Fans will finally be able to enjoy the box office blockbusterStar Wars: The Force Awakensfrom the comfort of their own homes when it arrives on Digital HD tomorrow, ahead of theBlu-ray and DVDrelease on April 5. Over the past few weeks, we’ve shown you a number of behind-the-scenes previews with new footage, and today is no different, asYahoo! Moviesdebuts a video showcasingDaisy RidleyandJohn Boyega’s lightsaber training. The stars reveal that they trained for three months before filming these iconic scenes.
The footage withJohn Boyegashows his training for the now-iconic scene with the Stormtrooper FN-2199, also known asTR-8R. This scene took place during the battle atMaz Kanata’s (Lupita Nyong’o) castle, with TR-8R becoming a fan favorite due to this on-screen moment, and his riot baton weapon that can block lightsaber attacks. Back in January, a new comic book titledBefore the Awakeningshed some light on FN-2199’s origins, revealing that Finn and FN-2199 were part of the same four-man fire team, before Finn escaped theFirst Order.
We also get behind-the-scenes footage of Finn and Rey’s epic lightsaber duel with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) on the Starkiller Base.John Boyegarevealed that while they were filming that scene, he felt the “extra weight of the lightsaber,” becauseAdam Driverwas so intense during this sequence. This video comes just one day after another preview debuted, showcasingJohn Boyegaentering the Millennium Falcon for the first time.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens saw the eagerly anticipated reteaming of originalStar WarsstarsHarrison Ford,Carrie FisherandMark Hamill, along withAnthony Daniels, the only actor to have been in all sevenStar Warsfilms, andPeter Mayhew. The returning cast was joined by newcomerDaisy Ridley, who beat out fierce competition to take the principal role of Rey; BAFTA Rising Star Award winnerJohn Boyega(Attack the Block, Imperial Dreams) as reluctant stormtrooper Finn; Emmy nomineeAdam Driver(Lincoln,Girls) as the villainous Kylo Ren, and Golden Globe winnerOscar Isaac(Inside Llewyn Davis,The Bourne Legacy) as Resistance pilot Poe Dameron.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens was directed byJ.J. Abramsand written byLawrence Kasdan&J.J. AbramsandMichael Arndt. Lucasfilm president and eight-time Academy Award nomineeKathleen KennedyandJ.J. Abrams, along with his longtime producing partner Bryan Burk, are the film’s producers. Having established a musical legacy with his iconic scores for the previous six films in theStar WarsSaga, acclaimed composerJohn Williamsreturned to score Star Wars: The Force Awakens, ultimately garnering his 50thOscarnomination for it. Take a look at the latest preview for the Star Wars: The Force Awakens Digital HD, Blu-ray and DVD release, and stay tuned for even more footage.
