D23 Expo 2015: Disney Reveals ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Poster, And Finn’s Got A Lightsaber
The first poster for Disney’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens was revealed at the D23 expo in Anaheim today, and to no one’s surprise, it is the work of Drew Struzan.
Struzan is the artist behind the posters for all six of the other Star Wars films, as IGN reports, in addition to the Indiana Jones series and a multitude of other projects. Fans had previously doubted whether he would return to the franchise to work on its seventh film, but the release of the first poster today confirms his involvement. His work for The Force Awakens also sports a few surprises, including the image of Finn holding the weapon of a Jedi in his hands.
ICYMI, here is @DrewStruzan‘s #StarWars The Force Awakens poster from #D23Expo. pic.twitter.com/lyBFikRbIf
— Zap2it (@Zap2it) August 15, 2015
Finn’s face was actually the first thing that Star Wars fans saw from The Force Awakens, as the initial trailer opened with him pulling off his stormtrooper helmet. The new poster seems to confirm that he will either be a Jedi or a Force-sensitive character in the film (or at least wield a lightsaber at some point).
Some #StarWars showing off their new poster. #TheForceAwakens #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/ttwSlaKYHN
— Marcus Errico (@MarcusErrico) August 15, 2015
Struzan’s poster is dominated by the figure of Daisy Ridley’s Rey, along with Finn standing next to her. The duo are overshadowed by Kylo Ren in the background, crossguard lightsaber at the ready, while Harrison Ford’s Han Solo also graces the image. Following its release at D23, Disney was quick to note that the poster doesn’t represent the official one-sheet for The Force Awakens, but rather a commemorative product for the expo, as ComingSoon notes.
Wanna see the new Drew Struzan ‘Star Wars’ poster just unveiled at #D23? Of course you do: http://t.co/e3bIvIfS8w pic.twitter.com/aiV5nYtRue
— Collider News (@ColliderNews) August 15, 2015
Recently, Star Wars director J.J. Abrams spoke with Entertainment Weekly regarding the characters in The Force Awakens, and the origins of their names. He specifically noted that in the cases of Finn and Rey, the fact that their last names aren’t yet a matter of public record is “very intentional.” As the Inquisitr previously reported, this stoked fan speculation that they could have some deeper connection to the already established Star Wars universe, or the characters set to return from the original trilogy. With the pair taking such a prominent place on the poster (particularly alongside Han Solo), fan speculation is certain to deepen regarding their role in The Force Awakens.
With the official movie poster certain to be released in the near future, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set to hit theaters on December 18.
[Image: Disney/ Lucasfilm via IGN]