Star Wars' Mark Hamill and Rian Johnson urge fans to evade the movie's marketing
An unusual conflict has broken out between the cast and director of Star Wars: The Last Jedi and its marketer sparking a debate around whether movie studios are spoiling their own plots.
A frame from the Star Wars: the Last Jedi trailer
Both Luke Skywalker actor Mark Hamill and movie director Rian Johnson both responded to a concern from a fan that the trailers and promotions could reveal vital plotpoints from the upcoming second installment in Disney’s new trilogy.
Speaking out on a trend that the major studios, with seeming regularity, spoil their own movies, Superman V Batman: Dawn of Justice being one of the perpetrators, Johnson urged fans of the series to stay away from the promos.
More stuff is coming, that's the nature of the beast. But I fully endorse avoiding everything you can from now till December! https://t.co/G9D8qtq5w4
— Rian Johnson (@rianjohnson) August 10, 2017
Hamill echoed the sentiment.
I fully endorse this @rianjohnson endorsement: AVOID EVERYTHING YOU CAN FROM NOW TILL DECEMBER!!!!! #WordsOfWisdom #WellWorthWaitingForVIII https://t.co/OLgmuDpxGg — Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) August 10, 2017
One user perhaps summed up the issue.
I'm just glad there was no Twitter in 1980 or we would have known Vader was Luke's father after Empire's first showing on opening day.
— Karen C (@Huntress62) August 10, 2017
From the Disney marketer perspective, they are laden with the task to sell the movie without showing too much of its beats and locations. Additional brand partnerships and content risks given more details away to particularly vigilant viewers.
Below is the teaser trailer if you wish to ignore the advice of Hamill and Johnson.