Secret Inspiration For Star Wars 7's Stormtrooper Design Revealed

It looks as though ‘Star Wars VII’ has been taking pointers from an Empire that’s a bit closer to home… as the stormtroopers are revealed to be inspired by Apple.

During an interview with Vanity Fair, ‘Star Wars VII’ costume designer Michael Kaplan admitted that the new stormtroopers were inspired by the makers of the iPhone.

“With the stormtroopers it was more of a simplification,” he explained. “Almost like, ‘What would Apple do?’ JJ [Abrams] wanted them to look like stormtroopers at a glance but also be different enough to kind of wow people and get them excited about the new design.”

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He also revealed that the new Imperial uniforms are influenced by the Nazi’s, with a “slicked back and very hard-lined" look. Although I have to admit, that also sounds a lot like the ‘Star Wars’ Imperial costumes from the original films.

Of course, this isn’t the first time Apple has been cited as inspiration for the new ‘Star Wars’ sequel. In fact, iPad designer Jony Ive has already taken credit for the new lightsaber design.

“I’ve once sat next to J. J. Abrams at a boozy dinner party in New York, and made what Abrams recalled as “very specific” suggestions about the design of lightsabres [sic],” he said when asked about the movie.

“I thought it would be interesting if it were less precise, and just a little bit more spitty,” he explained, adding that a redesigned weapon could be “more analog and more primitive, and I think, in that way, somehow more ominous.”

Obviously, the new lightsaber is a bit more grungey than Apple’s usual sleek designs… but when it comes to the new stormtrooper armour, it’s clear to see how the design-focussed IT company may have influenced the new look.

After all, those new helmets have a very sleek, Apple-esque style.

Thankfully, it seems that Apple won’t dominate the galaxy far, far away… at least, not yet. And in other elements of ‘Star Wars VII’ we can see that the rough-and-ready aesthetic isn’t going anywhere.

But will Apple extend its reach as the First Order conquers the galaxy? For now, we’ll have to wait and see… and keep a keen eye on Apple’s upcoming business plans.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ heads to cinemas on 18 December 2015.

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Picture Credit: Lucasfilm