A TIE fighter crashed in Dunes, a very hot storm trooper and a very pleased Simon Pegg: a closer look at how Abu Dhabi plays in the San Diego Comic-Con behind-the-scenes footage from Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The clip opens with a wide shot of a clapper board against the backdrop of the Abu Dhabi desert. The latest trailer also opened with shots in Abu Dhabi, and it’s beginning to look like the vast sandy expanse is set to be one of the big new stars of the latest instalment.
We’ve already seen a crashed Imperial Star Destroyer in the sand in the trailer, and now it looks like there’s a TIE fighter crashed somewhere in the dunes too. From what we see in the clip, this appears to be a scale model, but that shouldn’t stop fan boys heading out towards Liwa to see if they can pick up any remnants from the crash site.
The new Storm Trooper uniforms have been exciting fans for a while now, since the first images were leaked. John Boyega took time out at the panel session to sarcastically offer his gratitude to director Abrams: “I’d just like to thank JJ Abrams for filming in Abu Dhabi in the desert and making me wear a storm trooper outfit,” the British actor joked.
JJ Abrams addresses the crew in the Abu Dhabi desert on day one of the shoot. The goose bumps are tangible as this seminal new movie finally starts to roll.
Meanwhile, back at the movie’s Pinewood HQ, prop builders work on building an X-Wing. Abrams has been keen to use real props and sets in the new movie, putting the unpopular green screen techniques of the prequel trilogy to rest and returning to the feel of the original movies.
It was also revealed during the panel that, as persistent rumours have suggested, Simon Pegg will play a part in the new film. Although that is confirmed by the latest footage of a costume-wearing Pegg, all know so far is that he will play “a creature”. The celebrity Star Wars fan is clearly pleased with his latest role, however. Pegg says in the clip: “My whole life has led to this moment. I’m in heaven.”
