Next Friday not only marks the start of the Labor Day holiday weekend, but it will also be a big day forStar Warsfans around the world. Friday, September 4 is also known asForce Friday, when the first merchandise forStar Wars: The Force Awakenswill be available for purchase. Several retailers are offering special items for consumers, and today we have word fromStar Wars Junkthat Toys “R” Us is giving away a specialStar Wars: The Force Awakensposter, which you can check out below. But be warned, supplies are limited. You will definitely want to start lining up well before midnight to get your hands on it.
The promo poster featuresFinn(John Boyega), who is flanked by Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). The poster gives us yet another look atJohn Boyega’s AWOL Stormtrooper holding a blue lightsaber, which we first saw in the newDrew Struzanposter unveiled at the D23 Convention, and in the briefteaser trailerthat debuted yesterday. There has long been talk that Finn will either become a Jedi Knight, or at least start his training inStar Wars: The Force Awakens. This lightsaber in question actually belonged toLuke Skywalker(Mark Hamill) before he lost it in the battle against his father Darth Vader on Cloud City. It is believed that Kylo Ren wants it for his collection.
One of the earliest plot rumors to surface forStar Wars: The Force Awakensclaimed that both Finn and Rey meet on the desert planet of Jakku, where they find this lightsaber attached to a severed hand. They go on a journey to find its rightful owner, when they come across Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew). It has since been confirmed byJ.J. Abramsthat Princess Leia is actually in possession of Luke’s old lightsaber, which was passed down to him by Obi-Wan. We don’t yet know how Finn comes to wield it in his fight against Kylo Ren.
These aforementioned stars will be joined byCarrie Fisher(Princess Leia),Adam Driver(Kylo Ren),Domhnall Gleeson(General Hux),Lupita Nyong’o(Maz Kanata),Gwendoline Christie(Captain Phasma),Andy Serkis(Supreme Leader Snoke),Anthony Daniels(C-3PO) andKenny Baker(R2-D2) when this long-awaited sci-fi adventure hits in time for the Holidays.J.J. Abramsdirects from a script he co-wrote withLawrence Kasdan. The next trailer is slated to debut sometime this fall, but we don’t have a specific release date yet.
Before the Force Friday festivities take place, LucasFilm will host a live streaming event on theStar Wars YouTube channel, where the new merchandise will be unveiled for the first time. The event will take place over 18 hours, with live streams happening in 15 different cities in 12 countries, ending in San Francisco on Thursday, September 3 at 8 AM PST. While we wait for that exciting event to unfold, check out the new poster forStar Wars: The Force Awakens, arriving in theaters December 18. And be sure to visit Toys R Us next Friday if you want make like Kylo Ren and collect this old space junk.
