The first rumblings of The Last Jedi
Disney heralds the much-anticipated new Star Wars film with interactive technology and convention event
It’s officially Star Wars season. With the much-anticipated worldwide release of Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi just around the corner in December, Disney has officially kicked off their big ramp-up toward the release with their second Force Friday event, which began around the world on Sept 1. Until Sunday, fans around the world can download and use the official Star Wars phone app to seek out various augmented-reality (AR) figures. Doing so will allow fans to get a sneak-peak at both returning and firsttime characters in the upcoming film, along with Star Wars-related prizes.
In Singapore, the event also coincides with the 10th annual STGCC (Singapore Toy Game and Comic Convention), taking place on Saturday and Sunday. To build up to the convention, which will also feature an entire area dedicated to new merchandise from the new Star Wars film, Disney has decided to go all-out with the event, bringing numerous additional activities and special exhibits to Singapore’s Orchard Road, turning an entire strip of the famous shopping district into a miniature Star Wars theme park. Life had the opportunity to visit the event in Singapore last week. Here are some of the attractions.
AR PYLONS
As part of the aforementioned AR experience, Disney has scattered six digital pylons around Orchard Road. Look at the pylons through the Star Wars app, and you’ll unlock one of the AR “character experiences”, essentially short AR clips of the various characters. Fans can expect to find returning characters like Rey and Finn (portrayed by Daisy Ridley and John Boyega respectively), as well as characters that will be making their first appearances in The Last Jedi. Fans who unlock all 15 character experiences are eligible to win a seat to the Singapore premier.
SCALE-SIZED REPLICAS
Also scattered around Orchard Road are several scale-sized vehicles from the film. The highlight is the 1/6-scale model of the famous Millennium Falcon, though classic vehicles like the AT-ST or the new AT-ACT walker are also featured. Standing around each vehicle are staff members dressed in character costumes, ready for passing tourists who want to snap pictures.
MERCHANDISE FROM THE LAST JEDI
Products from the Star Wars franchise will be for sale, everything from action figures to toy lightsabers. Also featured will be a preview of the app-controlled droids, in three varieties: R2-D2, BB-8 and the new BB-9E. Each can be controlled via a phone app, which will also feature several AR experiences to be used with the droids. One of the demonstrated experiences allows users to steer the droid with their phones, while also seeing scenery from the films through the droid’s point of view. The droids are expected to be released some time in November.
JEDI PADAWAN TRAINING
Aspiring Jedi, aged four to 12, are encouraged to try out the special Jedi Padawan training activity. Held in 30-minute sessions, participating children are led through a series of lightsaber exercises from the film, simulating the experience of young Jedi learning the ways of the Force.
There will be a preview of appcontrolled droids R2-D2, BB-8 and the new BB-9E