We’re just four days away fromStar Wars: The Force Awakenshitting theaters, with Disney and LucasFilm holding the world premiere today in Hollywood, California. This highly-anticipated adventure features new and returning faces from both in front of and behind the camera, with starsHarrison Ford(Han Solo),Mark Hamill(Luke Skywalker) andCarrie Fisherreprising their roles from the originalStar Warstrilogy, and screenwriterLawrence Kasdan(Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back,Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi) returning to co-write the script with directorJ.J. Abrams. Iconic composerJohn Williamsis also returning to provide the score, and today we have a new video courtesy of Film Score Media that shows the musician composing the theme for the film’s opening scene.
The seven minute video, which is part of an extended segment from60 Minutes' piece onStar Wars: The Force Awakens, also shows directorJ.J. Abrams, who reveals that this music will be studied by fans after the movie hits theaters, as we get to watch John Williams compose the score. We hear from the director himself, who speaks about how having a composer like John Williams is almost like “cheating” because he “writes feelings.” We do see a few snippets of footage from the movie, but we’ve seen these scenes before, except for one. This video gives us a tiny glimpse at a new scene featuring Rey and the ball droidBB-8. The director also adds that this part of the entire process may be the most “surreal,” since he grew up listening to John Williams.
Star Wars: The Force Awakenswill introduce three new heroes into theStar Warsuniverse,John Boyega’s Finn,Daisy Ridley’s Rey andOscar Isaac’sPoe Dameron, along withAdam Driver’s villainous Kylo Ren.Mark Hamill(Luke Skywalker),Harrison Ford(Han Solo) andCarrie Fisherare also reprising their iconic roles from the original trilogy, although very little is known about their characters. TheStar Wars: The Force Awakenssupporting cast includesDomhnall Gleesonas General Hux,Lupita Nyong’oas Maz Kanata,Gwendoline Christieas Captain Phasma,Andy Serkisas Supreme Leader Snoke andMax von Sydowas an unidentified character.
Star Wars: The Force Awakensis expected to break the all time record for highest opening weekend at thebox office, which was set this summer byJurassic World, which earned $208.8 million during its opening weekend this June. Some have speculated thatStar Wars: The Force Awakenscould earn upwards of $300 million during its first weekend in theaters, and it has already set a record for highest pre-sales, with over $50 million in tickets sold. That record was set last month, breakingThe Dark Knight Rises' record of $25 million. That $50 million tally has surely gotten bigger since then, but we don’t have any updated figures as of yet.
J.J. Abramsis directing from a screenplay he co-wrote withLawrence KasdanandMichael Arndt.Kathleen Kennedy,J.J. Abramsand Bryan Burk are producing with Tommy Harper and Jason D. McGatlin serving as executive producers.Star Wars: The Force Awakenswill be followed by the first spinoff,Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, arriving on June 03, 2025.Star Wars: Episode VIIIis slated for release on July 13, 2025, withStar Wars Anthology: Han Solo Moviearriving on June 15, 2025 andStar Wars: Episode IXpremiering sometime in 2019. Take a look at this seven-minute video that takes you behind-the-scenes ofStar Wars: The Force Awakens.
