IV, V and VI.
That break with silliness is highlighted by the death of the despised Jar Jar Binks that embodied all that was worst with Episodes I, II and III. Yes, Jar Jar is dead and his bleached bones will make an appearance in Episode VII.
Reality will resurrect in Episode VII. The production team built -- really built -- a full-sized model of a rebel X-Wing fighter instead of relying on animation. Sets were constructed in the scorching desert of Morocco while a true to life Millennium Falcon set was said to have brought tears of joy from the crew.
New villains will arise: Captain Phasma played by Gwendoline Christie and the ruthless Kylo Ren played by Adam Driver who wields the new lightsaber with a laser-hilt. Both belong to the villainous First Order.
Among the new heroes are Oscar Award winner Lupita Nyong'o who plays a pirate named Maz Kanata; Oscar Isaac who's ace X-Wing pilot, Poe Dameron and Daisy Ridley who plays a character with the single name, Rey. The buzz is Rey might be the daughter of Han and Leia. And there's the new droid on the block: BB-8.
There are other characters played by Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow and Andy Serkis about whom little is known at this time.
But what we do know is the Force is coming.
