Abrams to tell new space tale in ‘The Force Awakens’

The latest “Star Wars,” which will hit theaters Dec. 17 in Korea, will introduce an entirely new story with fresh characters colliding and bonding emotionally with old characters like Han Solo and Luke Skywalker, who appeared in the original trilogy.

J.J. Abrams, the director of the new space saga, said “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is not just about the old meeting the new, but will serve as a “bridge” to tell a brand new generational space tale about good ― the light side ― versus evil ― the dark side.

“My approach in directing this movie was one of authenticity, and trying to make the world feel as real as possible,” said Abrams at a press conference at the Conrad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, on Wednesday.

“We had to go forward and backward in the universe George Lucas created, and use that DNA to create a new story. ... This is not a trip down memory lane, but a brand new adventure using a mix of genres.”

The filmmaker unveiled an eight-minute footage of an action sequence involving Han Solo’s spaceship Millennium Falcon but Walt Disney Co., owner of Lucasfilm ― the producer of the Star Wars original trilogy and prequels ― requested the media not to reveal this sequence in detail until next Wednesday, the day before the film hits theaters.

Abrams, who is known for directing “Star Trek” and “Mission: Impossible 3,” said the new “Star Wars” would give the older generation ― those in their 40s who grew up watching the original trilogy ― nostalgia, while the younger generation in their 20s will get a fresh experience.

“We got 20-something main characters who can relate to the younger generation, and the middle group in their 40s will feel a nostalgic appreciation for Star Wars,” Abrams said.

“For the older generation, we have Han Solo brilliantly played by Harrison Ford and Luke by Mark Hamill.”

The new characters include Rey played by Daisy Ridley, Sith Lord Kylo Ren by Adam Driver, and Finn by John Boyega. Details of their characters were kept secret, other than that Kylo Ren will be the leader of the dark side, and Finn, an Imperial Stormtrooper, switches sides to the Resistance.

Other new characters include BB8 droid that is expected to interact with C-3PO and R2-D2, Skywalker’s robots from the original trilogy.

“It was incredible fun to have original actors back, and see Harrison Ford get back in Han Solo wardrobe and back in that attitude. I can say the same about Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher,” the director said.

Ford reprises his famous Han Solo character, a smuggler-turned-Resistance fighter; Hamill as a Jedi Knight; and Fisher will be playing General Leia.

Daisy Ridley said she will be playing a young woman trying to make her way with no support, who will be very different from Leia or Padme in the prequels.

“Rey is not from royalty. But I am very excited to follow in the footsteps of Leia and Padme,” she told the media.

By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)