I'm so excited...

Yeah, John Williams among others has made a point of saying how funny the movie is. They're going for the really hard-hitting emotions here, diluting that with jokes wouldn't play well.

I've been trying to think why these trailers and images from VII are getting to me so hard, and I'm fairly certain it's more  that just "SQUEEESTARWARS", and I thiiiiink it's because there is absolutely nothing else being made right now that LOOKS like this.

Seriously, everything about the actual image of this movie is just jaw dropping. I know it's fake, I know this, but I look at so many of the images and it looks, not just real, but real in that perfectly operatic way. It's hard to explain, everything "feels" real, but it's also slightly exagherated in a very theatrical sort of way. Everything feels intentional and with a lot of thought. But then at the same time, it feels messy asnd gritty and natural.

It's a visual style that is so insanely perfect for a modern interpretation of a "Space Opera".

Guardians of the Galaxy started to go in this direction, which is why I loved it so much, but ultimately still had to live in it's own slightly more cartoonish Marvel world. But VII seems to be going fully and head first, no fucks given, into that gritty operatic style. And damn it speaks to me.

EDIT: Or to go full video nerd. It's dark and gritty but with the saturation turned ALLLLLL the way up. And yet it still manages to look amazing. Dammit JJ you magnificent bastard.

I have a feeling that a LOT of the prequels will be...uh...what's the word...ceremoniously burned a stake and then forgotten, when it comes to these movies.

As for the rest of it, taking what the trailer gives us, I'd wager it's building pretty heavily off what Han said in ANH, "Hokey religions and ancient weapons." and that mentality. They are a myth, even further now than before. Because it'll be what? Another 30 of years after ROTJ? So that's basically an entire generation (The main cast) that has grown up without any sign of the reality of Jedi. Because right now, and for the past 30 years, the only Jedi in the UNIVERSE has been Luke. The Imperials have gone on conquering or ruling, or just being general Nazi fanboys, whatever it is they do. I doubt the majority of the universe knew Palpatine was a Jedi and maaaaaybe there were a few rumors that Vader might have been one, but otherwise, that's the entire presence of Jedi's for, bleh, head math here... 50 years? (Age of ANH Luke + time period of OT + time til Awakens from ROTJ).

So, assuming we're ignoring the prequels here I'd argue it's a bit more like

"Hey did you hear about that one dude in the middle of the Amazonian jungle 50 years ago that could fly?"

"Oh shut up Barry, how much have you had to drink?"

As far as the whole "It being their myth" thing it makes a lot more sense in that universe. That's the story their parents told them about the time the Empire had their giant Laser tag facility destroyed...twice. And according to my uncles cousin, 5 times removed's friend, who might have been there, but who definitely heard it from his brother's gardener, there was a Jedi there.

So agreed, assuming they're going to attempt to keep that shit consistent with the PT, it makes no damn sense. But assuming they, at the very least, "Just don't bring it up and maybe they won't think about it." it, it makes total sense.

I'm still hopeful for the burning at the stake thing.

I think you've also gotta take in to account the size of the galaxy and the Jedi Order. During the time of the prequels, there were what...10,000 Jedi total? This is a galaxy of probably hundreds of trillions, maybe more. To your average citizen of the planet Bumblefuck, the Jedi are probably seen as just some odd group of religious people who have ties with the Senate because well, it's tradition. They supposedly could do some really strange stuff, but who knows if that's real?