‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens': Michael Kaplan Reveals Costume Details On Han, Luke, Leia And The Stormtroopers

Lead costume designer for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Michael Kaplan has revealed some of the upgrades applied to the Stormtroopers costumes in the film. He also gave a few details on the changes made to Princess Leia, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker’s outfits.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Michael Kaplan revealed the work he’s done in terms of the characters’ costumes in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” When asked if any of the old Stormtroopers “Star Wars” costumes were reused in the film, he revealed the old ones were no longer usable.

“Audiences of today have become so sophisticated that a lot of things you could get away with in the past, you can’t anymore. These new ones are much more heavy-duty, but they are redesigned, too, they’re not the same stormtroopers,” he revealed.

Michael Kaplan also recalled how “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” director J.J. Abrams wanted to retain that unique and iconic look of the Stormtroopers in the film. But at the same time give their costumes that 30-year difference look. So he revealed how he had made changes to the costume palettes of the Empire and Rebel’s costumes to give them a distinction. Whereas the classic Empire look consisted of khaki and olive, the modern Stormtroopers were updated to “very cold blacks and grays and metallics and teal blues.” Meanwhile, “the Rebels are in khakis and olives and some oranges—warmer colors,” he added.

Aside from the colour, the lines of each of their costumes also varied. Kaplan told Vanity Fair that the Rebels’ costume is made of wools, natural fibers and cottons. While that of the Empire’s is kind of edgy and “very hard-lined, almost like Thierry Mugler.”

Cinema Blend also noted how the Stormtroopers in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” have a far less bulky helmet than those in the original trilogy Stormtroopers. The site shared a photo of the new helmet, which reportedly has a smoother mask while retaining the same functionality.

As for the iconic characters Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, Michael Kaplan didn’t really go into detail describing the changes to their costume in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” However, he assured that something new and interesting was added to their outfit, to match it to the film’s needed story and action.

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