SEGAbits Forums
Off Topic => Everything Else => Topic started by: max_cady on October 30, 2012, 05:36:33 pm
-
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2096gwx.png)
The Walt Disney Company announced today it has agreed to acquire Lucasfilm and is planning Star Wars Episode 7 for 2015! In a conference call, Disney revealed that they are planning a new trilogy starting in 2015 with a new movie coming every other year. This is following such big purchases as Pixar and Marvel Entertainment.
Source: SuperHeroHype.com (http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/173421-disney-to-acquire-lucasfilm-star-wars-episode-7-coming-in-2015)
I'm sorry... Wha... I don't understand... I can't seem to process this information properly...
-
I've been thinking about it for a couple of hours now.. Still can't get my head around the fact that there will be 3 more Star Wars movies. I feel I'll wake up any moment now.
-
It's been planned to have 9 movies for quite some time now.
I reckon they'll be shit.
-
Its always been planned as a 9 part trilogy from the very beginning. The final part of the movie ending will supposed to have Luke Skywalker returning to pass down his lightsaber to the next "new hope". This deal though kind of suggests that there might be more after the ninth movie. Really considering how low the prequels were is it anything to get excited about? And the worrying development of Disney buying up all the family jewels like Pixar, Muppets,Marvel and now Lucasfilm, i'm worried that they may have their eye on a particular video game company to complete the "set".
-
I'm a huge Star Wars fan. Probably more into it than SEGA and Sonic, to be honest.
This is big news indeed.
At first, I was crushed. Then I thought about how much I love Pixar and how great the Marvel movies have become. Now I'm feeling positive about this. For starters, Kathleen Kennedy is now the new president of Lucasfilm. This woman was a huge influence on many of Spielberg's films including Indiana Jones.
As for the Sequel Trilogy, as I've started to call it, I'm leaning towards positive. Let me just say that I love the OT and am a big PT fan. Yup! I really like the prequels. Episode I, while flawed, has many of my favorite PT moments. Episode II is a lot of fun for me: the Fetts, the whole Geonosis battle, Christopher Lee. Episode III is better than ROTJ in my eyes, which is a big accomplishment.
To be honest, there is a HUGE prequel fanbase. Head on over to TheForce.net forums or attend any Star Wars Celebration, Disney Star Wars Fan Days or listen to any episode of the Forcecast podcast. People who hate the prequels and think that everybody else does are dead wrong. If Star Wars was dead to you in '83, then honestly get the fuck out of the franchise. It's not for you anymore, but it is DEFINITELY for thousands if not millions of other people.
So now comes the sequel trilogy. Lucas has had story outlines for a few years now, according to him, and he will sit down with a team of writers to craft the scripts. As The Clone Wars series has proven, Lucas with the overarching plot ideas, and hired writers is a match made in heaven. So quality scripts/dialogue for the sequel trilogy are far more possible than what the PT gave us. Despite how much I like the PT, I concede that the dialogue was the weakest aspect.
If the scripts are quality, the story has a reason to be told and expands on the Skywalker mythos, actors return including Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Fucking Ford then my body is ready. Spielberg has always wanted to direct a movie, and he even guest directed on Episode III, so he is my top pick for ep 7. John Williams might not be in it for all three, but he can surely compose ep 7 and set some themes in place for the next two movies.
-
(http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3799/disneybuy.jpg)
Please Disney, stop buying popular things....whether you ruin them or not, it's Monopolising the Market, McDonald's Style.
-
I'm a huge Star Wars fan. Probably more into it than SEGA and Sonic, to be honest.
This is big news indeed.
At first, I was crushed. Then I thought about how much I love Pixar and how great the Marvel movies have become. Now I'm feeling positive about this. For starters, Kathleen Kennedy is now the new president of Lucasfilm. This woman was a huge influence on many of Spielberg's films including Indiana Jones.
As for the Sequel Trilogy, as I've started to call it, I'm leaning towards positive. Let me just say that I love the OT and am a big PT fan. Yup! I really like the prequels. Episode I, while flawed, has many of my favorite PT moments. Episode II is a lot of fun for me: the Fetts, the whole Geonosis battle, Christopher Lee. Episode III is better than ROTJ in my eyes, which is a big accomplishment.
To be honest, there is a HUGE prequel fanbase. Head on over to TheForce.net forums or attend any Star Wars Celebration, Disney Star Wars Fan Days or listen to any episode of the Forcecast podcast. People who hate the prequels and think that everybody else does are dead wrong. If Star Wars was dead to you in '83, then honestly get the fuck out of the franchise. It's not for you anymore, but it is DEFINITELY for thousands if not millions of other people.
So now comes the sequel trilogy. Lucas has had story outlines for a few years now, according to him, and he will sit down with a team of writers to craft the scripts. As The Clone Wars series has proven, Lucas with the overarching plot ideas, and hired writers is a match made in heaven. So quality scripts/dialogue for the sequel trilogy are far more possible than what the PT gave us. Despite how much I like the PT, I concede that the dialogue was the weakest aspect.
If the scripts are quality, the story has a reason to be told and expands on the Skywalker mythos, actors return including Peter Mayhew, Anthony Daniels, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Fucking Ford then my body is ready. Spielberg has always wanted to direct a movie, and he even guest directed on Episode III, so he is my top pick for ep 7. John Williams might not be in it for all three, but he can surely compose ep 7 and set some themes in place for the next two movies.
