Yes I've read your theory.
It is a possibility but I respectfully believe otherwise.
I truly believe that what we are seeing are standard stormtroopers.
Putting aside everything else here is my reasoning behind this :
In 96/97 (?) when they shot additional footage for the Special Edition, they did the same terrible job as far as continuity is concerned.
They wanted to extend the 'Look Sir droid' scene with additional sand troopers and Cgi Dewbacks.
Prop wise they had everything they needed in the archives to shoot the scene properly as only 4 suits were needed, but instead, decided to use( ROTJ styled) Tour Suits.
For me that's one of the most unwatchble scenes in the SE of ANH, (original stormtroopers being my main focus of interest, hobby wise).
Putting aside the general public (the 99 % as you say) I would be hard pressed to believe that no reasonable SW enthusiast has never noticed.
They are on screen long enough, unlike a resin blaster or a saber variation hanging from a belt for only a few shots.
On second viewing my 8 years old nephew asked me why the Trooper with the electrobinoculars and the ones walking in the sand looked different to the 'someone was in the pod' /'look sir droids' troopers.
Universe wise you could always/also say that it is an elite sand trooper squad, that's why they are so different : sure why not.
My own personal preference is : I don't like it,
the filmmakers were not too concerned with continuity and used what looked good to them at the time, only a very small fraction of individuals would scrutinize this stuff, etc... etc.
Maybe you don't care, maybe you like the SE , all of this is fine.
I'll see R1 , I'm looking forward to it but yes I had expectations and hopes.
Having exceptions and hopes doesn't mean you expect them to be met.
I knew they wouldn't.
Thank god this board is here to discuss these things with people that share your opinion and others that don't, even if I think this discussion would be more suited in the screen used original prop section of the forum.
