“Saturday Night Live” had some fun with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” this weekend, bringing the franchise’s famous characters to life at least 30 years after “Return of the Jedi,” where the upcoming movie picks up. The “SNL” skit features the cast in their senior years, set to John Williams’s theme song.
Last month, a short trailer for the film was released, opening with an ominous voice that exclaims: “There has been an awakening. Have you felt it?”
While the official trailer doesn’t feature Han Solo, “SNL” includes him and others in its skit. Taran Killam plays Han Solo, Bobby Moynihan is Princess Leia, and “SNL” host James Franco takes on Luke Skywalker.
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The “SNL” skit opens with the words: “There is an alliance of heroes ... The new ... and the old.” The movie then cuts to a shot of Princess Leia from the back, followed by Han Solo talking about wanting an early-bird special in response to being asked about Luke Skywalker’s whereabouts. Luke, who uses a lightsaber walker, declares he has a thyroid issue like his father before him — and Chewy is in a cone collar typically worn by older or injured dogs and cats.
In November, the franchise gave the film its official title, revealing that it has been moving along in production and completed its principal photography.
The film, directed by J.J. Abrams, continues the series created by George Lucas, and is set 30 years after “Star Wars: Episode VI — The Return of the Jedi” (1983), according to IMDB. Cast members include Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fisher as Leia, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, and Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca. Williams is back to score the film, which is slated to hit theaters Dec. 18, 2015.