The secrecy of TFA is really starting to suck

My intention was to remain as unspoiled as possible. Not to read scene descriptions. Avoid leaks. Watch only the trailers.
However, I realised (like with the PT), that half the fun of Star Wars is the build up the the release of the movie.
Speculation, leaks and behind the scenes reveals are all part of the experience for me now.
So although the movie may be slightly spoiled I think the overall experience is improved. I enjoy coming up with outlandish theories and debating the mythology of the saga.
That's not to say that holding back some important story-lines isn't a good thing. It's important to have some surprises! But for me personally, the spoilers are now a part and parcel of the Star Wars experience.

 

Do you remember this one?-



I got this book for my birthday the year TESB came out (1983 I think), and I practically wore it out looking over all the great color pics from the film as well as behind the scenes stuff. There's a few pages showing the way they did the stop-motion for the AT-AT's, and pics of the articulated models they used, and that cemented my lifelong love of all things AT-AT.

It came in shrinkwrap along with a book of die-cut paper models that were surprisingly authentic and 3-dimensional when finished. Simple, low tech, and fun.

I still have the book, but the paper models got lost somewhere along the way. Great memories.

 

It's from 1980, there are two versions: one with the front and back cover insides blank, the other one in light blue with screen credits on the insides.

Funny, my first encounter was a preview in early 1977 featuring a sandtrooper on a giant lizard. Now that cemented my lifelong love of all things sandtrooper and "dewback" (which I'm certain was used as a sniffer dog and not as a means for a ride...).

 

I think what they have done is fantastic. As someone who enjoys coming to this board and others, I have loved the guessing, second guessing, and other banter concerning what will be in the film -- all without being 100% spoiled. This is much unlike the prequels when so much was known ahead of time. I will definitely be tuning OUT on December 14, to return on the 17th. It has been a fun ride for sure.

 

As much as I feel your pain, I think JJ Abrams, KK and the Lucasfilm Story Group should be commended. To keep a tight lid on TFA's secrets in today's spoiler-rich day and age is nothing short of astounding. Just think about why they are doing this. It's not to frustrate you. It's to keep the movie feeling fresh and new. In the end, I think they've found a great balance of distributing just enough to whet our appetites without giving everything away. Imagine a twist as epic as I AM YOUR FATHER -- would you really have wanted to know that before seeing ESB for the first time? Have faith.

 

When TESB came out you know how much I knew about it? Well, I had my mystery action figure which I'd sent in the 5 proof-of-purchase to get in the snail mail. He looked really cool but no one had any real idea who he was (it was Boba Fett). I also saw a picture of Yoda on a magazine cover while in the dentist office. So that was the extent of my TESB preknowledge. A secret action figure, and a picture of Yoda.

Likewise prior to ROTJ you know what I knew? 4-LOM aka the RotJ secret action figure I dropped 5 proofs to get. That's it. After TESB there was only two real questions being talked about- "Is Vader really Luke's father?" and "Is Leia Force-sensitive?" The debates were heated. But the point being, I guess I'm not too concerned withe the "secrecy" behind TFA because I'm used to it. It wasn't until the prequels that things became really marketable prior to the movies, and that simply because of the merchandising success of the OT.

Anyway, if you're an old fossil like me, then if you're finding the wait and limited info annoying, my advice is: remember the way it was before mass global communication. You saw TESB in the theater without knowing much of anything, and when it left theaters you weren't watching TESB anymore.

I remember my tortuous writhing waiting for TESB to be relased in theaters. "It's never going to get here!" But then, POW, 30 years later. What happened? Look at me I'm OLD! 30 years?! And there's still MORE Star Wars on it's way?! I thought I'd never see another SW movie after RotJ. But then I got the prequels. Which I liked because, it's SW. And now? More?! It's too good to be true. I for one am basking in the glow of new SW; I don't care what happens, I will accept this gift for what it is, something that was never going to be- but now somehow magically is! Savor it. Savor the lack of knowing. Savor the moments like these. That's my take on it. My mind is still blown by the fact I am actually going to get to visit Luke and Han and Chewie and R2, Leia, 3Po. It's nuts. I told myself I would die without feeling the good Lord jipped me if only I could see the PT. Well I saw the PT, and was not jipped. Now I'm getting more? Truly my Force-cup runneth over, as the proverb goes.