This week is a very special week for Star Wars fans. It’s not only the week of the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but it’s essentially Christmas Eve before we settle into a perpetual Christmas Day. This is the last time we only know a world in which George Lucas is writing/crafting/directing Star Wars—after The Force Awakens hits theaters, the saga is a mixed franchise belonging to Lucas and a slew of other filmmakers and storytellers. It’s a bittersweet moment, but one with a tremendous amount of hope.

However, just because we’re getting a brand new set of films doesn’t mean there’s little connection to the original trilogy. The biggest piece of connective tissue is, of course, composer John Williams, who returns to craft the score for director J.J. Abrams’ new film. In keeping with Disney’s tight lid, we haven’t really heard anything from Williams new score except for a few seconds here or there, but the latest installment of 60 Minutes offers us a treat in the form of a pretty substantial preview.

Last week a clip arrived from this weekend’s 60 Minutes in which Abrams watched Williams conduct the score, but in an extended set of outtakes from the episode, we get to watch and hear Williams conduct the music for the film’s opening scene. We also get to see snippets of Abrams collaborating with Williams, but mostly it’s just a joy to see Williams back in the Star Wars saddle. Only a few more days until that score is all ours to consume.

Watch the clip below and check back here on Wednesday for Matt’s review of the film. Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in theaters everywhere on December 18th.

For more on Star Wars: The Force Awakens, be sure to take a look at our continuing coverage provided at the following links:

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