Let’s face it, it’s hard to be a breakout character when you’re one of millions who all look the same but one Stormtrooper from Star Wars: The Force Awakens is having a moment.
Now fans have answers.
In a universe of compelling lead characters Star Wars always features an army of small roles with big impact and breakout potential. The Force Awakens has its share of “firsts” especially within the evil First Order.
A nameless, faceless soldier with a cool new weapon is revealed.
Finn (formerly known as FN-2187 and played by John Boyega) is one of heroes of the new film. This is the first time we saw the Stormtrooper under the helmet. We learned that the new soldiers are “recruited” as children from the parents, raised and conditioned to serve The First Order, the new threat in the galaxy born from the ashes of Palpatine’s Empire.
Captain Phasma (played by Gwendoline Christie) is the first time we’ve seen a commanding officer as she strikes a menacing stride in chrome and cape.
But who is the mystery Stormtrooper armed with the awesome energy baton who calls Finn a traitor in the fight at Maz Kanata’s castle? He inspired a meme and social fan following. Some fans dubbed him TR-8R because of his cry, “traitor!”
The First Order soldier is designated FN-2199 but his fellow Stormtroopers call him “Nines” according to StarWars.com.
FN-2199 trained with FN-2187 in Before the Awakening, a tie-in graphic novel (seen above) by Greg Rucka and Phil Noto. Nines’ weapon is the Z6 baton and he’s part of a riot control unit dispatched to quell uprisings.
The Star Wars mythos keeps expanding and The Force is with fans as the inheritors of the ultimate sci-fi legacy keep thrilling us with a pantheon of new leading and scene-stealing heroes and villains.
By Editor