Director Rian Johnson and the cast of “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” marched on stage to present a special behind-the-scenes preview of the next chapter of the “Star Wars” saga at Disney’s D23 fan event on Saturday.
Joining Johnson were “The Force Awakens” vets Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Gwendoline Christie, along with franchise newcomers Laura Dern, Benicio Del Toro, and Kelly Tran.
The group presented production photos from the film, including Boyega spending time with BB-8 before his big showdown with Christie’s Captain Phasma.
Boyega jokingly entered a boxer stare down with Christie, though when you try to stare down the woman who plays Brienne of Tarth, you’re likely to look outmatched.
Then the panel was joined by Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill. Johnson praised Hamill and called working with the famed Jedi “magical.” He noted that in Hamill’s case the adage “never meet your heroes; they will only disappoint you” didn’t apply.
Together, Johnson and Hamill presented a behind-the-scenes montage in which the cast praised Johnson’s script, with Hamill calling it a “game-changer” that contained plot twists that not even he expected.
The footage ends on a poignant note with the late Carrie Fisher remarking that this film is “about family, and that’s what makes it so powerful.” Fisher, who reprises her role as Princess Leia, died last December after the main production had wrapped.
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” lands in theaters December 15. Watch the clip above.