All the prequels were crap. The key moments when they needed to really sell a moment of Star Wars lore like Anankin's turning and the battle on mustafa was ruined by that Hayden's guy inability to act a decent scene. The only people that carried the movies was christopher lee(with criminially limited screen time) The guy who played Jango fett and Ian(The Emperor) Mcdirmand. And they were really let down by a terrible story and dialouge but they still shined in the peices of sh*t that were the prequels. Everything else was basically rubbish or worse look like a video game rather than a Star Wars movie. All this ROTJ bashing is just copying from what that movie Clerks was taking the fun of. Jedi is a much better movie than all the three prequels combined, because with some of the nonsense elements in jedi it still took itself seriously and felt like a real Star Wars movie than any of the prequels combined.
I take your point about the tv shows but really they should have been the movies we saw and not the spin offs. I've no doubt that people will see the next film but if everyone is expecting to see the old cast again, its not going to happen. A lot of people were expecting stuff from the prequels and it never happened. So why expect it now.
As for Pixar and marvel, they became great before Disney got their hands on them, now with the newer Pixar movies like brave and sequels to cars and monsters Inc they're not so progressive like they were before they were brought by Disney. The Muppets is different that apparently had a good film from what i was told and the Marvel stuff is a wait and still. I'm not gonna shake disney's hand just yet until we see how the other film brands do under their control but so far with a lackluster Pixar output, it doesn't look good.
-
This is all opinion though. I can't contest your opinion that you think they're crap, since thats what you think and I think differently. I loved the prequels, so really there isn't much else for us to say on that matter.
I'd much rather discuss the future of Lucasfilm than personal opinions on the first six films.
-
Even though Marvel's comic line was always lacking compared to DC's, they have gotten a 'bit' better since the Disney buyout. The Marvel Now 'reboots' are a great idea and the summer event of AVX was pretty good (most people hated it, I thought it was handled great).
Their movies are being slammed out the park with Marvel Studios and they have slowly improved their cartoons.
If this what the future has in store for Star Wars, color me excited.
-
This is all opinion though. I can't contest your opinion that you think they're crap, since thats what you think and I think differently. I loved the prequels, so really there isn't much else for us to say on that matter.
I'd much rather discuss the future of Lucasfilm than personal opinions on the first six films.
Not just my opinion though, compared to the OT, they are crap. But i was judging them as films on their own merits and they are flawed. And this is coming from someone who enjoyed the Sith film. All i'm saying was that key moments in the film could have easily been better. Not saying your opinion is lesser than mine either i'm stating a reason which you had done previously, that's what a discussion is meant to be about. ::) So i wasn't blindly rubbishing the film or your opinion on liking them. As for the six films well that's the sole reason Disney brought lucasfilm in the first place so its hard not to talk about them.
As for marvel well they usually have a year in advance to work on that type of stuff so i dunno if Disney actually had an influence on them at all. Hope they did
-
Yeah, because in the OT the actors were so good and believable.
/lies
-
I should probably point out I'm not really a Star Wars fan, I haven't seen the original trilogy in years and years and I've only seen the prequels once each I think.
I used to love SW when I was younger but then I really fell out of it.
Maybe I'll pick up some on BRD and re-watch them soonish.
-
My body wasn't ready for that news either.
-
This bickering is pointless!
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_HXt5FkAn1mw/SLUIr05j33I/AAAAAAAAAAs/Pszk2aznhgU/s320/TARK.jpg)
---
Discussing ep 7, here are a few guesses I'll make:
• 3P0 and R2 are in the movie. They have been a constant throughout the saga and they just have to return for it to be a true Star Wars movie.
• The movie will take place 30 years after ROTJ, Luke will be one of the first characters we see
• We'll see Luke on Coruscant in the Jedi Temple
• Leia is on the senate or is the leader of the senate
• The line "I have a bad feeling about this." is somewhere in the script
-
Like I said, I don't really know what to say about this... I'm kinda mulling over it, Marvel has won big time with Disney buying them out.
With Lucasfilms, it's a whole different matter... Lucasfilm is an indie company that colaborated with a lot of other studios (namely 20th Century Fox and Paramount). It'll be pretty strange to see all the Indy movies and Star Wars films without the Disney logo on 'em.
But the thing that gets to me is that... whenever there's something like this, an aquisition, in the back of my mind there's that voice going:
Someone is going to get the short end of the stick;
-or-
What are they going to cancel and what deals are going to fall apart?
Both issues are messy...
Before this aquisition, there's a Star Wars video game, Star Wars 1313, which I assume will remain untouched.
The Clone Wars TV show, I hope it survives the change, because it's something that I'm quite invested in atm.
Both Attack of The Clones and Revenge of the Sith are scheduled for a re-release in 3D by 20th Century Fox, don't know what's going to happen should they decide to release the rest of the saga in 3D.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/xUbH1SEsqiE[/youtube]
Damn I wish Vader would force choke the people who made "It's a Small World".
-
I know Barry actually likes all the films (or do you?) in the Star Wars trilogy, I on the other hand tend to agree with the 'old timers' that the ordinals were better. Here is my opinion on the flicks, take with it what you will.
Episode 1: Shit film that shouldn't have been made. Think about it this way, just sit and watch Episode II. That movie sums up anything you needed to know about Anikin in like, 5 minutes. He tells Obi he can't wait to see Paname, tells them about his crush on her, they established he was training to be on a Jedi. Now the first one had NOTHING to do with the Star Wars series. It was a war about a trade dispute and the plot was so fucking boring. Political nonsense, just really weird written.
Episode 2: So, so flick. This flick is needed though, since it shows Anikin falling in love etc and we get the cool stuff about the Clone Army. This is a bit better than the first flick.
