STAR WARS: Breaking Down the Leaked Episode IX Poster

Threepio… With a Bowcaster?

As we mentioned yesterday, C-3PO appears on the leaked Episode IX poster wielding Chewbacca’s bowcaster and wearing the Wookiee’s bandolier. Now, I’m all for Threepio having a bigger role. But if it comes at the expense of Chewbacca, or for the sole purposes of comic relief, I’ll be sorely disappointed. Likewise, there is a goofy looking alien depicted over Finn’s shoulder. If this turns out to be Jar Jar 2.0, fans may very well walk away from the franchise.

Perhaps what’s most concerning about the leaked Episode IX poster isn’t what it shows, but what, or who, it doesn’t. Both of the Skywalker twins are decidedly absent. Though Luke will return, likely as a Force ghost, he’s nowhere to be seen. The same goes for Leia, who we know will feature in the film via previously unused footage. Granted, knowing that Luke is already gone, and Leia will assuredly perish during the events of Episode IX, their absence is perhaps not unexpected. But….

Where is R2-D2?

The plucky astromech droid has appeared in every single saga film, right from the very first scenes of Star Wars.  It’s often said that the entire Skywalker sage of films is told from R2’s perspective. If the film is supposed to tie all the films together, how can you not picture one of the franchise’s most important characters?

Perhaps we’ll get some more information at the Episode IX panel during next month’s Star Wars Celebration. Until then, stay tuned here to That Hashtag Show for all your Star Wars news as it happens.