The Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer has been released!

Update: Everyone has been talking about the trailer endlessly since it debuted this morning. There’s so much to discuss! Here are a couple additional notes:

– The film’s official Twitter account has confirmed that the trailer’s score is new and by John Williams.
– The internet is debating whose voice is in the trailer. Some believe it’s either Benedict Cumberbatch or Adam Driver, but at least one site claims it is Andy Serkis.
– Update: Numerous reliable outlets are reporting that the voice is Andy Serkis, but we still don’t know anything about his role.
– There is a lense flare.

Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith was released in 2005, and that was the last time we saw any new Star Wars footage.

Until now.

The teaser trailer begins with a mysterious voice over that says, “There’s been an awakening. Have you felt it?”

It also gives us our first looks at the characters played by John Boyega and Daisy Ridley, the two new actors who will presumably become the leads of the franchise. Unfortunately we don’t get to find out what roles they’ll be playing, but this is, after all, a teaser.

One of the more interesting and sure to be controversial elements of the teaser is that new Sith lightsaber with the two lightsaber blades(?) coming out the sides. Until we know what its purpose is it will be hard to judge, but you can’t deny it looks pretty cool.

Though we don’t get to see them in this trailer, the fact that we’ll be seeing Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher back in their roles of Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, and Princess Leia is pretty incredible. These actors last played these roles in 1983 in Return of the Jedi, and they’re back. They’re actually back.

We also can’t stress how amazing it is to hear more Star Wars music by John Williams. His incredible scores have been the one consistently amazing element throughout the Star Wars saga, and we’re about to get more of his work. At age 82, it’s unclear how many more he will score. With the series now poised to outlast him, we’re certainly going to relish every last piece of work he gives us.

The title Star Wars: The Force Awakens was revealed at the beginning of November. Though pleasing everyone with its title was never going to be possible, reception of the title has been overwhelmingly positive.

The Star Wars: The Force Awakens cast includes new Star Wars members John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Max von Sydow, Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie, Christina Chong, Crystal Clarke, and Pip Andersen. Actors returning to the franchise include Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker.

What do you think of the ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ trailer?

The film hits theaters Christmas 2015 and is directed by J.J. Abrams.