Star Wars: The Force Awakens - 10 Things You Need To Know

8. How J.J. Abrams Is Paying Homage To The Past

J.J. Abrams' Star Trek movies were pretty heavy on CGI, but both looked great nonetheless. However, that special effects/green screen heavy approach did the Star Wars prequels absolutely no favours, and the filmmaker has decided to go back to basics with Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The behind-the-scenes featurette shown at Comic-Con revealed that Abrams is putting a massive emphasis on practical effects, with almost all of the aliens which will be featured in the movie clearly brought to life with practical costumes rather than unconvincing Jar Jar Binks style CGI. Of course, with at least a few actors playing motion capture creations, the director hasn't completely abandoned technology for this movie! This isn't the only way Abrams is looking to the past for inspiration. Ralph McQuarrie's original concept art for Star Wars has inspired the looks of many of the locations and vehicles which will feature in The Force Awakens. While this movie may be set decades after the events of Return of the Jedi, Abrams has thankfully shied away from the glossy and shiny spaceships Lucas decided to utilise in the prequels. Oh, and in one very cool nod to the past, The First Order's base will be named "Starkiller"; a reference to Luke Skywalker's original name in earlier drafts of A New Hope's screenplay.