Shield Your Eyes! STAR WARS EPISODE VII Has Shiny Stormtroopers!

These days, the stormtroopers aren’t just wearing the standard, dull white armor. If you’re serving in the Imperial military, you might get lucky and get to wear armor that has some dazzle. For months, there have been rumors of “chromed” stormtroopers being seen on the set of Star Wars Episode VII, but, like most information about this film, these rumors haven’t been verified. However, now it seems these bright brutes may be legit. Indie Revolver has published two pieces of concept art showing these chrome troopers.

Hooded stormtroopers…what, are they trained in the ways of the Force now? Will we see one of these helmeted heathens (I love alliteration) brandishing lightsabers? Unfortunately, it’s nothing that exciting. According to the article, “The chrome troopers do not actually wear a hood or covering in the film. The metal collar stands up from the torso armor and curves up on the sides before dipping down again at the back.” Well,

You can head over to Indie Revolver to get into the nitty gritty of the armor’s physical appearance, but needless to say, it looks cool! It’s worth noting that this is the same site that leaked photos in August of what the Episode VII stormtroopers would look like, as well as art of Han Solo in his new clothes. So while there’s no way to officially verify this without kidnapping director J.J. Abrams (which I don’t condone), for now this looks like it’s on the up-and-up.

As for what specific function the chrome trooper will serve in Episode VII, Indie Revolver isn’t sure, although they do have some theories.

A couple sources have expressed that the chrome troopers are a private security force for Adam Driver’s character – silver mercenary rent-a-cops rather than true Imperial Forces for Adam Driver’s character. While we’ve not heard this from anyone directly, the most abundant rumor about Driver is that he’s a wealthy aristocrat with an interest in Sith artifacts. While this production seems eager to distance themselves from the prequel era, of all the films’ props this design shares DNA most closely with the Naboo ships. The chrome finish and elegant curves fit in with that established aesthetic perfectly.

I’ve read my fair share of Star Wars Episode VII speculation, and one fan theory I’ve seen a bit is that the stormtroopers in the movie aren’t remnants of the Empire. Instead, they’re serving the New Republic or out on their own as mercenaries. Again, this is fan speculation completely separate from rumors we’ve heard, but if this security force theory pans out, it gives a better idea of what role these armored a**holes (I know, not a classy term, but it’s the only word I could think of) will be doing. It also lines up with other rumors that Driver will play the villain in Episode VII. Just because someone took a picture of him wearing a Rebellion-style pilot’s uniform doesn’t mean he’s on the side of the angels.

Whoever the boss of these chrome troopers is, whether it’s an Imperial officer or someone with a lot of money, they’d be wise to use their men on the planet where they’ll be most effective: Tatooine. Think about it, with the armor’s reflective service, no one would be able to get a shot at them because the sun would hit their eyes. Granted, the downside is that whoever is in the armor would be cooked, but I’d like to think that the Star Wars universe has the technology to make sure a person wearing shiny armor can survive while operating on a desert planet.

SOURCE: Indie Revolver