Star Wars: The Force Awakensis in theaters right now, obliterating every box office record. And repeat viewings by fans who want to continue their Star Wars journey throughout the weekend are partially responsible for its mammoth haul. The more times you see the movie, the more likely you are to recognize a new Easter Egg or spot a costumed celebrity cameo. We have an entire list of these Easter eggs and cameos for you right here, so you’re able to better identify them the next time you step into this galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars: The Force Awakenshad its world premiere in Hollywood, California this past Monday, which was the first time this highly-anticipated film was screened for fans and critics alike. And right away, those in attendance noticed quite a few cool hidden references. And it was the first time that the voice of BB-8 was revealed. We also learned thatDaniel Craigdoes have a cameo as a Stormtrooper.
Star Wars: The Force Awakensintroduces three new heroes into theStar Warsuniverse,John Boyega’s Finn,Daisy Ridley’s Rey andOscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron, along withAdam Driver’s villainous Kylo Ren.Mark Hamill(Luke Skywalker),Harrison Ford(Han Solo) andCarrie Fisher(Leia Organa) are also reprising their iconic roles from the original trilogy. TheStar Wars: The Force Awakenssupporting cast includesDomhnall Gleesonas General Hux,Lupita Nyong’oas Maz Kanata,Gwendoline Christieas Captain Phasma,Andy Serkisas Supreme Leader Snoke andMax von Sydowas Lor San Tekka.
Star Wars: The Force Awakensmarks the firstStar Warsmovie thatGeorge Lucasis not involved in. The franchise creator was expected to serve as some sort of consultant onStar Wars: The Force Awakens, and the sequels that will follow, but he revealed in several interviews that Disney wasn’t interested in his ideas, although he revealed earlier this month that he “really liked” the movie. Still, even withoutGeorge Lucasat the helm, the franchise is in very good hands, with producerKathleen KennedyandStar Wars: The Force AwakensdirectorJ.J. Abrams, who will serve as producer on the several follow-ups coming in the next few years.
Star Wars: The Force Awakenscontinues to obliteratebox office recordsas it moves into its second full day of release this Saturday. The long-awaited sequel is playing in 4,134 domestic theaters, where it has pulled in an astounding estimated $120.5 million during its Friday debut. This includes $57 million from Thursday preview screenings. This makesThe Force Awakensthe biggest single day opener of all time. And it is now the first film to ever break the $100 million mark in a single day. The previous one-day and opening day records were set way back in 2011 byHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2. Industry insiders believe thatStar Wars: The Force Awakenswill managed to earn at least $220 million by the time Monday rolls around. And that will break the previous opening weekend record held byJurassic World, which pulled in $208.8 million this past June. Here are an assorted mix of Easter Eggs and Cameos that you are likely to spot in the movie.
15[1] Rey’s X-Wing Helmet
Daisy Ridley’s Rey was stranded on the desert planet of Jakku as a small child. Though we don’t yet know by whom. She clearly lives in the aftermath of a great battle that took place on this scorched landscape, making her home inside a fallen At-At. She scours crashed Star Destroyers, looking for parts she can sell for food. And she has in her possession an old X-Wing fighter pilot helmet like the ones the Rebel Alliance used to wear. It is an antique, but it’s impossible to say who this helmet belonged to. The alien writing on the helmet has been transcribed in the days since the movie arrived. And it says ‘Rhae’. Is this the true meaning of an Easter egg for fans? Or was this helmet given to her by someone in the Alliance before she became stranded on Jakku? As she’s left the helmet behind on her quest to find the missing Luke Skywalker, this is one mystery that may never be solved.
14[2] Simon Pegg is Unkar Plutt
It was revealed at Comic-Con this past July thatSimon Pegghas a cameo inStar Wars: The Force Awakens. But who is thisStar Trekstar playing? He actually has quite an important role, as far as celebrity cameos go. He stars as Unkar Plutt, the junk dealer who tries to buy BB-8 from Rey. He’s also the new owner of the Millennium Falcon when we’re first reintroduced to the galaxy’s fastest ship. When Rey refuses to hand over the droid, it is Unkar who alerts the First Order to her presence.
