‘Star Wars 7’ teaser hints at return to roots of classical trilogy

Disney released earlier this week a teaser “Star Wars 7,” the latest and much anticipated installment in the Star Wars saga of movies now under the directorship of JJ Abrams.

The short teaser trailer of “Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens” makes clear references to the original trilogy – episodes IV through VI – depicting scenes with the iconic Millennium Falcon of mercenary Han Solo over what could be the desert dunes of the planet Tatooine, the birthplace of Anakin Skywalker, the Jedi knight who would later turn to the “dark side” and become Darth Vader.

Scenes with a series of X-Wings, the Rebel Alliance space fighter Luke Skywalker uses to the destroy the Death Star in “A New Hope,” also feature in the teaser as well as Imperial Tie fighters.

A dark, shadowy figure wielding a red light saber – the weapon of choice of both Sith lords and Jedi knights – states: “There has been an awakening. Have you felt it?”

“The Dark Side and the light,” he also says.

The scenes suggest the Empire is still a force to reckon with in the universe and is still in a struggle with the Rebel Alliance.

“Episode VI: Return of the Jedi” ends with the death of Darth Vader, supposedly marking the end to the Empire ruled by the tyrannical Emperor Palpatine, who had masterminded the fall of the Republic and with it the protector the Jedi Order in the saga’s prequels – Episodes I through III.