Star Wars 7 Spoilers, Trailer: The Force Awakens Cast, Plot, Release Date

Nov 24, 2015 01:22 PM EST

The Star Wars franchise has always been a favorite hit from such a loyal following since the debut of the first franchise in 1977. As the latest installment of the widely loved series makes its way to the box office, fans of the stories and the characters could not help but be thrilled for the next chapter. Moreover, the return of three iconic characters, Hans Solo (Harrison Ford), Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), added to the excitement of the public.

"Oh my, God, she got so much older," described Fisher, referring to the age of her character, Princess Leia, in the Star Wars: The Force Awakens, according to Time. The actress went on to state, "I tried to stop her, but apparently that includes death, so that didn't seem like a good solution. Along with aging comes life experience so in every way that is consistent with even being human, Leia has changed."

Meanwhile, Ford described his character as the typical cynic who questions everything. He shared via Entertainment Weekly, "He (Hans Solo) was always the cynical member of the original characters. While we were invited to engage with the questions of some pretty arcane mysteries - the Force and the mythology that surrounds it - he was the guy who said, 'What? Huh? Come on.'" Ford went on to say, "It's what made the interplay between the characters work, he says. "There was a callow youth, a beautiful princess, a wise old - warrior, and there was a smart-ass."

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is set to roughly 30 years following The Return of the Jedi. According to the trailers, the upcoming film will feature a villainous character named Kylo Ren. This character is seen battling it out with Finn (John Boyega) using a homemade lightsaber. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is also expected to showcase once again the stormtroopers, TIE fighters, and the X-Wing fighters. The Millennium Falcon is anticipated to be featured as well.

Although no official explanation has been provided, fans of the franchise believe that the Empire from the Return of the Jedi period will be succeeded by an organization called First Order. Apart from the said group, another called the Resistance will be featured. The battles are said to occur in a place called Jakku, described as a "remote desert planet."

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is slated to hit the theaters on December 18, 2015. According to Fortune, the said film is anticipated to having the biggest-ever ticket sales for an opening weekend - a feat highly likely to be achieved. Advanced ticket sales for Star Wars: The Force Awakens has already reached $50 million in the past week. Hence, it will not be surprising for the film to become one of the highest-grossing movies ever made.