‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Stormtrooper TR-8R Is Identified And Confirmed By Lucasfilm [Spoilers]

Star Wars: The Force Awakens fans have been spreading stormtrooper TR-8R mania via the social media sphere. Now, according to ComicBook, Lucasfilm confirms the identity of the mystery trooper with the mean set of riot gear weaponry. Of course, it was a name given to him by fans from shouting “traitor” when he immediately identified Finn, formerly known as FN-2187, and engages him in combat. It looks like he caught the attention of fans as he stood out among the rest of his clone cohorts, and internet memes and fan art immediately spread to celebrate his newfound fame.

The true identity of the stormtrooper has been made official. TR-8R is actually FN-2199, a.k.a. “Nines.” Looks like Nines is several digits above Finn in order of manufacturer or reconditioning. Perhaps that’s why he was able to recognize him so easily.

Also, a Star Wars fan/impostor was attempting to claim the TR-8R nomenclature by creating a ruse on Twitter with attempts to get free stuff for his fake fame, according to Furious Fan Boys. Perhaps this can be chalked up as one of the many memes expressed in social media.

No-Name Actor Lies About Being #TR8R on Social Media#TheForceAwakens https://t.co/rDcJeEE0IT pic.twitter.com/MQYeDB1jtI

— ManaByte Stands With ?? (@ManaByte) January 7, 2016

Turns out in Star Wars: Before The Awakening book, authored by Greg Rucka, which entails the lives of Poe Dameron, Finn, and Rey prior to The Force Awakens, Finn’s origin is detailed, according to Wikia. The Disney-Lucasfilm Press publication which was released shortly last year on Dec. 18, 2015, shows that Finn was in the same squad as Nines, and the gear that the latter is wielding in the movie is a Z6 baton, according to StarWars.com. There is a piece of art displaying the two of them sitting on a bench, probably waiting to practice battle.

In the publication, Finn and Nines were teamed up with another pair of stormtroopers, Zero and Slip. Slip was mentioned in ComicBook as the one who died leaving a streak of blood on Finn’s helmet. For those wondering what Slip’s designation was, according to BGR it’s thought to be FN-2003. Additionally, before his death he had also been known to “slip” up — hence the name. Of course, this is the pot calling the kettle black in the Star Wars franchise as there’s a running gag about stormtroopers missing their targets.

In The Force Awakens, it looks like contingencies were already in place in case of an uprising, and the fall of Darth Vader and the Emperor could have very well triggered a “Plan B” of sorts when it comes to The First Order.

Along with the Z6 baton, stormtroopers also carry “betaplast shields” used by First Order riot control stormtroopers to control unruly civilians on whatever planets they occupy. They do of course carry standard weapons if things get out of control, according to StarWars.com. From the looks of it, that nasty baton can hold its own against a lightsaber.

And when speaking of Star Wars weapons, one simply can’t leave out one of the most iconic pieces of weaponry in the franchise — Chewbacca’s bowcaster. Apparently, he used to assist taking out stormtroopers, and it packed quite a wallop, according to Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford. The bowcaster also even took Kylo Ren to his knee, so it cannot be underestimated. Zimbio gives a play-by-play on how the weapon deals the damage to Ren.

The Force Awakens‘ “puppet masters” behind the suit of FN-2199 are two different people. One is veteran stunt actor Liang Yang who is accredited for stunts in Edge of Tomorrow, 47 Ronin, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Dracula Untold, Exodus: Gods and Queens, Skyfall, and many more. The other voice-over actor who shouted “Traitor!” was Skywalker Sound sound editor David Acord who worked on some Marvel movies like Guardians of the Galaxy, Avengers Age of Ultron, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. A few other Star Wars credits go to Acord’s name as well.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is in theaters currently and directed by J.J. Abrams.

[Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images Entertainment]