The Hidden Messages in The Force Awakens Trailers

“Chewie, we’re home.” — Han Solo

Between November/2014 and December/2015, Star Wars fans were hit hard with teasers, trailers and TV spots.

I say “hit hard” because different people were touched in different ways by the promotional material. They felt emotional, nostalgic. There is a reason behind that. There are hidden messages in these clips. Messages left for us, the fans.

I have gone through all the official material in the pre-The Force Awakens period to find these messages and, of course, add my own interpretation. For each person they mean something different.

I don’t know which of them were on purpose, which were pure coincidence or will of the Force. I tend to give more weight to the lines that were not in the movie at all. It makes me believe that they were included on purpose, to deliver these specific messages.

Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens

Let’s start by taking a step back to the movie title announcement. When Lucasfilm originally announced “The Force Awakens” as the title for Episode VII, the double-meaning was already there.

The Force was dormant after all. The last movie was in 2005 and, according to many fans, the last movie was in 1983.

Even though we had the books and comics from the Expanded Universe, and the Clone Wars cartoons, Star Wars was past its peak. With the title, Lucasfilm actually announces:

“The Force Awakens….Star Wars awakens. You, fan, were you asleep? Wake up! Star Wars is back!”

There will be a Star Wars movie every year now. If that is not an awakening, I don’t know what is.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Official Teaser

“There’s been an awakening. Have you felt it? The Dark Side…and the Light.” — Supreme Leader Snoke

This is a continuation of the title announcement. What are the additional layers?

“Have you felt it?” is a question for us, fans. We felt it. This first teaser trailer had 55 million views in the first 24 hours. Not only that, but we were watching the first scenes of this new era. Hearts were racing, we felt butterflies in our stomachs. We felt it!

“The Dark Side…and the Light.” — Supreme Leader Snoke

This is a call, to ALL fans. The Dark and the Light. Disney clearly wants to bring back the old fans who felt saddened, betrayed by the Prequel Trilogy.

Disney halted the Clone Wars and replaced it by Star Wars Rebels, in the Original Trilogy Era. Books, comics and other new products of this new wave avoided as much as possible getting close to the Clone Wars era.

After watching The Force Awakens, a re-hash of Episode IV, it is clear that “everything’s changed, but nothing’s changed.”

More on that later.

The Force Awakens Official Teaser #2

The Awakening continues. This second teaser trailer had 88 million views in the first 24 hours. It brings us two more messages.

“The Force is strong in my family. My father has it. I have it. My sister has it. You have that power too.” — Luke Skywalker

This line was not in the final movie, and it is a line from Return of the Jedi. What does it mean, if it is addressed to fans? We, the fans, have that power too. The Force is within us. The Force is our love for Star Wars. This common passion which results in great things such as the #ForceForDaniel, #ForceForChange, and the amazing charity work of the 501st legion. We have the power!

The second message is the most emotional of the whole campaign.

“Chewie, we’re home.” — Han Solo

This, again, is directed to the fans of the Original Trilogy, who were dormant. The whole campaign put a lot of emphasis on using more practical effects, shooting on film, on the return of all the original characters. The return of the Millennium Falcon, X-Wings, and Tie Fighters. We were back to the galaxy which we called home.

For some people, it is a return to home after 32 years. It is meeting old friends which we haven’t seen in 32 years.

The Force Awakens surely delivered the feeling of being home.

The Force Awakens TV Spot (Official)

“I have lived long enough to see the same eyes in different people. I see your eyes. I know your eyes.” — Maz Kanata

Maz’s voice-over is shown with the following on-screen message:

“Every generation has a story.”

We are different fans. We have different stories, different backgrounds, different “secret origins” of how and when we became Star Wars fans. However, even though we are from different generations, we have the same eyes. We have something in common. Our love for Star Wars.

I have been to a midnight screening of the movie, and to a session on the first night. What I saw after the movie ended: people smiling, shaking hands, hugging and congratulating each other.

There should be no schism among fans. The known prequel-haters versus prequel-lovers division does not make any sense. That is not why we love Star Wars. We have the same eyes! Star Wars fans, unite!

The Force Awakens Official Trailer

The Awakening can’t go unnoticed anymore. The trailer had 128 million views in the first 24 hours.

“There were stories about what happened…” — Rey

“It’s true. All of it.” — Han

There were stories. Stories of how Star Wars changed the world of cinema. How it changed what we call blockbusters. How it introduced the concept of massive merchandising. How it was a fable, a legend, and a myth that taught so many lessons to a whole generation and the next.

This is directed to the young ones. It’s true! Star Wars was and is all of that. It’s not just a myth from the past. Star Wars is alive! Come watch The Force Awakens and you will feel the Force that is Star Wars. It still is magical.

“The Force. It’s calling to you. Just let it in.” — Maz Kanata

This is directed towards the skeptical fans, who think Star Wars is dead, over. Those who feel the magic from the Original Trilogy will never be felt again.

The message is to take a leap of faith. The Force has awakened, the light and the dark. We’re home. All the stories are true, don’t you dare stop believing it. And The Force now is calling to you. Let go of that hard, cold heart of yours. Open up. Embrace The Force. Love Star Wars again!

The Force Awakens “Secret” TV Spot

“You’re sure you are up for this?” — Han Solo

“Hell, no!” — Finn

This came out closer to the release of the movie. Another question that could be directed to us, fans. Were we up for what was coming? The dawn of a new era? Hell, no. It is just the beginning of another generation and we still don’t know for sure the dimension that Star Wars is going to reach.

BONUS: The Force Awakens — Comic-Con 2015 Reel

This touching video was shown during the 2015 Comic-Con.

“You’ve been here, but you don’t know this story. Nothing’s changed, really. I mean, everything’s changed, but nothing’s changed. That’s the way we want it to be, really.” — Mark Hammil

My friends come to me when they want to complain about Star Wars. After seeing The Force Awakens, most of the issues people had with the movie was how similar it was to A New Hope. The answer is right there. Deep down, we want different, but we want the same, too. It’s fine, “we’re home”.

And, more messages on the importance, the beauty, and the meaning that Star Wars has in all of our lives. I close with the statements from our new friends, Daisy and John.

“It just means so much, to so many people…” — Daisy Ridley

“Star Wars is an important part of everyone’s history…” — John Boyega