Is J. J. Abrams Apologizing For Star Wars: The Force Awakens Already?

To draw back to the almost desperate Hamill quote – “everything’s change, but nothing’s changed” – the delicate precipice on which this new Star Wars movie stands becomes abundantly clear. “That’s the way you want it to be,” continues Luke Skywalker’s aging actor, like he’s been traipsed out in front of the cameras to tell the audience that this is, in fact, the movie Star Wars fans have been waiting for, whether they know it or not. Flamethrower-wielding Stormtroopers, classic, lifelike alien masks or even fully built Millennium Falcons aside, one week after first seeing the new trailer it was unfortunately this quote and the change it brings to the tone of the preview that has stuck with me. And that is not a good thing.

Hamill is not, it should be noted, the only offender in this. It’s just that his quote highlights the unfortunate tone better than any of the others. Simon Pegg, for example does offer a heartwarming explanation of how much the franchise means to him and how excited he is to be a part of its future. Taken at face value the sentiment is lovely, and would be echoed by many a Star Wars fan. In line with the flip-side of this coin, however, it feels like another attempt to reassure any worrying fans that their precious series truly is in the right hands.

Ultimately and, I should hope, obviously, I pray that my fears are wrong about the movie; it wouldn’t be the first time, anyway. But the more I sit down to re-watch this footage and try to convince myself that the apologies and the hindsight explanations are not meant to be seen as such, the more I can’t shake that pessimistic feeling there could be a few more Star Wars mistakes heading our way…

We want to hear your thoughts, though. What do you think of this latest trailer? Is the footage itself keeping you keen for the film’s release later this year? If so, are my concerns and fears for the movie sounding as tenuous and unfounded as Qui Gon Jinn’s explanation of the force? Join the discussion in the comments below. If nothing else, it may just make the remaining five month wait for the film’s release a tad easier for my brain to cope with.

Help me, optimistic Star Wars fans; you’re my only hope!