‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Character Guide, A List Of Who’s Who

As December 18 approaches, some are asking, “Who are the Star Wars: The Force Awakens characters?” Never fear, all the character information you need to know before you head out to the theater in two months is right here.

In a related report, the Inquisitr shared the final Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer, presented during the Monday Night Football telecast. New and old characters came together to give the film a throwback feel of the massively popular Star Wars original trilogy, which introduced fans to Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), and the most famous Jedi, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).

Director J.J. Abrams, as did creator George Lucas, carefully selected the cast of Star Wars: The Force Awakens characters that would bring to life this next trilogy for a new generation of fans. Let’s take a look at the who’s who list.

REY (DAISY RIDLEY)

Lucasfilm President said Rey is an “extremely significant” Star Wars: The Force Awakens character and the amount of screen time Ridley gets in all the trailers are confirmation of that statement. Rey is a scavenger, who lives in the desert-like planet Jakku and not much is known about her history other than speculation that she may be the daughter of Han and Leia. Her last name has been kept secret by Abrams in order to protect her true identity. She is a member of The Resistance and is believed to be a fierce fighter against The First Order.

FINN (JOHN BOYEGA)

As was his co-star Daisy Ridley, John Boyega was a relative unknown until he was cast as a Star Wars: The Force Awakens character. Additionally, Finn — similarly to Rey — has a mysterious last name Abrams hasn’t shared. For obvious reasons, most people believe he is in some form related to Han Solo’s buddy, Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), but that, again, is just speculation at this time. Boyega described his character as a renegade First Order Strormtrooper, being chased for defecting (this is conjecture at this point), who meets up with Rey in Jakku and both their lives are changed forever.

POE DAMERON (OSCAR ISAAC)

One of the most mysterious Star Wars: The Force Awakens characters so far, we don’t know much about Poe Dameron other than he’s “the best ‘freaking’ pilot in the Galaxy” as described by Isaac himself at the Star Wars celebration. We know very little about Poe at this point other than he is an X-wing fighter, but we don’t know who his parents are or why he is a member of The Resistance. According to Screen Rant, one of the toys released in Disney’s promotional campaign indicates Poe Dameron is the team leader of the deadly T-70 X-wing fighters known as the Black Squadron and his callsign will be “Black Leader.”

KYLO REN (ADAM DRIVER)

Kylo Ren is one of the Star Wars: The Force Awakens villains, and so far he seems to resemble the legendary Darth Vader. Much speculation has surrounded Driver’s character and the belief was that he was a Sith. However, Abrams denied these rumors saying Kylo Ren is a warrior following orders from the powerful Dark Side member, Supreme Leader Snoke. There is much speculation as to his origins and in the final trailer Kylo Ren states he wants to finish what Darth Vader started. Some speculate he could be a son of Han and Leia who has turned to the Dark Side, similarly to Vader himself.

CAPTAIN PHASMA (GWENDOLINE CHRISTIE)

Another one of the villains, Captain Phasma is one of the most ruthless leaders in The First Order and is in charge of the new Stormtroopers who are fighting The Resistance. Not much is known about Christie’s character other than she’s a tough woman in armor and she wants to get Finn back. Some rumors also describe the Star Wars: The Force Awakens character as a Jedi hunter.

GENERAL HUX (DOMHNALL GLEESON)

Another one of the mysterious new Star Wars: The Force Awakens characters, General Hux is still shrouded in a veil of secrecy and we don’t know much about him. Fans met Hux briefly in the first full-length trailer and we think he is in charge of the ominous Starkiller base. He could work behind the scenes to make life miserable for The Resistance, much like Emperor Palpatine did in the original trilogy.

HAN SOLO (HARRISON FORD)

One of the original Star Wars characters, Han Solo, is back after 30 years and fans are super excited to see him. The biggest ovation during the presentation of the first full-length trailer at the Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim was heard when Harrison Ford appeared on-screen saying, “Chewie, we’re back.” As we have gotten more information and new footage, we have seen Han Solo interacting with Rey and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) in Jakku. This has fueled the rumors that Rey is his daughter. In the final trailer we also saw him with his love, Leia, in a tender moment that suggests some tragedy befalls the couple.

LEIA ORGANA (CARRIE FISHER)

Not much is known about Leia, one of Star Wars’ original characters. Carrie Fisher returns to reprise the role that propelled her career into stardom almost 40-years-ago. So far we have heard her voice in The Force Awakens trailer talking to someone — who most assume is Rey — asking, “Who are you?” and later on asking that person to embrace The Force. In the Extended Universe, Leia marries Han and they have three children, twins Jaina and Jacen, and son Anakin, whom many believe could be Kylo Ren, but that’s just speculation.

LUKE SKYWALKER (MARK HAMILL)

J.J. Abrams has done a great job keeping Luke Skywalker away from eager Star Wars: The Force Awakens fans and not much is known about what he’s been up to for the past 30 years. After becoming the famous Jedi who defeated The Alliance in the Star Wars original trilogy, Luke fades into the sunset and many believe he is living a secluded life, much like his mentor, Obi Wan Kenobi (Alec Guiness) did. These rumors have been based on information, previously reported by the Inquisitr that Hamill was spotted filming on the remote Irish island, Michael Skellig. His role in The Force Awakens is unknown, but many believe the surfacing of The First Order forces him out of retirement.

Aside from the main Star Wars: The Force Awakens characters, we will see fan favorites like R2-D2 (Kenny Baker), C3PO (Anthony Daniels), and maybe even Darth Vader himself. The final The Force Awakens trailer hinted yet again that the villain is back in some shape or form.

Which is the Star Wars: The Force Awakens character you’re most excited about?

[Image via Lucasfilm]