As the glorious fanfare of Rogue One, the first Star Wars spin off film, fades into the blackness of space we are beginning to see signs that Episode VIII of the Skywalker Saga is emerging from the ether. Only a few weeks ago director Rian Johnson and Lucasfilm’s Kathleen Kennedy announced that the new Star Wars film would be titled: The Last Jedi. And there was much rejoicing (and sudden, furious speculation).

We are still no closer to a first trailer, rumoured to be hitting on the 14th of April at the Star Wars Celebration event held in Orlando. But today we have a number of images from the set, and…erm…the toy packaging, which show off a few familiar faces. This is our best look yet at the future of Star Wars, so eyes down.

Star Wars The Last Jedi PosterAs you will see from the banner image above Rian Johnson took to Twitter yesterday to announce his participation in Florida.

What we have there is a first look at the ever-so slightly modified version of the Imperial Stormtrooper. In case you’re wondering – it’s the mouth and extended robot sideburns – they’ve been thinned out to make them more menacing. Or easier to clean. I don’t know, but it’s a fun look at a new twist on an iconic design.

Then, just minutes ago, Force Friday II was announced for September the 1st of this year. If you’re a little perplexed at the corralling of an entire day for a massive toy plunder then – where were you in 2015 for the first Force Friday? It was a consumerist orgy of unboxing, interviews with buyers delirious with excitement and… it was pretty exhausting.

However this new Force Friday announcement has given us the chance to see the updated versions of our new heroes from The Force Awakens – albeit on some toy packaging. Oscar Isaac’s Poe is looking determined in a helmet, Daisy Ridley finally wields her lightsaber in a promotional shot, and John Boyega’s Finn seems to have woken up from his Kylo Ren-inspired coma.

Here are the new pictures, only another two months until (probably) the first proper trailer…

Star Wars: The Last Jedi will open across the world on the 15th of December.

 

Star Wars The Last Jedi Image Gallery

The Last Jedi First Look force fridayThe Last Jedi First Look The Last Jedi Stormtroopers