This photo, possibly more than anything else I've seen, really hammers home how much JJ gets about what made the OT special. This looks like it could be from the Mos Eisley cantina or Jabba's palace. It's real, tangible and lived in, far more than anything we saw in the PT.

Is that a human sized rancor?

It's a half-rancor. The real reason Malikili was crying when Luke killed Jabba's rancor is because now he was going to be a single father. Maz Kanata is trying to find Luke to help the little guy avenge his mother's death.

My name is John Crichton... Astronaut...

Seriously though, while they look a little Farscapey in that photo, I don't think that's a bad thing, and I bet as background characters in the right lighting they'll look great. Personally I'd rather seen an above average muppet over another Jar-jar. Character flaws aside, there was something about Jar Jar and the Gungans that just didn't look right, especially compared to practical aliens like Wooks or Nemoidians...

EDIT: Also... Called It! Gwen Christie is confirmed as the Chrometrooper Capt. Phasma...

The alien on the far right next to the red alien looks like a Vorgon or Volgon, the alien race that destroyed Earth in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy..

Also... Called It! Gwen Christie is confirmed as the Chrometrooper Capt. Phasma...

You and everyone else...

Also... Called It! Gwen Christie is confirmed as the Chrometrooper Capt. Phasma...

You and everyone else...

Yeah, sadly obvious the huge armored fighter in GoT plays a huge armored fighter in EPVII.

I'm actually a little peeved as it feels like some sad studio attempt to try and glom onto another successful property. Even sadder since Star Wars needs to leech off of GoT as much as Chewie needs more hair...

I wouldn't read too much into it.

They needed a large woman that can handle a swort as well as is able to act.

Great choice if you ask me.

Yeah, sadly obvious the huge armored fighter in GoT plays a huge armored fighter in EPVII.

I'm actually a little peeved as it feels like some sad studio attempt to try and glom onto another successful property. Even sadder since Star Wars needs to leech off of GoT as much as Chewie needs more hair...

Or more likely, they came to the same conclusion that R.R. Martin did when he created the character of Bree. They want a strong female character who isn't around for her looks. It's taking the sexy badass trope and taking a left turn.

I wouldn't read too much into it.

They needed a large woman that can handle a swort as well as is able to act.

Great choice if you ask me.

And don't forget she already has a natural imperial accent

Yeah, sadly obvious the huge armored fighter in GoT plays a huge armored fighter in EPVII.

I'm actually a little peeved as it feels like some sad studio attempt to try and glom onto another successful property. Even sadder since Star Wars needs to leech off of GoT as much as Chewie needs more hair...

Or more likely, they came to the same conclusion that R.R. Martin did when he created the character of Bree. They want a strong female character who isn't around for her looks. It's taking the sexy badass trope and taking a left turn.

I'm not getting to freaked until I see it.

If she actually has a functional role... good.

If she's just Bree with a blaster.... not so much.

Denizens of Maz Kanata's pirate castle, according to various sources who posted this photo.

Among this sources are the original post on "vanity fair" http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/05/star-wars-force-awakens-photos

I wholeheartedly agree that JJ is replicating the old school feel of the cantina scene, the collection of races and characters.

The large guy in the middle is very Houk, and I really dig the far right red masked character, very nice helmet design.

Anyone notice the old school, but black, stormtrooper helmet in the back row?

Has the aurebesh "f" "e" "a" and others I can't make out on the forehead.

Not sure how you saw that on such a low resolution photo

But now I just spotted the bearded Ithorian

Anyone notice the old school, but black, stormtrooper helmet in the back row?

Has the aurebesh "f" "e" "a" and others I can't make out on the forehead.

http://i.imgur.com/vEdCFXH.jpg

Found a better quality and now I see what you meant

Anyone notice the old school, but black, stormtrooper helmet in the back row?

Has the aurebesh "f" "e" "a" and others I can't make out on the forehead.

Last one looks like "R"

So his helmet probably says "Fear" on it....

Anyone notice the old school, but black, stormtrooper helmet in the back row?

Has the aurebesh "f" "e" "a" and others I can't make out on the forehead.

Last one looks like "R"

So his helmet probably says "Fear" on it....

That's pretty bad ass for a detail...

But now I just spotted the bearded Ithorian

Mouth's in the wrong place, though. Wonder if there's more than one kind of Ithorian now? Or if it's just a similar species.

But now I just spotted the bearded Ithorian

Mouth's in the wrong place, though. Wonder if there's more than one kind of Ithorian now? Or if it's just a similar species.

The guy in front appears to be Mr. Smee in a Cosby Sweater.....

Anyone notice the old school, but black, stormtrooper helmet in the back row?

Has the aurebesh "f" "e" "a" and others I can't make out on the forehead.

Last one looks like "R"

So his helmet probably says "Fear" on it....

Anyone notice the old school, but black, stormtrooper helmet in the back row?

Has the aurebesh "f" "e" "a" and others I can't make out on the forehead.

Last one looks like "R"

So his helmet probably says "Fear" on it....

Nice. I'm loving all the aurebesh details, like the x-wing vest says pull to inflate or something.

Yeah, back in my nerdier days I could actually read it without referencing the charts. The good use of it so far makes me wonder if I need to get that way again, as I suspect there might be some good in-jokes hidden behind the language barrier....

I'm just glad to see real people in suits and makeup instead of CGI.

I more want to know is that an Ithorian Hammerhead and why is his mouth on the front and not the sides.

Anyone notice the old school, but black, stormtrooper helmet in the back row?

Has the aurebesh "f" "e" "a" and others I can't make out on the forehead.

Last one looks like "R"

So his helmet probably says "Fear" on it....

Nice. I'm loving all the aurebesh details, like the x-wing vest says pull to inflate or something.

Yeah, back in my nerdier days I could actually read it without referencing the charts. The good use of it so far makes me wonder if I need to get that way again, as I suspect there might be some good in-jokes hidden behind the language barrier....

Back in junior high, I was really into LOTR. I used to take notes in Elvish