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[Dennis]

Seriously tho:

John Boyega - black man.
Daisy Ridley - white woman.
Oscar Isaac - guatemalan/cuban/french.
Gwendoline Christie - white woman.
Lupita N'yongo - black woman.
Maisie Richardson-Sellers - black woman.
Christina Chong - asian woman.
Crystal Clarke - black woman.

The first three people on that list are the leads. The next three people are supporting characters with considerable screen-time, reportedly. Also, the word is that Christie's character is a genderswapped version of the role that Cumberbatch almost landed.

They're going out of their way to make the movie look a little more representative of the audience that will be watching it.

I'm not saying you can't feel unimpressed by the diversity in the cast. I'm saying I'd probably disagree with your level of "meh" about it, though.

Wait, no white men? How am I going to relate?

Come back George, only you can save us now!

 

[Sanctuary]

I like how we still don't even know that it's a crossguard at all, but hey, let's just run with things.

What the hell else is it supposed to be? Thrusters?

 

[Skab]

In the bit with the Sith dude, where was his sabre before he drew it? I watched it a few times and I figure if it was strapped to his belt it would have been visible at some point before he drew it. It looks like it just appears as he starts to reach for it, like it falls out of his upper arm.

This is way late and was probably answered a hundred time already, but it's on his belt. Watch the 1080p version, you can see it clear as day.

 

[Ishida]

I just love the whole Lightsaber engineer experts that came from this teaser. It's like all those debates between Batman fans and Superman fans.

Exactly. It's ridiculous. Every time someone tries to debate or explain the logic behind the technology of Star Wars, I remember this:

 

[FleckSplat]

JJ, I am disappoint...

Is it just me or does every concept design artist have the same squat, angular typeface when writing things on concept designs by hand?

 

[StuBurns]

I like how we still don't even know that it's a crossguard at all, but hey, let's just run with things.

I was thinking it might be a flashback scene, that it's a prototype/very early iteration, and those are effectively exhausts, which is why it's a lot more flamey looking.

 

[Zombine]

JJ, I am disappoint...

You never cross the streams.

 

[Real Hero]

I have to admit, when I first watched trailer they seemed liked exhausts to me rather than a guard.

 

[SCReuter]

Honestly, the PT haters sound just as crazy.

Ignoring the canon? Hoping Disney segments the canon for people to enjoy a PT free Star Wars universe?

lol

As long as we get the unaltered OT that's good enough for me.

Not like many people in this thread even know much about Star Wars canon anyway. I hate to constantly bring up Clone Wars, but it's in canon, isn't terrible, and most of GAF doesn't know jack shit about it.

They probably know even less about Rebels.

I almost feel like you guys made a bigger issue out of this than I did.

 

[Napoleonthechimp]

I have to admit, when I first watched trailer they seemed liked exhausts to me rather than a guard.

Maybe the sith fella is self-taught and hasn't quite figured out how to refine his saber design.

 

[triplestation]

Doesn't the scene with the rolling droid have Pod Race engines in the background?

I wanna see Luke on a pod racer so bad

 

[Spiritreaver]

I was thinking it might be a flashback scene, that it's a prototype/very early iteration, and those are effectively exhausts, which is why it's a lot more flamey looking.

Yep, until I see this debunked that's what I'm going with too.

Perhaps the person we see is a novice lightsaber crafter and doesn't have access to proper training to build a lightsaber.

Marking this because it's based on rumors:

Spoiler

Or it may not even be his/her's. It could be a relic from a time where sabers weren't so finely crafted. Although it's EU, some Sith have been known to steal sabers, especially if they're relics.

 

[injurai]

JJ, I am disappoint...

In the first the blade is generated from the hilt, and partially refracted to either side. On the second those side emitters are fall too small to generate a beam.

 

[keltickennedy]

They are offset.

Looks dumb.

 

[Shogmaster]

Looks dumb.

Function > Form for something like light saber, no?

 

[Shogmaster]

In the first the blade is generated from the hilt, and partially refracted to either side. On the second those side emitters are fall too small to generate a beam.

The emitters are big enough for the small beams that are needed for the hilt?

 

[FeD.nL]

I really want a new Rogue Squadron. And what do you guys think are the chances that Oscar Isaac is Wedge Antilles son?

Spoiler

Always thought Wedge was badass growing up and he was my favorite toy figure to play with and thus had dibs on the X-wing instead of Luke

 

[nico1982]

Looks dumb.

Actually it is quite clever. Simple but functional. I like it.

 

[StuBurns]

Yep, until I see this debunked that's what I'm going with too.

Perhaps the person we see is a novice lightsaber crafter and doesn't have access to proper training to build a lightsaber.

Marking this because it's based on rumors:

Spoiler

Or it may not even be his/her's. It could be a relic from a time where sabers weren't so finely crafted. Although it's EU, some Sith have been known to steal sabers, especially if they're relics.