Episode 3: Besides the terrible acting, this is actually a pretty good flick. Sure the CGI stuff was wayyy over the top, I prefer a subtle approach, but it was a good movie.
Episode 4: I have to be honest, this flick to me was pretty much my least favorite of the old trilogy. It obviously shows Luke's beginnings. Its a solid movie, but compared to the next two, it was pretty lacking. I would actually rate Episode 3 higher (don't shoot!)
Episode 5: Dude, this is my favorite. So many twists and ends so awesome. I love the whole "OMG WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT" feeling that comics gives you and the ending to this comic pulled it off well. I really hope that they do this in the next 3 movies they are doing!
Episode 6: A closure to the series, my 2nd favorite Star Wars movie. The last fight scene with Vader and Luke will be itched in my mind for all time.
-
Around the conclusion of the original trilogy, in '82-83 interviews, George Lucas was saying that it was intended to be 9 films all together. Then during the second trilogy era, he denied that that was ever the plan. Now it looks like it's back to the original concept, although I doubt Disney will stop at 9 if they keep making money.
The main weakness of the second trilogy is that Lucas was directing. The best film of the original trilogy, Empire, was directed by Irvin Kershner. So I look forward to the newer films being better than the second trilogy, although due to nostalgia I doubt that people of my generation will ever like them better than the originals.
The only film that Lucas directed really superbly is American Grafitti.
-
A New Hope and THX 1138 are two other superb films of his!
But even GL admitted that writing is his least favorite part of the process. He is at his best when overseeing, making stylistic decisions such as character designs and leading others to make technical innovations.
@George: Yup! I like all the films. Some more than others, but in the end I do enjoy every Star Wars film. I think that no other film series has built a universe as unique and as real as Star Wars. It's not even built on our own galaxy, it's a new one altogether! That's quite an accomplishment.
What I'm interested to see is how the universe will look in 7, 8 and 9. Will things look cleaner thanks to the galaxy prospering after the fall of the Empire? Will things look more technical thanks to it being "the future"?
Will also be interesting to see how much EU George incorporates. I know the official site stated that he did consult existing materials when writing his treatment for the sequels. My guess is he'll pick and choose. We might see Han and Leia's kids, but ages may vary, names might differ, some characters might be excluded (I know George dislikes Mara Jade). Really, I'm excited for the prospect of Luke and Leia returning. It was revealed that George actually told Mark and Carrie last year about the sequels! Perhaps he has a plan for them to return?
-
The reports are saying its mostly a new generation of heroes and that the droids are in it. Anyway there's been all sorts of rumours about the sequels down the years. I'm wondering that the villian in the sequels would be Emperor/Darth sidious again. Because after watching Jedi and watching Sith, i'm not sure the Emperor actually died when he got chucked into that shaft by Vader. The reason i'm saying this is because in Sith, when Obi Wan and Anakin was rescuing Papatine, they had to use the force jump to escape some crashing elevator. But if you look at that sequence carefully it looked almost like Papaltine jumped with them rather then holding on while they jumped. And in jedi he was attacking an already tired and worn out vader with his force lighting, all vader did was throw in down the hole. not enough to kill a guy like that. Only speculation of course but who knows, he's really the only guy that can tie all the films together.
-
So it's officially confirmed that Michael Arndt, writer of Little Miss Sunshine, Toy Story 3, and the upcoming Hunger Games 2: Catching Fire, will be the screenwriter for Episode VII. From what I understand, he's the first screenwriter to be nominated for both Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay at the Oscars.
http://starwars.com/news/michael-arndt-to-write-screenplay-for-star-wars-episode-vii.html
-
I read somewhere that they want to resurrect Darth Vader. Just no. Hope isn't true.
And I think Episode I was important. Not for the story, but for what it did: it introduced a completely new generation to Star Wars.
Looking back now, I can plainly see why many oldschool fans were pissed off at EpI; it has little to do with anything, with it's both best characters (Darth Maul and Qui-Gon Jin) being killed off in the end.
But as kid who had not seen any Star Wars before that, I immediately got the basics of what was great about Star Wars: the adventure, the lightsaber duels, the comic relief, the atmosphere, the excitement.. It was all there, although unconnected to the rest of the story.
In my opinion, the prequels would be better if Darth Maul had lasted another Episode. General Grievous was dumb. A dumb badass character.
-
I can't see Lucas giving the okay to Vader's return. He seemed pretty adamant that 1-6 is Anakin's story, and Anakin was redeemed. Redeemed Anakin = no Vader.
-
Personally, I feel the prequels were better films. Yes, I feel much of the dialogue was flat and performances stilted, but that's definitely in keeping with the action serials of the past, like Flash Gordon, Rocket Man and even Batman & Robin. That was a mistake in some respects, considering we have so many memorable lines from the original trilogy, many of which written by Lawrence Kasdan.
What I truly favor is the narrative. Palpatine's manipulation of Anakin, Padme, the Jedi, as well as the very people he swore to govern and protect, was just brilliant. It's not something kids are really gonna' grasp either. With the original trilogy, they're fairly simple and straight-forward. It's clear-cut black-and-white. It doesn't ask much from the viewer....
The prequels have an aura of mystery and introduce some political elements. As they progress, our main character commits some morally questionable acts, yet we stick with him. Justifying his actions, even. Once we get to the final chapter, or Revenge of the Sith, Anakin crosses a line and Obi-Wan becomes our hero. Their waring beliefs and agendas is a bit more sophisticated, I feel, then the original trilogy.
