Star Wars: The Force Awakens: JJ Abrams explains what Death Star-like planet is

'It is very much – and it’s acknowledged as such in the movie – apparently another Death Star'

The Starkiller Base in the official Star Wars: The Force Awakens poster (Disney)

JJ Abrams may have wanted to keep all information regarding Star Wars: The Force Awakens close to his chest before release, but that hasn’t stopped him chatting away about the upcoming film.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, not only did the director reveal some spoilerific information regarding Luke Skywalker’s whereabouts, he’s also detailed what that Death Star-like object is in the background of the official poster.

“It is very much – and it’s acknowledged as such in the movie – apparently another Death Star,” Abrams told EW. “But what it’s capable of, how it works, and what the threat is, is far greater than what the Death Star could have done. Starkiller Base is another step forward, technologically speaking, in terms of power.”

It has previously been revealed that the Starkiller Base was once an ice planet, converted into a stronghold by the First Order - i.e. the new bad guys.

Housed in it is a weapon able to destroy planets, much like the one featured in the Death Star, but - as detailed by Abrams - much more powerful.

Fun fact time: the name Starkiller was originally intended to be Luke’s last name, as George Lucas wanted to call him ‘Luke Starkiller’.

It has been revealed Star Wars: The Force Awakens will miss awards season in an attempt to prevent spoilers leaking.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens arrives in UK cinemas on 17 December.