It being old makes more sense than it being a flashback actually, yeah.

I'm guessing that's Driver's character, looks suitably gangly.

 

[keltickennedy]

Function > Form for something like light saber, no?

The X-wing and The Falcon are sweet. They are both iconic looking, though there is no proper function to them at all without having any rutters or side thrusters to help them move like they do. It's Star Wars and the new lightsaber fits perfectly into it, reflecting some religious undertone for the sith being evil. (upside down cross)

 

[Zombine]

I hope we see more goofy saber designs in this trilogy. I want someone to use a trident.

 

[Mariolee]

JJ, I am disappoint...

Those don't seem nearly as wide enough to make any significant different in protecting the hand.

 

[injurai]

The emitters are big enough for the small beams that are needed for the hilt?

No, a beam can be generated at any length. It needs all the components to work which aren't fitting into those side emitters.

Anyways the crossguard design works and has been defended countless times in this thread.

 

[Shogmaster]

Those don't seem nearly as wide enough to make any significant different in protecting the hand.

To be frank, I don't want to be holding anything crazy dangerous like a light saber in the first place, but that's just me.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Interesting discussion about cannon. As one of the premiere prequel trilogy haters (I mean full blown salt and hurt about how they turned out relative to my expectation), I see no reason they shouldn't be cannon. The problem with those films was the acting, scripting, and awful inclusion of heavy, corny CG. Same with the Special Editions, which only added valueless garbage to what were films that were fine without them.

One can most certainly take the thigs that actually happened in the prequels (anakin's upbringing, gin's efforts to mold him, papaltine's conspiracy, anakin's fall, Luke's birth, the origin of the storm trooper, fall of most Jedi and Yoda's retreat) as cannon and all you need to remember from those awful films. Ignore the awful acting and side plots that went nowhere. Ignore Jar Jar and similar. The core events are what happened leading up to A New Hope and in that way they serve the "cannon" role just fine. Though I'd personally rather have a new graphic novel telling the events of 1-3 than the prequel films. I'll never watch those again.

 

[Hot Coldman]

why is he/she pulling out that lightsabre in the middle of a forest with no-one around anyway

or can we expect a Luke/Sith fight in the woods because that would be preeeeetty good

 

[Stet]

I forget which geek told me that I should research blade and weapon techniques if I wanted to question putting light sabres that close to your hand, but okay.

 

[Monocle]

Is it just me or does every concept design artist have the same squat, angular typeface when writing things on concept designs by hand?

Yeah, it's important to make your design notes clearly legible at a glance.

JJ, I am disappoint...

I like this.

 

[Real Hero]

why is he/she pulling out that lightsabre in the middle of a forest with no-one around anyway

He senses something with the force

 

[DiipuSurotu]

JJ, I am disappoint...

First one needs one laser-generating crystal. Second one needs three.

 

[Stet]

First one needs one laser-generating crystal. Second one needs three.

If KotOR taught me anything it's that crystals basically grow on trees.

 

[injurai]

If KotOR taught me anything it's that crystals basically grow on trees.

4000 years ago maybe

 

[Cheebo]

If KotOR taught me anything it's that crystals basically grow on trees.

Saber crystals are very rare in the SW Universe. Not easy to make a saber by any means.

 

[DrForester]

Saber crystals are very rare in the SW Universe. Not easy to make a saber by any means.

I thought they weren't that uncommon, but that Palpatine basically shut down all known places one could get them. Hence why Luke had to use a synthetic crystal.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

I thought they weren't that uncommon, but that Palpatine basically shut down all known places one could get them. Hence why Luke had to use a synthetic crystal.

The DeBeers of a Galaxy Far Far Away

I forget which geek told me that I should research blade and weapon techniques if I wanted to question putting light sabres that close to your hand, but okay.

1.) It's not a new design; it's one that has existed for some time. http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Crossguard_lightsaber

2.) I think we can safely assume that with Lucas' crazy ass out of the picture, we won't see any more ridiculous acrobatic CG Jedi-Sith fight awfulness like we got subjected to in the prequel series (the core concern presented)

3.) These are fucking Force-users. They're already using energy weapons. You think they give a fuck about danger in the same way everyone else does? Comparing their weapons and what they should be concerned with to the things your average human worry about makes the argument fundamentally flawed from the beginning.

 

[Napoleonthechimp]

I forget which geek told me that I should research blade and weapon techniques if I wanted to question putting light sabres that close to your hand, but okay.

First of all he manufactures real swords and not fantasy plasma ones. Secondly, he mentions that design would be bad if they resorted to the acrobatic approach to fighting as they have in the past. Well... who knows how that character fights.

 

[kr2t0s]

Wait...they aren't exhaust ports? They are totally exhaust ports.