As for Disney owning Lucasfilm, it's kinda' sad to see one of the largest independent companies ever created consumed by Disney, but they've been in bed with each other for so long it only makes sense that they'd decide to tie the knot. Still not sure how I feel about the whole Episodes 7-9 deal, but I'll be keeping an open mind.
-
AJ, I love you (no homo). I'm right there with you on the prequels. Also, I love the mirroring that exists in the OT and PT. Anakin's journey is like Luke's, except very often Anakin takes the wrong path. As such, watching 4-6 after 1-3, a lot of Luke's decisions carry a lot more weight. Like, running off to Bespin and ignoring Yoda's wishes suddenly makes viewers think "Shit! Anakin disobeyed the Jedi's orders to sit still and look where it got him!"
That's my one beef with 7-9. The PT mirrored the OT. You had the father/son balance perfectly. What could a sequel trilogy do?
-
Exactly! Believe me, I know how ya' feel. I've been defending the prequels since The Phantom Menace. I too enjoy the parallels drawn between the two trilogies.
That's something that bothers me slightly with the sequel trilogy in the works. I really don't know where it will go and how it will compliment the two trilogies preceding it. Still, I shall keep my mind open until I see that first trailer for Episode VII.
-
I read somewhere that they want to resurrect Darth Vader. Just no. Hope isn't true.
I heard the source who brought that information up is a British Tabloid of sorts.
-
I read somewhere that they want to resurrect Darth Vader. Just no. Hope isn't true.
And I think Episode I was important. Not for the story, but for what it did: it introduced a completely new generation to Star Wars.
Looking back now, I can plainly see why many oldschool fans were pissed off at EpI; it has little to do with anything, with it's both best characters (Darth Maul and Qui-Gon Jin) being killed off in the end.
But as kid who had not seen any Star Wars before that, I immediately got the basics of what was great about Star Wars: the adventure, the lightsaber duels, the comic relief, the atmosphere, the excitement.. It was all there, although unconnected to the rest of the story.
In my opinion, the prequels would be better if Darth Maul had lasted another Episode. General Grievous was dumb. A dumb badass character.
Yoda, Obi-wan and other dead Jedi apparently come back to life to face off against the emperor in the orginal outline for the story which would have been episode 9. And life and death seems to be a theme in the SW films especially in the 3rd film.
What I truly favor is the narrative. Palpatine's manipulation of Anakin, Padme, the Jedi, as well as the very people he swore to govern and protect, was just brilliant. It's not something kids are really gonna' grasp either. With the original trilogy, they're fairly simple and straight-forward. It's clear-cut black-and-white. It doesn't ask much from the viewer....
The prequels have an aura of mystery and introduce some political elements. As they progress, our main character commits some morally questionable acts, yet we stick with him. Justifying his actions, even. Once we get to the final chapter, or Revenge of the Sith, Anakin crosses a line and Obi-Wan becomes our hero. Their waring beliefs and agendas is a bit more sophisticated, I feel, then the original trilogy.
You can have the best narrative in the world but if you dont make it intresting for people to actually pay attention to it then there's really no point. Comparing it to the olden day serials is somewhat of a moot point. The serials in question were at least exciting to watch and there performances were more belivable although hokum compared to most of the acting that was seen in the prequels. Palpatine's storyarc was more intresting than Anakin's not only because of the complexities of his plan but the actor was entertaining to watch. in fact, he was the only guy that gave a consistant good performanace in the Prequel Trilogy.
-
I think resurrection could be a theme in the third trilogy, but not the return of Darth Vader. Just look at how important returning from the netherworld is in the series:
Episode I: Qui-Gon dies, his body remains as he did not fully become one with the Force. But his consciousness was saved. Later it is revealed that he can speak to others, but not appear in spectral form (until he is able to use the strong Force powers of Mortis)
Episode II: Qui-Gon's voice is heard, after Anakin loses his mother (and Anakin desperately wishes he could save her from dying, proclaiming that someday he will be powerful enough to do this)
The Clone Wars: Qui-Gon appears as a force ghost, but only on Mortis where the Force is incredibly strong. Anakin's mother returns as a ghost on Mortis (actually it is not her, it is a dark force manipulating Anakin, but it feeds on his angst that he could not save her from dying). Ahsoka dies but is brought back through the power of the Force, in large part due to Mortis but potentially in part due to Anakin.
Episode III: Palpatine teases Anakin with the knowledge of how to save those from death. Anakin foresees Padme dying, he sides with Palpatine but ultimately is tricked into joining the dark side. Yoda tells Obi-Wan that he has learned to speak with Qui-Gon, the two go into hiding while learning Qui-Gon's secrets.
Episode IV: Obi-Wan, filled with Qui-Gon's knowledge, becomes one with the Force and disappears. He immediately can speak with Luke.
Episode V: Obi-Wan appears before Luke.
Episode VI: Obi-Wan, once again, appears before luke after Yoda becomes one with the Force. Anakin sacrifices himself for Luke, killing Vader and in return Yoda and Obi-Wan make him one with the Force.
So we had voices in the PT, ghostly bodies in the OT, so the next step could be fully formed bodies in the ST. Potentially cheating death by becoming one with the Force, and being strong enough to manipulate the force to form a fully functioning body. Imagine if Luke dies in episode VII, and in episode IX he returns through the force.He would pretty much be the ultimate Jedi, and seemingly immortal. Able to come and go from the Force at will. Now THAT is something I'd pay to see.
