Stephen Colbert Defends The New Lightsaber Design In 'Star Wars 7'

The new crossguard lightsaber in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” has endured so much scrutiny over its design ever since it was featured in the first official trailer released for the movie in November. Previous reports have even taken particular interest at the weapon’s tri-bladed hilt. IN PHOTO: Enthusiasts Andrew Ewing (L) and Dimitri Sharbonneau use lightsabers during a NGD (Nerd/Geek/Dork) Work-Out by the Inland Empire Saber Team in Riverside, California August 5, 2014. Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

TV show host Stephen Colbert has made some compelling arguments in support of the new lightsaber design in "Star Wars 7." The design has come under some attack from critics who questioned how practical the weapon can be in a duel.

The first "Star Wars 7" trailer got the fans excited across the globe. The trailer gave the viewers a glimpse of the new Stormtroopers, a new droid, rebel X-Wing fighter planes, new characters and a new villain. The new villain carries a red lightsaber that has two smaller energy beams at the hilt.

Some of the critics have pointed out that in a lightsaber duel, the opponent can slice through the metal frame near the smaller energy beam and injure the fighter. Some fans have proposed that the smaller beams should have been angled with no metal casing in between with a protection for the hand at the hilt. This, some fans said, would catch the opponent's blade in the duel while protecting the hand of the attacker.

Stephen Colbert countered all the talk about modifying the lightsaber design in "Star Wars 7" by saying that the design was perfect and those who were criticising the design did not know better. He claimed to be the original fan of the franchise who had seen the first movie, released in 1977, two weeks before anyone else.

Stephen Colbert presented his arguments on his show and a video clip of his arguments are available on YouTube. The TV show host reasoned that the two smaller beams start at the same point as the main beam, and that the critics have misunderstood that the smaller beams begin near the metal frame.

Stephen Colbert called the critics "stuck-up half witted scruffy looking Nerf herders," a dialogue used by the character Leia from the 1980 "Star Wars" movie. He said that the design is so simple that any Padawan would know it. (A Padawan is a Jedi student who is still under training.)

"Star Wars 7" is slated to be released in December 2015 and is one of the most popular movie franchises in Hollywood. The franchise has a huge fan following across the globe who will be watching a movie from the franchise after a gap of a decade. Should the fans be concerned about the practical elements in the upcoming movie? Or should the fans ignore the nitty-gritty of the fantasy adventure? Please leave your comments below.