Nov. 28--"There's been an awakening. Have you felt it?" (If not, you probably noticed its impact Friday morning on Twitter or Facebook)
That's how the first official teaser trailer for J.J. Abrams' "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" opens. What follows in the next 88 seconds is a rapid-fire tour through the familiar trappings of the franchise: sand, Stormtroopers, a speeder bike, X-Wings, TIE fighters and the Millennium Falcon.
There's a few interesting touches, like a cloaked figure carrying a crucifix-shaped lightsaber and a soccer ball-style droid that looks like the business end of a Dyson vacuum.
However, beyond the new tech and a first look at franchise newcomers John Boyega and Daisy Ridley, the teaser reveals no major plot points of the film. Also absent from the teaser are any major characters from the original trilogy, such as Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa or Han Solo.
The film will take place 30 years after the Battle of Endor, the final fight in the original trilogy. Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford have all signed on to reprise their roles. Besides the teaser trailer, casting decisions and some photos, few details have been released about the new film.
The trailer will appear in 30 select theaters Friday, including the Regal City North in Chicago.
The movie, also known as Episode VII, will be released on Dec. 18, 2015.