And what if Palpatine died in Episode VI, but a part of his consciousness survived (sort of a Sauron thing, where he did die but a part of his soul remained) and Palpatine was trying to return by manipulating the Force? He wouldn't so much be a fully formed character as a dark force that is trying to return to the normal world.
I'd also really like to see a Force ghost Yoda and a Force ghost Anakin speaking with Luke or another Skywalker. Seeing Anakin and Luke sharing a scene would be a pretty powerful moment.
-
You can have the best narrative in the world but if you dont make it intresting for people to actually pay attention to it then there's really no point. Comparing it to the olden day serials is somewhat of a moot point. The serials in question were at least exciting to watch and there performances were more belivable although hokum compared to most of the acting that was seen in the prequels. Palpatine's storyarc was more intresting than Anakin's not only because of the complexities of his plan but the actor was entertaining to watch. in fact, he was the only guy that gave a consistant good performanace in the Prequel Trilogy.
Forgive me, but I found it both interesting and entertaining. I don't feel that point is moot. Many people fail to take that into consideration when judging the acting style. Personally, I don't feel those serials were any more exciting to watch than the prequels. While my opinion may not be very popular, I still like Hayden Christensen's performance and how Lucas handled Anakin's story....
The only thing that really ticks me off is Padme's death.
"She has lost the will to live...."
Really? That's all you've got? C'MON! Why didn't you just have Anakin force-choke the bitch - HARD - and toss her thirty-feet away when Obi-Wan demands he let her go? You know, that at least could have led to some serious physical trauma. But she's lost the fucking will to live?! What?! Protecting her newborn children from the child-murdering sociopath that is their father isn't enough reason to keep going? What a selfish little bitch. What were you thinking, George? Afraid of an 'R' rating? What was it? Tell me. I wanna' know.
-
Forgive me, but I found it both interesting and entertaining. I don't feel that point is moot. Many people fail to take that into consideration when judging the acting style. Personally, I don't feel those serials were any more exciting to watch than the prequels. While my opinion may not be very popular, I still like Hayden Christensen's performance and how Lucas handled Anakin's story....
The only thing that really ticks me off is Padme's death.
"She has lost the will to live...."
Really? That's all you've got? C'MON! Why didn't you just have Anakin force-choke the bitch - HARD - and toss her thirty-feet away when Obi-Wan demands he let her go? You know, that at least could have led to some serious physical trauma. But she's lost the fucking will to live?! What?! Protecting her newborn children from the child-murdering sociopath that is their father isn't enough reason to keep going? What a selfish little bitch. What were you thinking, George? Afraid of an 'R' rating? What was it? Tell me. I wanna' know.
I do. The Prequels were slow paced compared to OT and the serials that inspired them. The acting style is somewhat different as well. Today modern actors have many various acting styles to draw from mainly from the method acting idealogy where back then in the time of those serials that idea of method acting as we know it today didn't exist. But the serials are more exciting by defination because of the pace that they had,something was always happening all the time. Now the PQ i wasn't expecting it to be the same as the OT, neither was i expecting it to be overly simple because the PQ had many elements to set up but what i was expecting it to do better was in acting and certain key moments done properly as well as the script. You already mentioned the Padme thing which was another screw up. The actual turning of Anakin could have played better if it wasn't Hayden and if the character of Anakin was someone the audience gave a shit about. But they didn't at least half of them didn't. And that was down to how the character was written and acted. It should have been a great tradegy seeing a hero turn to become a villan but from how it was done it came across as a moody teenager who was in love and then went on a killing spree. Not from what i'd have expected in what is the origin of the great movie villians of all time.
I think resurrection could be a theme in the third trilogy, but not the return of Darth Vader. Just look at how important returning from the netherworld is in the series:
Episode I: Qui-Gon dies, his body remains as he did not fully become one with the Force. But his consciousness was saved. Later it is revealed that he can speak to others, but not appear in spectral form (until he is able to use the strong Force powers of Mortis)
Episode II: Qui-Gon's voice is heard, after Anakin loses his mother (and Anakin desperately wishes he could save her from dying, proclaiming that someday he will be powerful enough to do this)
The Clone Wars: Qui-Gon appears as a force ghost, but only on Mortis where the Force is incredibly strong. Anakin's mother returns as a ghost on Mortis (actually it is not her, it is a dark force manipulating Anakin, but it feeds on his angst that he could not save her from dying). Ahsoka dies but is brought back through the power of the Force, in large part due to Mortis but potentially in part due to Anakin.
Episode III: Palpatine teases Anakin with the knowledge of how to save those from death. Anakin foresees Padme dying, he sides with Palpatine but ultimately is tricked into joining the dark side. Yoda tells Obi-Wan that he has learned to speak with Qui-Gon, the two go into hiding while learning Qui-Gon's secrets.
Episode IV: Obi-Wan, filled with Qui-Gon's knowledge, becomes one with the Force and disappears. He immediately can speak with Luke.
Episode V: Obi-Wan appears before Luke.
Episode VI: Obi-Wan, once again, appears before luke after Yoda becomes one with the Force. Anakin sacrifices himself for Luke, killing Vader and in return Yoda and Obi-Wan make him one with the Force.
So we had voices in the PT, ghostly bodies in the OT, so the next step could be fully formed bodies in the ST. Potentially cheating death by becoming one with the Force, and being strong enough to manipulate the force to form a fully functioning body. Imagine if Luke dies in episode VII, and in episode IX he returns through the force.He would pretty much be the ultimate Jedi, and seemingly immortal. Able to come and go from the Force at will. Now THAT is something I'd pay to see.
