Chris Tauber

Director J.J. Abrams and the Star Wars special effects crew on how they created a fitting farewell

The stars, the director, the droids, the creatures, the secrets, the new photos — we have them all in this packed commemorative edition

Star Wars: The Force Awakens' chief of creature and droid effects tells PEOPLE "it took us a long time to find Maz [Kanata] creatively."

Princess Leia is now called "General" in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens' chief of creature and droid effects tells PEOPLE "it took us a long time to find Maz [Kanata] creatively."

Princess Leia is now called "General" in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Director J.J. Abrams reassures that Luke is "a very important aspect of the story"

"A Wookiee survives over a period of time," says Peter Mayhew

Costume designer Michael Kaplan dishes to PEOPLE on the new character outfits for Star Wars: The Force Awakens

"There's quite a lot," says creature-concept designer Jake Lunt Davies

Anthony Daniels explains to PEOPLE how modern technology has improved the C-3PO suit for Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The inside scoop on Andy Serkis' mysterious villain in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Billie Lourd tells PEOPLE she and her mom watched Star Wars "at least once a week" growing up

Where is Luke Skywalker now? Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy gives PEOPLE a hint

"If we got intoxicated by the nostalgia of what we were doing, the movie was gonna suck," Abrams, 49, admits in PEOPLE's new Star Wars special issue

In Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the lines between good an evil may be blurred

"Poe evolved from the initial idea to what ended up being in the film," Oscar Isaac tells PEOPLE of his character

Adorable as the droid may be, BB-8 may have a few tricks in the works

The British actor endured sizzling temperatures while shooting the buzzy sequel in the scorching Abu Dhabi desert

The 23-year-old Brit has gone from a bit player in a little-seen PBS TV show to a central character in a globally anticipated sequel

Harrison Ford talks with PEOPLE about his evolving relationship with his iconic character, Han Solo