[Warning: This post contains POSSIBLE SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Force Awakens]

-

J.J. Abrams' infamous mystery box has had some pretty big leaks of late, as new rumors pertaining to the plot of his Star Wars: The Force Awakens appear to pop up every other day. Whether it's speculated familial ties new characters have to older ones or the potential fates of the movie's participants, it seems as if moviegoers are going to get the full low-down on the seventh Star Wars episode well before its theatrical premiere.

Just yesterday, Abrams himself came out and said that while some of the reports are true, there are others that contain falsities, so unless he's just saying that, audiences still have to play the guessing game when reading new information about Force Awakens. That's important to keep in mind before diving in to the new batch of rumors, which break down the opening sequence viewers will see this December.

Making Star Wars, which seems to be the go-to source for any and all bits about Episode VII, have returned with another scoop. It's not as potentially spoiler-filled as their previous write-ups, but if you're interested in going into The Force Awakens completely fresh, we suggest that you do not read beyond this point.

-

-

-

-

-

In their latest report, Making Star Wars states that the film's opening sequence will take place in a "savannah environment," where a villager named Naka stumbles across a lightsaber that has fallen from the sky. Accidentally activating the weapon, Naka starts a fire in his home. Startled, he brings the lightsaber to a character referred to as "The Vicar" (allegedly Max Von Sydow's character), who is Naka's elder. The Vicar contacts the Rebel Alliance shortly after seeing the lightsaber, which brings Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) to the planet.

Poe takes the lightsaber from the Vicar, but learns that the Empire is also at the location (either by following the pilot or intercepting the Vicar's transmission). Dameron hides the lightsaber inside of BB-8 (the soccer ball droid) and prepares to battle the Imperial forces while the robot flees the scene.

It's during this sequence that we will also meet Finn (John Boyega), who is part of the stormtrooper legion that arrives at the savannah planet to retrieve the lightsaber. As has been reported before, Finn loses his best friend in the battle and proves to be too kindhearted for the Empire. The final straw is apparently when Finn allows innocent villagers to escape the confrontation, which leads to Kylo Ren (the cross guard lightsaber wielding villain) placing Finn under arrest and burning the village to the ground. Finn is taken to the brig of a Star Destroyer, where he meets Poe.

The duo form a mutually-beneficial partnership in order to escape. Finn never learned to fly, so he needs the pilot Poe to get him out of this situation; however, he possesses knowledge of the brig's schematics, which will allow the two to escape the ship. They scheme to steal a TIE fighter, which will seemingly set the core plot in motion.

Anyone who has been following the recent storyline rumors for The Force Awakens will note some striking similarities between this new development and what has been made public before. The descriptions of how Finn and Poe fit into the opening sequence play in line with what we've already heard (Finn is a good guy gone AWOL, they end up on an Imperial brig and concoct an escape plan, etc.). The only chief difference is that Rey (Daisy Ridley) seems to be absent from these first moments, when earlier she was rumored to have a key part in getting Finn and Poe out before the trio meet up with Han Solo.

What does seem to be confirmed by this, however, is Rey's supposed role as protector of the lightsaber, which is believed to be a tool that can open an ancient Sith tomb. It's been reported that BB-8 belongs to her, so it seems very possible that the little droid is taking the weapon to his master in order to keep it out of the Empire's hands. Kylo Ren is said to be on the hunt for artifacts like the lightsaber so he can open the tomb (which Luke is away guarding), so his inclusion in the opening makes sense as well.

Abrams may say that certain rumors aren't true, but it is becoming increasingly likely that this is indeed how The Force Awakens will begin. We've heard elements of this report too many times prior for us to chalk it up as being merely hearsay. And honestly, the movie's teaser trailer seems to play in line with this theorized sequence, since it included several scenes that looked like they could be part of what's being reported (BB-8 frantically rolling to his destination, Rey speeding away, etc.).

What happens when the youngsters fly away with Han remains to be seen, but now we probably know how their adventure begins.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be in theaters December 18.

Source: Making Star Wars

Header image by DarthTemoc @ DeviantArt