Movies

J.J. Abrams Teases Droid Hand As 'Star Wars Episode VII' Raises $5 Million For UNICEF

Star Wars Episode VII Contest JJ Abrams
By Germain Lussier

Several months ago, J.J. Abrams kicked off Star Wars: Force For Change, an initiative to raise money for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) with the prize being a trip to the set of Star Wars Episode VII. The first video revealed a brand new creature from the world. A second video revealed the new X-Wing fighter. And now, Abrams revealed the results of the initiative and winner's name with another excitingly cryptic photo. Is it a Episode 7 droid hand? Or perhaps Luke Skywalker's robot hand? Check it out and read more about the Force for Change winner below.

Here's the tweet from @Bad_Robot and Abrams:

And the photo itself, an Episode 7 droid hand:

JJ Abrams episode 7 Droid Hand

Before we get to the winner of the contest, and the over $5 million raised for UNICEF, let's talk about this photo. We know Abrams and his crew were recently on the Irish island of Skellig Michael, which looks very much like the background there. Outdoors, beautiful exposed rocks, etc. The rumor was Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley were on set for that. So the obvious thought is: Luke's hand! There are a few problems with that, however. Most importantly, 30 years ago, Luke's hand had skin on it. If a previous rumor about Luke is true though, the lack of skin could make sense. But I don't buy it.

If it's not Luke, though, maybe it's a new droid. That's where I'm leaning. That either he or Ridley's character has a droid companion that follows them around and it's that robot holding the note here. Honestly, I'm not sure and we're not supposed to be. It's another great tease by Mr. Mystery Box.

UPDATE: Check out a photo of Anakin Skywalker's arm from the end of Attack of the Clones. Looks similar.

AnakinArm

Here's the press release on Star Wars: Force for Change followed by the video of winner D.C. Barns getting the news so many of us dreamed about:

With an exciting initiative that offered a chance to win unique rewards and prizes, including a once-in-a-lifetime grand prize, Star Wars: Force for Change raised $4,261,410 USD for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Contributions were received via fundraising platform Omaze from citizens of 125 countries and enough money was raised to support the equivalent of 7-8 new UNICEF Innovation Labs.

The grand-prize winner was D.C. Barns of Denver Colorado, who shared during a donor video chat that the first time he saw Star Wars when it opened in theaters in 1977, when he was only five. "I loved it! ... I just couldn't get it out of my head of 35 years." D.C. was then asked to share his favorite Star Wars moment. As he began to reply, he was suddenly surprised in his Denver office by members of Star Wars: Force for Change team. Once settled, D.C. exclaimed, "This! This is my new favorite Star Wars moment!"

D.C. will enjoy a trip to London for himself and a guest, a behind-the-scenes visit to the Star Wars set, and will be fitted with a costume and filmed for a scene in Star Wars: Episode Vll.

UNICEF's current network of 14 Innovation Labs help create sustainable solutions to critical issues facing children around the world in the areas of nutrition, water, health, and education. The funds raised through Star Wars: Force for Change will impact the lives of children around the world, through projects like MobiStation, a portable, solar-powered educational kit to ensure children have access to quality learning anywhere, and Rapid FTR (Family Tracing and Reunification), a mobile phone application that helps reunite separated and unaccompanied children with their families in natural disasters.

Disney committed an additional US $1 million to support the launch of Star Wars: Force for Change. Star Wars continues to inspire generations of dreamers and doers to use their creativity to accomplish great things. Star Wars and Lucasfilm were built on the belief that in uniting creativity with innovation, you can make the impossible possible.

Visit StarWars.com/ForceForChange to learn more about this charitable initiative and the work of UNICEF's Innovation Labs and programs.

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