LUKE WHO ’S TAL KING

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI

Breaking down the year’s top teaser trailer… 01

We start with a gasp, à la the first Force Awakens teaser. Key items on the Jedi-training syllabus: breathing; levitating pebbles (not from Superman’s coffin, despite the uncanny echoes).

02

As Rey says “light” we get a look at Leia (Carrie Fisher in her final saga appearance) surveying a star map in what appears to be a new base for the Resistance. Or maybe they’ve had the decorators in.

03

On new mineral-based planet Crait, Resistance ships – called ‘skimmers’ by Rian Johnson – speed into battle with a detachment of First Order walkers rumoured to have a gorilla-like appearance.

04

Time for a catch-up with Finn, recovering from his lightsaber whupping. Bothan spies inform us that the text (in the Star Wars- ese ‘Aurebesh’) on the medical pod tells us his condition is stable.

05

Proving it’s not all about Force-folk, here’s Poe Dameron and BB-8, losing yet another X-wing fighter in what could be a First Order sneak attack. Is that Poe flying the Falcon in the subsequent fly-by?

06

Kylo Ren, likely doing something sadistic with his crossguard ’saber. Episode VIII will see him with a Vader-esque cape and Anakin-style scar (which has been moved by Johnson to look less “goofy”).

07

After the conspicuous absence of space battles in Episode VII, The Last Jedi gets back on the case, with X-wings, TIE fighters and craft that look like the outboard-motor-inspired Rebel ships of yore.

08

The kicker: “I only know one truth,” Luke solemnly intones. “It’s time for the Jedi to end.” Is he serious? Is he seeing a bigger picture? Is he just trying to get Rey off his case? ML