Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens

Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens

I have my tickets right in front of me - 00:01 on 17/12/15 - and I cannot wait!

Here are my thoughts so far, based on the trailers and reading the Journey to the Force Awakens books released so far:

The Galactic Civil war has raged since ROTJ - the battle of Jakku was supposed to be a decisive defeat by I suspect  splintered factions retreated to lick their wounds.  As the ship that crashed on Jakku, the Inflictor had a number of officers that served aboard the Executor - could someone have been entrusted with Anakin's lightsabre, which is then found years later in the wreckage by Rey (who then returns it to Leia)?  Out of the factions the First Order grows, presumably with backing from Seinar flight systems.  I assume this will be led by Supreme Leader Snoke, who recruits the Knights of Rey, who are presumably a cult of Vader given Kylo's possession of the mask, and who may well be descendants of the inquisitors from Rebels,

Meanwhile the New Republic has been declared and Princess Leia succeeding as Chancellor after Mon Mothma.  At some point we are assuming that the Republic fails or for some reason transitions in the Resistance, unless this is another faction which Leia is appointed General to lead against the First Order.  

Luke Skywalker has gone into hiding a la Obi Wan in order to protect the New Republic from what he perceives to be the dangers of the Force, possibly as he has lost an apprentice to the Dark Side (Kylo Ren?) - it is highly unlikely that Luke has fallen.  Luke does not appear in the Weapon of a Jedi, but is referred to with reverence and is obviously a legend of the Rebellion.

The inter-relationships between the characters will be key.  In Moving Target, Leia talks fondly about Poe Dameron - could he be related to her and Han (son?).  It is also possible that Rey is related to Leia, Han or Luke, as she talks about waiting for her family.  We assume Han and Leia are married and are shown embracing.

Finn is a deserter in whom the Force awakens and shows him the evil of the First Order, and prompts him to steal a TIE, which is shot down and crashes on Jakku, where he meets Rey.  They are both rescued by Han and Chewie in the Falcon or possibly they steal it as Han has lost it again.

Threepio has a red arm.  I don't know why, but presumably its a nod to his silver leg in episode IV.  This is supposed to be explained at some point.

And then there is a big death star type weapon on the poster - presumably Star Killer base, which, one would assume, kills stars a la the Sun Crusher, only in a Death Star shell.

You must admit, it does sound quite a lot like A New Hope so far...

See for yourself:

Teaser 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOVFvcNfvE

Teaser 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCc2v7izk8w

Full Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbxmsDFVnE

International Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBiht2zj9Qw

TV spot 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RU-s_HAEwsg

TV spot 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6HN9soeGa8

TV spot 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJYpdpa-z6I

TV spot 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKamR_Td88c