15 things we know about 'The Last Jedi'

LOS ANGELES - Director Rian Johnson ("Looper") and 10 members of the cast of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" — Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Gwendoline Christie, Domhnall Gleeson, Andy Serkis, Laura Dern and Kelly Marie Tran — faced a small army to journalists recently to discuss the latest film in the galactic franchise.

There were only two small problems. The cast had been sworn to secrecy, so beyond admitting they are part of the movie, very little information could be shared. And, the members of the media couldn't ask about details because they hadn't been shown the movie.

But, there are times when a lot can be said without saying anything. To prove the point, here are 15 things the session revealed about "The Last Jedi."(Don't worry. None of this information is big enough to fall under the header of being a spoiler.)

1. Look for the familiar rolling introduction. Dern, who plays the new character of Vice Adm. Amilyn Holdo, said as soon as the cast saw the familiar opening for the "Star Wars" movie when they got to see the final print, everyone got excited.

2. The film continues to add strong female characters. Along with Dern's role as the new leader of the Resistance, Tran will play the role of Rose Tico.

3. The increase in strong females doesn't phase one character. Serkis, who plays Supreme Leader Snoke, joked that as the leader of the First Order, "Snoke is very unimpressed with the huge female force that seems to be growing in the universe."

4. Hamill is back as Luke Skywalker. The only thing he would confirm about his appearance is that his screen time tops that of his gig in "The Force Awakens." He was in that movie a total of 39 seconds.

6. There will be no Ewoks. When asked if the furry creatures from "Return of the Jedi" will make an appearance in the new film, Johnson said the only way a person will see Wicket and the gang in the movie depends on how many drugs they take before the screening.

7. More will be revealed about Kylo Ren (Driver) and Gen. Hux (Gleeson). The background of the competition between the two major villains will be revealed.

8. Things aren't going well. Despite a big victory at the end of "The Force Awakens," the Resistance is in trouble and on the verge of being defeated.

9. The death of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) in "The Force Awakens" will impact Rey deeply. "He was a figure that she had never dreamed of for her, and he was snatched away," Ridley says.

10. "The Last Jedi" continues the trend of delivering messages about hope, courage and family. But you have to look for them, "There probably will be some who will see nothing," Driver said. "Whatever is happening in your life speaks to you in a different way than anyone else."

12. War is hell, even in space. Boyega pointed out that all of the "Star Wars" movies have dealt with war, and "The Last Jedi" explores that theme more than any of the past installments.

13. You'll get more for your money. According to Hamill, "The Last Jedi" is longer than the past installments. The running time is listed at two hours and 32 minutes. The running time of "Star Wars: The Last Hope" is two hours and five minutes.

14. Carrie Fisher had a massive impact on all members of the cast. Each applauded how much energy, talent, spunk and humor the actress brought to the set as General Leia.