The far-flung casino city of Canto Bight welcomes Finn (John Boyega) and Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) into its midst in today’s all-new still for Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Coming to us by way of Empire, which has anointed The Last Jedi cover star of its soon-to-be-released October issue, the embedded action shot places our two heroes in the company of some truly weird and wonderful creatures – remember, writer-director Rian Johnson has deemed Canto Bight to be a flashy “playground for rich assholes“.
Together, Rose and Finn have embarked on a “dark, vital mission,” which is seemingly of great importance to the Resistance. Still licking its wounds after the battle for Starkiller Base, Star Wars: The Last Jedi will introduce us to a “vulnerable” splinter group, as they begin to mount an assault on the First Order and, in particular, Supreme Leader Snoke. When quizzed about the design and overall aesthetic of Canto Bight, though, Rian Johnson told Empire:
I wanted a new environment that was like dunking your head in a cool bath of water, right in the middle of movie. Apart from the prequels, all the touchstones that make something feel like Star Wars have to do with griminess and dirt. I wanted to do something completely different.
Still sporting Poe Dameron’s battle-worn jacket, it’s good to see Finn up and walking following his close brush with death in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Rose, on the other hand, is said to be the biggest new part of The Last Jedi – a fearless mechanic operating within the Resistance. And she doesn’t look all that pleased with her accomplice in today’s close-up.
The 100-day countdown has begun, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi is now so close we can almost hear that iconic hum emanating from Rey’s lightsaber. December 15th is the date for your diaries. In news relating to the Star Wars franchise, the so-far untitled Episode IX is now in need of a new director after Lucasfilm parted ways with Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World). The May 24th, 2019 release date remains intact…for now.