13[3] The Voice Behind BB-8
One of the big casting secrets behindStar Wars: The Force Awakensis that someone actually helped voice the new ball droidBB-8. While most assumed that BB-8 was speaking in various beeps and tones produced by a computer, that is not true. FormerSaturday Night Livecast member and actorBill Haderhelped created the persona behind this scene stealer. And he had a partner inBen Schwartz, best known for his recurring role as Jean Ralphio onParks and Recreation.
BothBen SchwartzandBill Haderare credited as ‘BB-8 Voice Consultant’ inStar Wars: The Force Awakens.Bill Haderexplained exactly what voice consultant means, confirming that he helped provide the cadence and emotion heard emitting out of the little lost robot.
“[It was] J.J. f–king around with this sound effects app on his iPad that was attached to a talk box operated by me. It looked ridiculous but it made BB-8’s voice. At first I tried doing a voice, but we all agreed it sounded too human.”
The actor spoke actual lines of dialogue, all of which were known by his co-stars, especiallyDaisy Ridley’sReyandOscar Isaac’sPoe Dameron, who are both fluent inAtro-Mech droidspeak. This isn’t the first time thatBill Haderhas done voice over work forBad Robot, the production studio behindStar Wars: The Force Awakens. He also worked with them onStar Trek Into Darkness. In that sequel, he provided the computer voice of the USS Vengeance starship. He also did voice work forScott Pilgrim Vs. the World. He has also played several characters over the years onSouth Park, where he also works on the writing staff.Ben Schwartzhad this to say on social media about his role in helpingBill Haderbring the droid to life.
“You’re looking at a bonafide BB8 voice over consultant. And nothing makes me happier. This movie is amazing. Quite possibly the hardest and coolest secret I’ve ever had to keep. Seeing my name in the credits of a Star Wars film made me smile so wide it almost tore my face. J.J. did this franchise so proud. Can’t wait for everyone to see!!! #StarWars.”
Ben SchwartzandBill Haderaren’t the only secret stars hiding out in that galaxy far, far away.
12[4] Jedi Training Sphere
Surely you remember the floating orb that Luke Skywalker first used as part of his Jedi lightsaber training in the original 1977 Star Wars. Obi-Wan’s young apprentice was taking a bigger step into a larger world, discovering the force first hand while on the Millennium Falcon, heading towards Alderaan. This zap-happy ball makes a return midway through the movie while Finn is digging through some discarded junk on the iconic Falcon. Look for the Marksman-H combat remote in his hand. The scene goes by quickly.
11[5] Famous Stormtroopers
Back in May, a new rumor surfaced regarding the ultra-secretiveStar Wars: The Force Awakens, which revealed that 007 himself,Spectrestar Daniel Craig, has a cameo in the highly-anticipated movie. The news came straight from another actor,Simon Pegg, who himself was long rumored to have a role inStar Wars: The Force Awakens, which was ultimately confirmed in the behind-the-scenes video released at Comic Con this summer.Simon Peggrevealed thatDaniel Craigis playing a Stormtrooper, whichEntertainment Weeklyhas confirmed.
One of the site’s sources claims that Daniel Craig took on the role for “s–ts and grins,” even though he vehemently denied the rumor. It does make sense, though since bothSpectreandStar Wars: The Force Awakenswere shooting at Pinewood Studios in London at the same time. The site reports that Daniel Craig’sStormtrooperis on the receiving end of a “Jedi mind trick,” the first one ever attempted by Rey (Daisy Ridley).
At an unidentified point in the movie, Rey is captured, leading her to tell Daniel Craig’s Stormtrooper, “You will remove these restraints and leave this cell with the door open.” The scene is an obvious nod to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s “These aren’t the droids you’re looking for” line inStar Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, although it isn’t as successful. Daniel Craig’s character responds, “I’ll tighten those restraints, scavenger scum.” The site adds that most fans won’t be able to recognize Daniel Craig’s voice in this scene.