And what if Palpatine died in Episode VI, but a part of his consciousness survived (sort of a Sauron thing, where he did die but a part of his soul remained) and Palpatine was trying to return by manipulating the Force? He wouldn't so much be a fully formed character as a dark force that is trying to return to the normal world.
I'd also really like to see a Force ghost Yoda and a Force ghost Anakin speaking with Luke or another Skywalker. Seeing Anakin and Luke sharing a scene would be a pretty powerful moment.
Well one of the comics, Dark empire poised that question about the Emperor consciousness surviving and taking over the clones of himself so he could retake the empire. Depending on how much Lucas has changed the outline for the sequel trilogy and if it does indeed continue that theme it would make sense for Palpatine to return. As for what you said about Yoda, that's the point. That they could become solid fully formed beings again from what i remember was mentioned in a documentary.I'd figure if they did go that route the emperor would more likely physically cheat death rather than do it spiritually as it seems to fit his character of using up apprentices and getting rid of them in order of holding unto power. I mean there were hints that he was actually older than what he looked. But who knows?
-
I do. The Prequels were slow paced compared to OT and the serials that inspired them. The acting style is somewhat different as well. Today modern actors have many various acting styles to draw from mainly from the method acting idealogy where back then in the time of those serials that idea of method acting as we know it today didn't exist. But the serials are more exciting by defination because of the pace that they had,something was always happening all the time. Now the PQ i wasn't expecting it to be the same as the OT, neither was i expecting it to be overly simple because the PQ had many elements to set up but what i was expecting it to do better was in acting and certain key moments done properly as well as the script. You already mentioned the Padme thing which was another screw up. The actual turning of Anakin could have played better if it wasn't Hayden and if the character of Anakin was someone the audience gave a shit about. But they didn't at least half of them didn't. And that was down to how the character was written and acted. It should have been a great tradegy seeing a hero turn to become a villan but from how it was done it came across as a moody teenager who was in love and then went on a killing spree. Not from what i'd have expected in what is the origin of the great movie villians of all time.
I can't agree with you entirely. The prequels have much more going on in terms of both plot and action for me. The first half hour of Phantom Menace gives you several action set pieces that easily top the all too brief shootout on the Blockade Runner in New Hope, or even the first 35 minutes of Return of the Jedi. Don't get me wrong, I do love these movies. However, I had a much easier time sitting through Qui-Gon and company hiding out on Tatooine for 20 minutes, as opposed to 35 minutes of watching a couple droids running around the desert, getting abducted, only to be sold to a whiny teenager. Then meeting up with Ben, finding the message from Leia, hiring Han and Chewie....
Seriously, it's a long wait before you get anymore action.
Same deal with Return of the Jedi. It doesn't exactly open with a bang. Instead, it takes 15-20 minutes just to watch Luke duke it out with a puppet. It's still a fun sequence, but - damn - there wasn't a more economical way to go about saving Han from Jabba? Something that would not have consumed the entire first act.
As for our hero/villain being a whiny teenager; well, if it worked for Luke, why not Anakin? Like father, like son. And the method acting? How can anyone be method with this movie? I mean, let's face it; there's no such thing as the Force, or lightsabers, or droids that feel pain. From what I've seen through documentaries, nobody went "method" for either trilogy. I feel that's in keeping with the serials.
Do understand, I love the original trilogy. I freely admit that neither the prequel or original is without faults. Still, I prefer the prequels.
-
I can't agree with you entirely. The prequels have much more going on in terms of both plot and action for me. The first half hour of Phantom Menace gives you several action set pieces that easily top the all too brief shootout on the Blockade Runner in New Hope, or even the first 35 minutes of Return of the Jedi. Don't get me wrong, I do love these movies. However, I had a much easier time sitting through Qui-Gon and company hiding out on Tatooine for 20 minutes, as opposed to 35 minutes of watching a couple droids running around the desert, getting abducted, only to be sold to a whiny teenager. Then meeting up with Ben, finding the message from Leia, hiring Han and Chewie....
Seriously, it's a long wait before you get anymore action.
The difference is the pace, there's a sense of urgency and excitement in the OT which is lacking in the PT.And really in PM half the audience fell alsleep between the sequences in naboo up to the point of the first encounter with Darth Maul. moot point but it dragged in a lot of places which is something you cant say about the OT. Sith was the one that got the pacing a bit better but that's not really saying much.
Same deal with Return of the Jedi. It doesn't exactly open with a bang. Instead, it takes 15-20 minutes just to watch Luke duke it out with a puppet. It's still a fun sequence, but - damn - there wasn't a more economical way to go about saving Han from Jabba? Something that would not have consumed the entire first act.
As for our hero/villain being a whiny teenager; well, if it worked for Luke, why not Anakin? Like father, like son.
Because there was a development with Luke from boy to hero/man.he didn't stay the same. With Anakin were meant to see from boy to hero to villian but he came across as being a whiney teenager in the second and third film although not so much. it was hard to sympahise with the character let alone feel sorry for him. And that was the most important thing for the character's arc that it was a tragedy but if one didn't care about the character then its ultimatly failed. just like Jar Jar Binks whose original storyline was supposed to end with his death but thanks to the moaning SW fans GL changed it because he didn't get the reaction to the character that he wanted and if he had used the original outline of that character's arc, the fans would have had the complete opposite response to his death then what was intended so he dropped it. unfortunatly GL screwed up Anakin's portrayal as well.
