The wait is almost over. In just a few days, moviegoers across the globe will finally get to see the hotly-anticipated Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, and early reactions out of the world premiere indicate that the old franchise magic is back. It would appear that Episode VII has delivered on the copious amounts of hype to bring the saga back in a big way.
If that’s the case, Star Wars fever is only going to get more intense in the coming weeks. Fortunately, Disney will continue to roll out new merchandise once the film reaches theaters, including the Disney Infinity 3.0 Force Awakens play set, which is marketed as the only game that allows players to experience characters and stories from the new movie. Ahead of its release, Disney has unveiled a poster to promote the game.
The one-sheet is similar to the theatrical posters that were part of the last wave of marketing, showcasing several of the principal characters from Episode VII. Playable characters Rey and Finn are front and center, while supporting players such as BB-8, Poe Dameron, Han Solo, and Chewbacca are also featured. Kylo Ren is the big threat that looms over everything, while the First Order’s Starkiller base lingers in the background:
Disney’s description for the Force Awakens play set was the closest fans got to an official synopsis for the film, teasing that players travel “alongside new heroes and old friends in search of a much-needed ally,” suggesting that the crux of the narrative will involve the protagonists searching for AWOL Jedi Master Luke Skywalker in an effort to bring him back into the fold. Star Wars 7 director J.J. Abrams has admitted Luke’s absence from the promotional campaign is “no accident” and he plays a key role in the story. There aren’t many other characters who fit the bill of a “much-needed ally” than Luke.
There’s always the chance that the game’s synopsis is merely an elaboration to sell more units, but trailers for it have recreated scenes and moments from the various Force Awakens previews. It would appear that the Infinity play set is an adaptation of the film, which would explain why Disney has chosen to not release it until December 18, 2015. The studio does not want spoilers getting out now, particularly when it’s so soon to the movie’s theatrical debut.
If audiences respond to Episode VII as enthusiastically as critics have, then the Mouse House will have another hit on their hands with the Force Awakens Infinity 3.0 set. Fans will be eager to bring the film home with them, and getting a chance to relive the experience and excitement through the game will have mass appeal - especially if this doubles as the one and only official Force Awakens game. Disney Infinity boasts that they offer the “most comprehensive Star Wars game experience,” and based on the advertising for the Star Wars 7 set, they live up to that claim.
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Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens hits theaters on December 18th, 2015 (December 17th in the U.K.), followed by Rogue One: A Star Wars Story on December 16th, 2016, Star Wars: Episode VIII on May 26th, 2017, and the Han Solo Star Wars Anthology film on May 25th, 2018. Star Wars: Episode IX is expected to reach theaters in 2019, followed by the third Star Wars Anthology film in 2020.
Source: Disney Interactive/Lucasfilm
