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 Newcomer Daisy Ridley was sworn to secrecy for three months
that she had even been cast in the film. And with a week to go
before the world premiere on Dec. 14, some of the actors have
not yet seen "The Force Awakens."
"I was in scenes in which some of the characters I was working
with did not know who I was," Nyong'o, who it is now known plays
pirate Maz Kanata, told Reuters. "That's how secretive it was."
Aside from broad character outlines, details are being kept
tightly under wraps, prompting endless online speculation by
fans eager to see the saga's first film installment in a decade.
Walt Disney Co, which took over "Star Wars" with its 2012
purchase of Lucasfilm, scrapped the typical Hollywood practice
of screening the movie for reporters before they speak with the
cast. The stars revealed little in interviews, declining to
answer even basic questions.
Does Rey, the central character played by Ridley, ever pick up a
lightsaber? "We'll have to wait and see," Ridley said. Adam
Driver claimed he could not remember if his character, the Darth
Vader-like Kylo Ren, had his own theme song. (Director J.J.
Abrams later confirmed he did.)
Stars Oscar Isaac and Gwendoline Christie said they have not
seen the film yet.
Nyong'o clammed up when asked why her character appeared smaller
than diminutive droid R2-D2 in film posters. "I can't say
anything about my size," she said with a laugh, but perhaps
added a clue: "You know, posters are not really up to scale."
The cast and Abrams said they wanted to preserve the element of
surprise for filmgoers.
"I would like them to sit down, relax in their seat and just let
the story begin," said Harrison Ford, who returns as Han Solo.
"I'm not going to ruin it for them by talking about what
happens."
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Producer Kathleen Kennedy did divulge something fans will not see.
"Jar Jar is definitely not in the movie," Kennedy told reporters,
referring to the unpopular character from "The Phantom Menace."
What is known is that "Force Awakens" is set 30 years after "Return
of the Jedi." A stormtrooper named Finn (John Boyega) encounters Rey
and droid BB-8, and the three embark on a journey. Glimpses of them
on Rey's home planet, Jakku, have been seen in trailers released by
Disney.
Rey's last name is unknown, leading fans to guess she may be Luke
Skywalker's daughter. Or Han and Princess Leia's. All three classic
characters return, but Luke's role is unclear. He is absent from
"Force Awakens" posters and trailers, prompting theories that the
character dies or joins the dark side.
Why such mystery surrounding Luke? "Just 'cause," Ford said coyly.
According to Boyega, audiences will be glad they did not know more
in advance. "I don't want to spoil it for anyone," he said. "You'll
thank me later."
(This version of the story has been refiled to remove extraneous
word "embargoed" from headline)
(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by Jill Serjeant and Andrew
Hay)
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