Unraveling the Eye Motif Mystery of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Disney Food Affinity and Beyond: Walt Disney Studios and LucasFilm

Hello Disney fans! As one among many Star Wars fans tirelessly re-watching all the latest trailers in anticipation for December 18, I have come across an intriguing reoccurring theme in the marketing material. I have compiled all the posters and videos that suggest the symbolic importance of eyes in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, as this might even give important hints toward the plot of the upcoming movie!

To start, we see this Star Wars TV Spot blatantly focus on this eye motif, as the narrator says:

"I have lived long enough to see the same eyes in different people. I see your eyes. I know your eyes"

The female character narrating this trailer is a new character, Maz Kanata, played by Lupita Nyong'o. She is an enigmatic creature that we have yet to learn much about; However, Director J.J. Abrams told Entertainment Weekly, "I had this pitch about these goggles that she wore. Her eyes are an important aspect of her character, and you'll see how it plays out." Nyong’o adds, "As an actor for films, your eyes are a lot of the way you communicate anyway, so it was definitely a gift to have that be the means to her magic as a motion-capture character.” A close look at the film's theatrical poster shows off Kanata''s eyes shrouded by the aforementioned goggles.

In addition, the recently released character posters, as shown below, display all the main characters with one eye covered by his or her weapon of choice. The new and old Star Wars generations are represented, reinforcing the ideas mentioned in the above trailer.

Moreover, in a humorous SNL skit, there is a very subtle hint to the importance of eyes, mentioned by John Boyega, who will be playing Finn in the film. Go to the 2:10 mark in this video to see Boyega suggest the idea of controlling the force with ones eyes.

The symbolism of eyes doesn't seem to come as much of a surprise when considering J.J. Abrams is behind all of it. In his very popular TV show Lost, eyes were a reoccurring theme that followed through from the pilot episode up until the series finale.

The focus on this Star Wars eye motif in this promotional material seems to hint that eyes may have a large role to play in the 7th installment of this movie collection. Even thinking about the films title, "The Force Awakens", creates the imagery of waking up, and opening ones eyes is quite important when one awakens. With less than two weeks until this highly anticipated premiere, the eyes of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is definitely something to watch for!

-Mike