Star Wars: The Force Awakens introduces two new characters into the Star Wars universe. Poe Dameron played by Oscar Isaac is the commander of the squadron T-70 X Wing Fighters and Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong’o plays a mysterious character that has not even been hinted at by the producers or the director.
Both actors offered up very little in detailing their character’s arc. That’s okay, they were both gracious and funny about their experiences and giving us insight into their Star Wars memories.
Lupita Nyong’o
HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 14: Actress Lupita Nyong’o attends the World Premiere of ?Star Wars: The Force Awakens? at the Dolby, El Capitan, and TCL Theatres on December 14, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Lupita Nyong’o
Maz Kanata Details
” I can tell you that my character’s name is Maz Kanata and she is a pirate and owns a bar.”
Star Wars Memories
“I was born into Star Wars. I feel it was a very normal part of my childhood. It would come on public holidays on the national television. We only had two channels so Star Wars was on and everybody watched it and everybody was familiar with it because it was all there was to watch on TV.”
The Audition Process
Lupita actually audition for the director J. J. Abrams during the week of the Oscars when she was nominated for 12 Years a Slave. At the time, she believed it might have been for Star Wars but wasn’t sure. She was in Morocco, when J.J. called to tell her about the role he envisioned for her and that it would be CGI. She said yes to the offer. From there, they flew someone with the script to her. She was immediately intrigued with the idea of because it offers the actor a unique opportunity to play something that’s not limited by your physical circumstance . The role also offer the opportunity to get as far away from the Patsy character.
What’s Next
Lupita will be starring on Broadway in Eclipse by Dania Gurira in February 2016. She is super excited because it’s the first play on Broadway that is written by a woman, directed by a woman and starring just women. And of course, she will be in Disney’s The Jungle Book coming out in April 2016.
Oscar Isaac
HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 14: Actor Oscar Isaac attends the World Premiere of ?Star Wars: The Force Awakens? at the Dolby, El Capitan, and TCL Theatres on December 14, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney) *** Local Caption *** Oscar Isaac
Poe Dameron is Not a Pirate
“I can say that Poe Dameron is a pilot, not a pirate and he is committed to the resistance and to defeating the first order. He believes in the force and he can be a little reckless in wanting to prove that he is, he is a leader and a hero and I think he also has that swagger and confidence that comes from people that can soar above everyone else and do all these things at once like, like fighting a fighter jet and getting into these dog fights and be so close to the edge of death and that definitely influences how he operates in the world.”
Star Wars: The Force Awakens..L to R: Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). Ph: David James. 2015 Lucasfilm Ltd. TM. All Right Reserved.
Star Wars Memories
“The first movie I ever saw in the theater was Return of the Jedi. I was a huge fan ever since and my family were very big fans and every time a new film would come out we’d throw themed parties and memorize the fight scenes and terrorize my family with them. And so for me Star Wars always represented and meant quite literally coming together as a family and, and having a great time.”
Celebrating the News of Being Cast in the movie
“I was in a hotel room in London so I just blasted the Star Wars theme and I grabbed the shampoo bottle and started using it like an x wing. That’s what I did.”
The Audition Process
” I auditioned and met with J.J. (J.J. Abrams the director.) And then a few weeks later I went in and read with John. I took some pictures next to Daisy. Just wanna make sure I wasn’t too decrepit looking.”
Seeing your character for the first time
“It’s strange. It’s again it’s difficult to process. It’s a lot of mixed emotions because you’re seeing it as a fan. You’re seeing the new thing. You’re exhilarated by that. You’re understanding what the world is because it’s one thing to see it all put together.”
What’s Next
He is headed to Spain to finish filming The Promise which takes place at the beginning of World War One in Turkey.
It must be so difficult to be able to provide so little details about their respective characters but they both did a great job in providing color to their Star Wars experience.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer
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STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS arrives in theaters everywhere on December 18th!
Disclosure: NYC Single Mom’s travel and accommodations to attend the Star Wars: The Force Awakens and ABC TV Event were covered by Disney. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