And the method acting? How can anyone be method with this movie? I mean, let's face it; there's no such thing as the Force, or lightsabers, or droids that feel pain. From what I've seen through documentaries, nobody went "method" for either trilogy. I feel that's in keeping with the serials.
You've missed the point. method acting covers the style of acting that most actors use/trained in, in today's cinema. Half if not all the cast in SW has been trained using this idealogy or gone through the classical theatre route. So that type of acting wasn't around back in the 40s although the classic theatre training was. So the styles of acting you would see from films of the 40s and 50s would be different to the films of the 70s till now in the type of acting style you see.
The best example of the classically trained/shakespherian thespian actor would be in the form of Ian Mcdirmand as Papaltine or even Sir Christopher Lee. They become the characters that they are portraying. While Ewan mcgregor while gave a good and consistant performance never became the character he seemed like he was reading his lines. That goes for the girl who played Padme too and she's usually a strong actress in many of the films she's appeared in.
Do understand, I love the original trilogy. I freely admit that neither the prequel or original is without faults. Still, I prefer the prequels.
Im not attacking you for loving the prequels but the prequels have a LOT of flaws, many of the SW films do but its more obvious in the PT trilogy.
-
The difference is the pace, there's a sense of urgency and excitement in the OT which is lacking in the PT.And really in PM half the audience fell alsleep between the sequences in naboo up to the point of the first encounter with Darth Maul. moot point but it dragged in a lot of places which is something you cant say about the OT. Sith was the one that got the pacing a bit better but that's not really saying much.
Because there was a development with Luke from boy to hero/man.he didn't stay the same. With Anakin were meant to see from boy to hero to villian but he came across as being a whiney teenager in the second and third film although not so much. it was hard to sympahise with the character let alone feel sorry for him. And that was the most important thing for the character's arc that it was a tragedy but if one didn't care about the character then its ultimatly failed. just like Jar Jar Binks whose original storyline was supposed to end with his death but thanks to the moaning SW fans GL changed it because he didn't get the reaction to the character that he wanted and if he had used the original outline of that character's arc, the fans would have had the complete opposite response to his death then what was intended so he dropped it. unfortunatly GL screwed up Anakin's portrayal as well.
You've missed the point. method acting covers the style of acting that most actors use/trained in, in today's cinema. Half if not all the cast in SW has been trained using this idealogy or gone through the classical theatre route. So that type of acting wasn't around back in the 40s although the classic theatre training was. So the styles of acting you would see from films of the 40s and 50s would be different to the films of the 70s till now in the type of acting style you see.
The best example of the classically trained/shakespherian thespian actor would be in the form of Ian Mcdirmand as Papaltine or even Sir Christopher Lee. They become the characters that they are portraying. While Ewan mcgregor while gave a good and consistant performance never became the character he seemed like he was reading his lines. That goes for the girl who played Padme too and she's usually a strong actress in many of the films she's appeared in.
Im not attacking you for loving the prequels but the prequels have a LOT of flaws, many of the SW films do but its more obvious in the PT trilogy.
Okay, I believe you've missed the point. It's my opinion, as I've clearly stated. I don't agree with you, or your reasoning. The audiance I had seen Phantom Menace with hadn't fallen asleep, good sir. Instead, we gasped when Qui-Gon tried to cut through the blast door like a heat-seeking missile of justice, laughed when he insulted Jar-Jar, giggled with excitement like a bunch of children hopped up on Hi-C during the podrace sequence, not to mention the collective "holy shit" during the final battle....
That was a full house, almost three months after the movie had been released. Guess what? I saw the same damn thing when performing SIG checks at my day job (I work in a theatre) when we received Phantom Menace 3D.
I do apologize if I come off as rude, but I can say the original trilogy dragged. It did for me, at least.
I liked Anakin's outcome for the most part. It worked for me. Done.
I've made several short films and music videos, watched several documentaries, listened to countless audio commentaries, read many books all dealing with cinema and all that entails....I know what method acting is, okay? As I said, I don't agree. Again, how can you get "method" with Star Wars? When watching the documentaries for any one of the Star Wars films, prequel or original, no one's talking about "method" in these things, because the very notion is preposterous....
If you think their performances suck, fine. If you're trying to say that their performances sucked because they aren't classically trained actors, therefor unable to break away from their "method" backgrounds or whatever, fine. All I'm saying is I don't agree. That's all.
-
Okay, I believe you've missed the point. It's my opinion, as I've clearly stated. I don't agree with you, or your reasoning. The audiance I had seen Phantom Menace with hadn't fallen asleep, good sir. Instead, we gasped when Qui-Gon tried to cut through the blast door like a heat-seeking missile of justice, laughed when he insulted Jar-Jar, giggled with excitement like a bunch of children hopped up on Hi-C during the podrace sequence, not to mention the collective "holy shit" during the final battle....
Well apperently it isn't shared by many people. Like i said i'm not attacking you personally that you like the films, i'm saying there are many flaws in it. The OT has flaws but it is the foundation of the prequels,so effectivly its the standard which the prequels kinda failed. Mainly in my opinion if you compared the PT to the spin offs like the clone wars, they showed that these characters and the situation that they are in can work and can be entertaining. But it didn't really convey that in the actual PT films.
That was a full house, almost three months after the movie had been released. Guess what? I saw the same damn thing when performing SIG checks at my day job (I work in a theatre) when we received Phantom Menace 3D.
Not saying much it is SW after all. It was a full house at the screening i was in. But it didn't stop people from falling alsleep,that's what happened. Sorry.
I do apologize if I come off as rude, but I can say the original trilogy dragged. It did for me, at least.
