So much for the debut of new footage from STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS at the upcoming D23 Expo. Director J.J. Abrams has completely put the kibosh on any hope that we would see new scenes or even a trailer for the upcoming sequel at the Disney fan convention this weekend. Abrams confirmed the news to Entertainment Weekly and gave the rationale as to why.
“It is true, we are showing no footage, behind the scenes or otherwise. In the fall, there’ll be a trailer. We’re thrilled to go to D23 and meet the fans, but it’s a tricky thing to try and rush [footage] for a convention or preexisting event that would, of course, be fun to show something at."
While some fans may be upset or annoyed, I am incredibly excited not to see anything new from STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. We live in an age where every studio inundates us with teasers, trailers, clips, TV spots, and more as early as a year before a film hits theaters. We have become accustomed to debuts at San Diego Comic Con and when it doesn't happen, we feel slighted. But, what could be better than being just four months away from seeing a new STAR WARS and knowing virtually nothing about it?
Abrams isn't even done with the film yet as he continued to share.
“I’m still editing and we’re working on refining the cut, but it’s incredibly fun to see the movie come together,” Abrams said. “You realize certain things that you don’t need, certain things you can pull out.”
I would wager the finished STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is going to clock in at two hours, plus or minus ten minutes. Abrams' film is not going to be as indulgent as the George Lucas films and should harken back to A NEW HOPE in terms of tone and length. Whatever it ends up being, it feels very rare to be going into a film this blindly. It feels special.
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS hits theaters on December 18th.