With "Star Wars: Episode VII" just over a year away, director J.J. Abrams is showing his own unique style when it comes to hyping up the already worshiped film franchise.  In recent memory its hard to think of a director who has released as much 'secret material' as Abrams has. This could be the case or possibly other filmmakers do the same except that their films are nowhere near the popularity level of Abrams.

In the latest string of released photos and concept art, Abrams showed fans and critics alike a fresh look at a 'Chrome Trooper.' Yes, you heard right, a 'Chrome Trooper." The first six episodes stuck with the usual white armor that was cast to the storm troopers bodies. In Episodes II and III fans learned that the clone troopers were later turned into the storm troopers as they served Sen. Palpatine, now the Emperor.   

The chrome trooper helmet appears to be updated, more closely resembling a look usually left up for the imperial guards. The chrome will definitely be an interesting touch to the franchise and fans will undoubtedly be curious as to what their function will be. Imperial pilots had similar storm trooper looking helmets except they were all black.

Among other costume changes is that of Han Solo's, who fans will remember wearing almost the same costume for the entirety of Episodes IV through VI. It will be refreshing to see Solo dawn some new attire. Allegedly there have been over six-dozen suggested costumes for Solo. Naturally, Star Wars is famous for having elaborate setting changes going from subzero blizzard landscapes to that of the desolate deserts of Tatooine.

There have also been reports that Han Solo traded in or otherwise saw his Millennium Falcon destroyed. Seeing as how Abrams recently released a video where that featured the bottom side of the ship it's hard to believe that it won't make an appearance at some point. 

It's also not entirely out of the question that Abrams is messing a bit with fans heads. Signature aspects of the film franchise could be used to spark interest but they might not even make it into the film. This is always the most interesting point of purposely-released material. There is no clear motive or specific fact sheet that spells out if at all these changes will take place.