J.J. Abramsalso gave two of his musical friends roles as Stormtroopers in the movie. Veteran Alias and Lost composer Michael Giacchino may have not contributed the score this time around, but he did get to play Stormtrooper FN-3181. And longtime Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich appears as Stormtrooper FN-9330.
10[6] J.J. Sings Vocals on 2 Songs Created for the Movie
J.J. Abramsisn’t only being praised for his directing job onStar Wars: The Force Awakens. It seems he also contributed to the movie’s soundtrack. We previously learned that Hamilton composer and actorLin-Manuel Mirandawrote and composed the music for the Cantina scene in the movie, which takes place at Maz Kanata’s castle. But he also wrote a second song for the blockbuster sequel. The two songs are titled ‘Jabba Flow’ and ‘Dobra Doompa’. They are credited to the band Shag Kava. The group consists of two men and a few unknown musicians. On vocals areLin-Manuel MirandaandJ.J. Abrams. The lyrics of these two songs are in Huttese. If you listen closely, you might also hear a little bit of a Muppets flavor locked into the music.
9[7] The meaning of numbers
Finn gets his name from his Stormtrooper call sign, which is FN-2187. All true Star Wars fans know that in the 1977 original, Princess Leia was held in the Death Star’s detention block AA-23. And she was stuck inside cell 2187! This isn’t just a nod to A New Hope. The number was also the title of an abstract 1963 short film titled 21-87, by director Arthur Lipsett. It was a striking piece of cinema that George Lucas found quite inspirational.
8[8] The Real Poe Dameron
InStar Wars: The Force Awakens,Oscar Isaacplays the hotshot X-Wing pilot Poe Dameron. If you’re wondering where the name comes from, it actually stems from two different sources. The first name comes fromJ.J. Abrams' daughter, who had a beloved stuffed Polar Bear that she called ‘Po’ for short. The last name is courtesy of the director’s tireless assistant Morgan Dameron. Morgan actually shows up in the movie for a cameo. She plays a Resistance office who reacts with shock to the thrilling Starkiller Base assault. And guess what her name is, serving as inspiration for Poe? Commodore Meta. Will we see a Meta action figure? Knowing Disney’s want and need to squeeze dollars out of every aspect of the movie, we think yes.
7[9] Where is Warwick?
Warwick Davismade his film acting debut in the 1983 sequelStar Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jediplaying the beloved and now iconic Ewok Wicket W. Warwick. He has since gone onto be one of the few original actors to appear in the prequel trilogy. He shows up inStar Wars: The Force Awakensas a background character named Wollivan. He is a cantina-dweller in Maz Kanata’s castle. You have to look hard, but he’s the guy with the short, pink snout and the puckered eyes. We don’t yet have an official photo of the little guy.
Warwick Davisisn’t the only creature cameo to find hiding in Maz’s Castle. There are all kinds of weird creatures hunkered down in this watering hole. Including30 Rockstar Judah Friedlander. He is simply credited as one of the bar patrons. Also enjoying a cold beverage during this portion of the movie is D.C. Barnes. You may remember that he won a walk-on role in the movie through the Force for Change inititive, with all the money going to charity. He is seen wearing a hooded black cloak at the gambling table, just behind Wollivan.
6[10] Maze Runner’s Newt Joins the Dark Side
Thomas Brodie-Sangster, who plays Newt in theThe Maze Runnerfranchise, gets a cool cameo inStar Wars: The Force Awakens. He is First Order Petty Officer Thanisson. You can see him during Finn and Poe’s big escape. He is the one who warns the leaders of The First Order that a TIE-Fighter is attempting to make an unsanctioned departure from the Star Destroyer. While his role inThe Maze Runneris quite a bit larger than the role he takes on in Star Wars, this might be the cooler gig.
