Nils Jorgensen/REX/ShutterstockThe Star Wars Celebration event Friday gave fans a lot to look forward to. Star Wars: Rogue One doesn't hit theaters until December, but hopefully the star-studded event today will tide fans over until they're able to see the highly anticipated movie on the big screen.
Although Friday's Star Wars Celebration event in London was meant to be just that— a celebration—the festivities kicked off on a somber note. Panel moderator and Star Wars actress Gwendoline Christie began the event with a moment of silence on behalf of those lost in the attack on Nice, France, Thursday. Eighty-four were said to have been killed.
The Game of Thrones star said it wouldn't be right to continue an event called "Celebration" without first honoring the victims of the attack. "On behalf of everyone our hearts go out to the people in Nice and in France," she said. "I know there's so many people here. I'd like us all just to take a moment to send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers."
About 4,000 fans then joined in to sing France's national anthem "La Marseillaise" before continuing on with the panel. The first major revelation to come from the panel was when director Gareth Edwards revealed the name of the tropical world where a major battle takes place: Scarif. Moments after the program released a new poster depicting Sarif and a massive Death Star looming over it.
The poster includes the tagline: "A Rebellion Built on Hope."
Mark Hamill, who famously plays Luke Skywalker, revealed that he wasn't happy with the way he found out his role would be so minimal in The Force Awakens. "No, no, I wasn't insulted. I thought it was a really great surprise. But I don't think they prepared me correctly," he answered. "I went to training, and I lost all this weight. I thought, 'I must be doing something physical if they're sending me to the gym twice a week and torturing me physically."
In hindsight he wished production had warned him earlier about what his role entailed. "It's all about preparing you. 'Oh, by the way, all that workout where you lost all the weight? You're going to have to turn – and remove your hood,'" Hamill joked. "I'm like, ugh, I need to lie down for a minute."
Hamill also admitted while teasing Episode VIII that "May the Force be with you" could be a thing of the past. "I was looping Episode VIII yesterday, and there's dialogue in there, and I thought, 'Oh boy, I can already see this on a T-shirt. Rian Johnson is amazing," he said of the next installment's writer-director.
"He'll make you forget all about 'May the Force be with you.' He's come up with so many new catchphrases."
During the event, fans were lucky enough to catch a glimpse at footage from the forthcoming movie, but unfortunately it isn't being released outside of that room. According to Entertainment Weekly, however, what was seen involved a young girl "running across a tundra," perhaps implying that it could be a young Jyn (Felicity Jones). Apparently there were other quick snippets of battle scenes, but the most important revelation was the appearance of a masked, cloaked figure whose one mechanical breath gives away his identity: Darth Vader is back.
For those who couldn't attend the event, the team released a video clip to the public that features snapshots of the film with behind-the-scenes footage and voiceover.
Rogue One hits theaters December 16, 2016.