Amazing Nod To Original Star Wars Spotted In New Force Awakens Photos

An extra who featured in the first ’Star Wars’ film is making a triumphant return in this December’s ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’.

Veteran background actor Salo Gardner first appeared as a “Cantina Patron” lurking in the shadows of the Mos Eisley Cantina where Luke first meets Han Solo, and he’ll next crop up in 'The Force Awakens’ playing another likely looking rogue in 'Episode 7’.

Eagle-eyed fans spotted this link between the original trilogy and the new film when they saw Gardner in a new Vanity Fair photo showing “galactic travelers, smugglers, and other assorted riffraff” on the set of the new film. They were quick to share this fun bit of trivia on Imgur and the image soon went viral.

- The Coolest Star Wars Deleted Scenes
- 10 Lamest Star Wars Characters
- 15 Mind-Blowing Star Wars In-Jokes

Having also featured as a Stormtrooper in ‘A New Hope’ and in an uncredited role in 1999′s ‘Phantom Menace’, Gardner’s appearance in ‘The Force Awakens’ will make him one of a select group of actors to appear in all three ‘Star Wars’ trilogies alongside Anthony Daniels and Warwick Davis.

The glossy mag unleashed loads of new behind-the-scenes photos from 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ taken by acclaimed photographer Annie Liebowitz on May 4th (AKA Star Wars day), including never-before-seen shots of Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Adam Driver as Kylo Ren (above) and Lupita Nyong'o in her mo-cap costume playing new character Maz Kanata.

The Oscar-winner’s character is shrouded in mystery but the article reveals that Maz Kanata is a “pirate”. Could she be an old acquaintance of Han Solo?

We’ll know more when 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ arrives on 18 December. Watch the latest trailer below.

- Everything We Know About Star Wars 8
- Star Wars Cast: Then and Now
- Palpatine’s First Name Revealed

Image credits: 20th Century Fox/Disney/Vanity Fair