 

[Cheebo]

I thought they weren't that uncommon, but that Palpatine basically shut down all known places one could get them. Hence why Luke had to use a synthetic crystal.

That is from the EU though. I am going off of The Clone Wars.

 

[Jack Scofield]

There comes a point in every movie trailer thread where fans start redesigning things that look even uglier than the original. Happened in the TMNT thread, probably is happening in the Jurassic World thread, and now it's happening here.

In nearly every case, the fan designs look horrid.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Wait...they aren't exhaust ports? They are totally exhaust ports.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Crossguard_lightsaber

 

[TAJ]

There comes a point in every movie trailer thread where fans start redesigning things that look even uglier than the original. Happened in the TMNT thread, probably is happening in the Jurassic World thread, and now it's happening here.

In nearly every case, the fan designs look horrid.

Function is part of design, too.

 

[Loxley]

Do people get this critical about the "practicality" of stuff like the design of Boba Fett's jet-pack? Guys, it's designed to look cool and sell toys, not to make sense. This is space-fantasy we're talking about here, not science fiction. Once you toss in laser-swords and telekinesis, you're already throwing logic out the window.

That's what I like about Star Wars, there really are no limits when it comes to design. You wanna give me a laser-claymore? Hell yeah, bring it on.

 

[Sanctuary]

3.) These are fucking Force-users. They're already using energy weapons. You think they give a fuck about danger in the same way everyone else does? Comparing their weapons and what they should be concerned with to the things your average human worry about makes the argument fundamentally flawed from the beginning.

I hope that you can see that this argument kind of kills the reasoning behind even using a crossguard in the first place.

Do people get this critical about the "practicality" of stuff like the design of Boba Fett's jet-pack? Guys, it's designed to look cool and sell toys, not to make sense. This is space-fantasy we're talking about here, not science fiction. Once you toss in laser-swords and telekinesis, you're already throwing logic out the window.

That's what I like about Star Wars, there really are no limits when it comes to design. You wanna give me a laser-claymore? Hell yeah, bring it on.

The problem isn't just that of functionality, it looks dumb as fuck and that their main (only?) concern was the "cool factor."

 

[StuBurns]

Do people get this critical about the "practicality" of stuff like the design of Boba Fett's jet-pack? Guys, it's designed to look cool and sell toys, not to make sense. This is space-fantasy we're talking about here, not science fiction. Once you toss in laser-swords and telekinesis, you're already throwing logic out the window.

That's what I like about Star Wars, there really are no limits when it comes to design. You wanna give me a laser-claymore? Hell yeah, bring it on.

Indeed. The whole concept of laser guns is fucking stupid. Why choose a technology that is actually slow enough to block or avoid instead of a bullet? It's all just goofy fun.

 

[Sanctuary]

Indeed. The whole concept of laser guns is fucking stupid. Why choose a technology that is actually slow enough to block or avoid instead of a bullet? It's all just goofy fun.

Who blocks or avoids laser blasts other than Jedi and cyborgs? I thought most of the actual "dodging" was preemptive, not reactionary by regular people. I thought the whole reason the shots look the way they do was just for a visual effect. You can't see a bullet flying through the air unless it's during bullet time, and at most you see the muzzle flash and shells dropping.

 

[maquiladora]

The problem isn't just that of functionality, it looks dumb as fuck and that their main (only?) concern was the "cool factor."

What concerns about other factors should they have then, other than functionality or the aesthetic?

 

[Dreams-Visions]

I hope that you can see that this argument kind of kills the reasoning behind even using a crossguard in the first place.

I hope you can see how it doesn't. Some danger in exchange for some additional safety is a risk suitable for one presumed to be as well trained and strong in "the Force" as the guy in the trailer probably is. We can assume he's not a novice. And because of the director, it's likely we won't see any bullshit acrobatic CG. Which makes finding out what he's capable of even more interesting and exciting. The man is inviting a bit of danger by default and he can apparently handle it where most Jedi/Sith cannot.

 

[thecouncil]

Who blocks or avoids laser blasts other than Jedi and cyborgs? I thought most of the actual "dodging" was preemptive, not reactionary by regular people.

Han Solo. Greedo shot first.

 

[brandonh83]

If I thought that new saber looked dumb I would probably think everything else about Star Wars looked dumb as well. And it kinda does!

 

[Sanctuary]

I hope you can see how it doesn't. Some danger in exchange for some additional safety is a risk suitable for one presumed to be as well trained and strong in "the Force" as the guy in the trailer probably is. We can assume he's not a novice. Which makes finding out what he's capable of even more interesting.

"Some danger" for some "additional safety".
Logic?

Since they are Jedi, and they don't think about risks like we would as you say, they wouldn't need the crossguard in the first place (if that's what it actually is). As it's been stated numerous times too, how often did sabers actually slide down each other instead of sticking? This is just another JJ lens flare. I happen to like almost everything he's done, but this is just weak.