ST Jakku - Desert planet in TFA revealed

I believe the filmmakers wanted to convey a planet that was filled with the remains of a long ago battle that took place. That's what they wanted to see. The TYPE OF PLANET was second to this BUT it came out being just as significant in the end (read on)

They had to think of locations they could shoot this part of the story. The desert planet Jakku could have been in the outlines all along, but if they weren't than its possible the type of planet was chosen because of logistically possible locations for the production.

Yes it sounds like they could have tried more. Let's say a water planet with the battle remains. Or a crater planet with the remains of this battle. Or a jungle planet... It goes on. The filmmakers may have chosen the desert for logistic issues.

Two more points for Jakku's significance.
First, the filmmakers may not have wanted Tatooine to be the location of this battle. They may have not decided for it to be Tatooine in order to keep Tatooine separate and original. In other words, they spared it from all that destruction that would have affected the inhabitants of Tatooine. This way if Tatooine ever shows up in the new movies it shows up as its OLD SELF. Also at the end of ROTJ you see people celebrating on Tatooine. Doesn't make much sense to have a battle take place there after all that.

And second, they probably chose a new desert planet to be the backdrop of this long ago battle to represent thematic tones of the movie. A desert planet with the remains of this long battle may tell us that the galaxy is in some type of post apocalyptic age and it's recovering. The desert figuratively can represent a wasteland (like the way Mad Max 2's world is). A place where people live inauthentic lives, which can usually be a result of war or oppression. In this case we see the remains of the Empires past oppression (could the First Order be doing this too?). And if Jakku was a water planet or anything else than this possible apocalyptic theme would most likely not be present in the movie. This apocalyptic theme may be speaking about the state of the entire galaxy.

It also may represent the theme that our new heroes are rising amongst the backdrop of the past with wars and it's conflicts, which are represented with the images of old star destroyers and X-wings. Our heroes are rising from the ashes of the past.

The characters of the PT created or were part of the CREATION of this galactic conflict.
The characters of the OT lived during this conflict and helped resolve it.
The characters of the ST rise from the old conflict to the fight a new one (which is a result of the old conflict).

We have yet to see if the new trilogy will continue with mythological motifs, but at least there are hints in the trailer that the filmmakers may be allowing the story to be inspired with actual political history. Just like Lucas did with all the Star Wars movies. And if JJ and company are doing this it's good that they're doing it visually (with probably later explaining what happened on Jakku).

So in the end Jakku may be more than just "another desert planet".

 

There were almost certainly logistical reasons, yes. And a huge reluctance to use a made up (CGI/ Model) environment following the complaints of the PT.

But more than this, the visual impact of a desert world on the psyche of the general public in the Starwars universe. Its very much it's calling card.

However... how many of us accepted that the desert world in the first teaser was Tattooine? Not I. I immediately felt it was a different planet. It has something distinctly "not tatooiney" about it. Almost like its the wrong color or something.

 

I wonder what about such a backwater planet caused such a big battle?

 

I love deserts. Especially on film. Thrilled to have a desert planet again. And a bonus that it's not Tatooine.

Think of the desert backwater of Saudi Arabia, and you might get some ideas.

But seriously, there could be a number of reasons. Could be underground fuel or mineral resources. Could be the location of an Imperial last stand. Could be at the crossroads of an Outer Rim trade route. Could be a key place to refuel when venturing further out into the galaxy. Could be a lot of things. There has been no shortage of strategically-important backwaters on Earth's history, so why not the same thing in the GFFA?

 

Your mother's dead, son. Accept it.
Your mother's going to be dead right after you find her, son. Accept it.

 

Well not all the deserts are the same, you can think of Jakku as desert in Nevada and Tatooine as Sahara. It contributes to more western-look and feel.

Aside from the superficial elements (sand, rolling bushes etc) - history-wise, inhabitants-wise, local economy-wise those 2 planets are very much different.

To tell you the truth, had they decided to use Tatooine (again), that would show a serious lack of creativity and the uncontrollable need to wink at the audience. That kind of neediness is a path to the dark side of the force

 

Tatooine seems to be much more rocky where Jakku is like one giant Dune Sea

 

Who knew Cliegg was a force sensitive?!

*EDIT* CLIEGG IS UBER. WAIT...OWEN LARS IS UBER. HE'S CERTAINLY "BEEN THROUGH SOME STUFF."

 

It occurs to me that Jakku might not be all desert, or at least it didn't start out that way. I would think that capital starships crash landing on a planet- especially Super Star Destroyers- would have a profound effect on the local environment. First there's the massive impact and fire, no doubt followed by substantial radiation leaks for quite some time. I'm reminded of the Noghri home world in the EU's Thrawn trillogy... Maybe the ecosystem in this area of the planet is just toasted because of the wreckage.
I'm hoping that Jakku is better known for its symbolism than any resource it may have. Perhaps this is simply the planet where the whole remnants of the Rebel and Imperial fleets finally met head-to-head after a prolonged war of attrition. Maybe the carnage isn't just limited to the surface of the planet either, maybe our hero's blast their way off the surface to have to make their way through a colossal ship grave yard and debris field that orbits the planet. That might a a good place for a gigantic freighter to hide...

 

http://www.starwars7news.com/2015/0...cebook-page-reveals-outer-rimmid-rim-map.html

 

There is no effort into making Jakku any different from Tatooine. I call shenanigans.

 

...and there you have it, Jakku's far from Tatooine. Hey, look over there... planet Kira?

 

Did you know that if you rearrange letters and add some into "Jakku" it spells out "illuminati"?

 

EDIT:Nevermind it is only a map of mid rim and outer rim planets.

Why isn't Coruscant on the Italian map?

 

looks like a subway map.

 

Do we know if Coruscant still exists in TFA?

 

lol, we learned from thier librerian: if it's not on a map - it does not exist

 

interesting that Kira is on the same line as Jakku and only one planet inbetween.

 

3 planets. Nkllon, Derra IV, and Kooriva.

...but also of note, Kira seems to be a desert world just like Jakku, given the icon used.

 

oops didn't realize they were planets but still interesting.

 

maybe the Academy was at Kira, it does seem like Luke could have been on a desert planet in the teaser.