While Star Wars: Episode VII without Stormtroopers would have been difficult to stomach; Kevin Smith’s recent visit to the set has all but confirmed their existence in the new movie.

Star Wars Episode VII

Smith posted a selfie in which he appeared to be tearing up. It was only when he had a chat to the Flickering Myth podcast that he revealed that a) he did cry, four times in fact and b) there are Stormtroopers.

“They had a sign at on the stage – I can’t even say which stage – which had the Imperial Starship logo and it said, ‘loose lips sink starships,” explained Smith when talking about his big day out to the Star Wars: Episode VII set. 

More: Kevin Smith In Tears During Star Wars Set Visit

“I’m really excited and you know, people keep saying that I liked the last trilogy and I did. I liked 1, 2 and 3. But I liked them as an adult, when I watched them they didn’t give me the same feeling I had when I was seven watching them for the first time and that’s fine. This movie though… Dude, I cried four times. The seven year old in me came. [J.J] has f*cking captured it, man. He has nailed it.”

Okay, so, where are the Troopers then? Well Smith did sign up to this non-disclosure agreement, so his lips were sealed tight. And being a writer himself, he obviously understands the importance of secrets. But he couldn’t help grinning like a big idiot when he was asked if he saw Stormtroopers or not. Couldn’t help it. 

Star Wars 7, directed by Jj Abrams, has been filming at Pinewood after a stint in Abu Dhabi, with production continuing despite the recent setback of Harrison Ford’s broken leg. The film has a scheduled release date of 18 December, 2015.