What’s in a name? A lot, in the Star Wars universe. It can differentiate one between the Dark Side and the light or, in the case of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the New Order and the Resistance. Still, there’s a reason director J.J. Abrams has kept the full names of newcomers Rey, Finn and Oscar Isaac’s X-Wing pilot Poe under wraps, as it would surely spoil their respective connections to the original crew of heroes.
It’s for this reason that, aside from the off-screen references to Luke and Leia, there’s been nary a mention of Skywalker – or indeed Solo – in the teaser trailers released thus far, as fans clamor for any new information that will piece together the old guard and the new. Going on record, here’s what Abrams had to say in an interview with Entertainment Weekly.
“I will only say about that that it is completely intentional that their last names aren’t public record,” Abrams affirmed.
Admittedly, it’s hardly surprising that the filmmaker wants to keep The Force Awakens‘ biggest secrets in the shadows for as long as possible; hell, if we had it our way, the true identity of Rey, Finn and Poe would remain a secret until the theater lights went down on December 18. Still, given that Abrams’ sequel is arguably the biggest film in production at the moment, we wouldn’t get too hopeful.
News of character surnames is just the tip of the Star Wars iceberg, with EW unleashing a cavalcade of details relating to the director’s decision to reconsider his chance to helm Disney’s reboot, Adam Driver’s villain and a brief teaser relating to Episode IX. Oh, and there was also that mammoth beast spotted in the photo with Rey and an ensnared BB-8. Abrams confirmed it is known as a Luggabeast.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens will blast into theaters on December 18, 2015.