Why Stormtroopers Look Different In 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens'

We've known for a few months now what the brand new Stormtroopers would look like in J.J. Abrams' "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" - both thanks to concept art and trailer footage - but a question that has remained is exactly why the classic uniform got an upgrade.

Now it seems we have an official answer, and it comes down to the fact that they are part of a newly-developing faction of the destroyed Empire that trying to get a strangle-hold on the universe.

This new bit of info comes courtesy of a reporter over at IGN, who has posted an interesting photo on his personal Twitter account. The image shows off the packaging of a brand new Stormtrooper action figure modeled after the soldiers featured in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," and provides a backstory to where they came from:

—Eric Goldman (@TheEricGoldman) June 27, 2015

Most of this description is the basic history of the Stormtrooper, from their origins in the Clone Wars to their time as the army of Emperor Palpatine, but it's the last two sentences that are really key:

Yet the tyranny of Imperial rule sparked rebellion, and the Stormtrooper legions were scattered in the aftermath of the Empire's fall. Now, the rise of the First Order ushers in the next chapter in the Stormtrooper's legacy as a new era of ruthless brutality begins.

It was during Star Wars Celebration back in April that we first learned about The First Order, but this new description both provides new details on their existence and an explanation as to why their Stormtroopers have a different look than those that served under the Empire.

As the action figure packaging notes, it makes sense that the uniforms would look slightly similar - as they have come to represent a certain amount of power in the Star Wars universe - but they're also clearly their own new thing. This same idea is applicable to The First Order's logo - as seen in the last "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" trailer - as well:

Lucasfilm

There are still many secrets left to be unlocked about the villains of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," but all of our questions will be answered when the movie hits theaters on December 18th.