Well i could have taken offense from what was said about the OT being simplistic and the PT having more depth, indicating that anyone who perfers the OT are stupid because they dont appreciate the subtley of the prequels. I didn't take offense to it,despite that comment. And i got the complexities of the PT. It still didn't stop the movies from having obvious flaws. Like i have said the OT have flaws in it(especially with the special editions and ultimate editions) as well but the reality is that when it comes down to it many people are going to say they think the OT is better than the PT for whatever reason. The OT is the standard of this franchise and the PT should have at least lived up or improved upon it.
I liked Anakin's outcome for the most part. It worked for me. Done.
It didn't for the majority of us.Done. :)The spin offs though did do it properly which was part of the problem. It should have been in the movies.
I've made several short films and music videos, watched several documentaries, listened to countless audio commentaries, read many books all dealing with cinema and all that entails....I know what method acting is, okay? As I said, I don't agree. Again, how can you get "method" with Star Wars? When watching the documentaries for any one of the Star Wars films, prequel or original, no one's talking about "method" in these things, because the very notion is preposterous....
Your clearly not getting it. When you are trained as an actor the method acting as popularized by someone like marlon brando is usually the standard in how they teach acting nowadays. Most acting nowadays use that style of acting teaching. Something that didn't exist during the 1930s and 40s. But as for motivation for the SW PT. Simple. Lucas to the actor that played Anakin in the third film. "you were taken from your mother as a boy. Despite your powers you couldn't save her. And now you fear iof losing the woman you love and the mother of your kids.You do anything to stop it from happening" Its not hard to figure out now is it? You may question it but believe you me that's how it is in film production in hollywood these days. Actors questioning why they should do this and that and whatever and what's the motivation for it.
If you think their performances suck, fine. If you're trying to say that their performances sucked because they aren't classically trained actors, therefor unable to break away from their "method" backgrounds or whatever, fine. All I'm saying is I don't agree. That's all.
No i'm saying that some performances in the prequels were better than others, even you have to admit that. I've seen many films that were dull or even crap but the actor with a good theatre background usually has a good performance in it. But that also includes a natural good actor that hasn't had that training. The PT didn't have any bad actors in it but some could use their training better than others. Theatre style or classical acting you become the character where method requires you to try to understand the character and why they would do what they do according to the script. The real problem was with the script an the direction and editing to a degree ultimatly.
-
AJ, you need to learn that "agree to disagree" does not exist for ROJM. You give your opinions, he'll give his AND tell you that it is shared by "many people". I particularly enjoyed the bit where ROJM was in a theater full of sleeping people. PICS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!
What happened to TA? I miss the epic arguments... :(
---
Since we're sharing theater stories, I saw all three prequels on their opening nights with my dad. TPM had tons of moments where the audience was applauding and really enjoying bits like the opening BOOM of the Star Wars logo, Qui-Gon cutting through the door, Jar Jar getting his tongue grabbed, Jar Jar getting electrocuted, the moment the double saber ignited (I remember one guy said "oh shit!").
TPM isn't the best SW movie, but like every other movie in the series it has a ton of awesome moments and that particular magic that comes with a SW movie. I have yet to see a fantasy movie that carries the same feeling that episodes 1-6 has. Same with the Indiana Jones movies. Even the weakest installments have that feeling that cannot be replicated.
I give TPM a lot of credit for looking the least "digital" of the prequels. I recall there was a load of model work done in TPM, and it was the only one of the PT films shot on film. Not to mention like ANH, it has a very standalone feel. No cliffhanger, just a big party and a "we defeated the enemy!" ending. This'll sound weird, but TPM reminds me of Dinotopia in terms of design, especially on Naboo. Part renaissance design, part bizarre prehistoric creatures. TPM has some of the best creatures in the saga for me. The fish, the crazy land animal stampede scene, the expanded Tatoonie bits. Really crazy imaginative stuff. Fans of SW creatures should check this book out: http://www.amazon.com/Wildlife-Star-Wars-Field-Guide/dp/0811847365
-
AJ, you need to learn that "agree to disagree" does not exist for ROJM. You give your opinions, he'll give his AND tell you that it is shared by "many people". I particularly enjoyed the bit where ROJM was in a theater full of sleeping people. PICS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!
Dude there was a time when mobile camera phones wasn't widely available. ::) Especially in 1999 when the first PT film came out. So acting that im just saying "this" when i've been more than reasonable and hardly insulting about it just indicates that you guys are too set in your views about these films and ready to slam down anyone that happens to have a different opinion. Strange considering that if you are a member of the Force net you know exactly that the opinion and that includes the founder and moderators of that site is way more harsher on the prequels than anything i've said.
What happened to TA? I miss the epic arguments... :(
You love the peace an quiet. Anyway its not sega related and i'm not too into sega as much anymore.
Since we're sharing theater stories, I saw all three prequels on their opening nights with my dad. TPM had tons of moments where the audience was applauding and really enjoying bits like the opening BOOM of the Star Wars logo, Qui-Gon cutting through the door, Jar Jar getting his tongue grabbed, Jar Jar getting electrocuted, the moment the double saber ignited (I remember one guy said "oh shit!").
I remember a contingent of Chinese people being excited about the film and was cheering it when it started, until they heard the bad guys speak. Then later on the other half of the audience were offended when they heard Jar Jar. :-\
TPM isn't the best SW movie, but like every other movie in the series it has a ton of awesome moments and that particular magic that comes with a SW movie. I have yet to see a fantasy movie that carries the same feeling that episodes 1-6 has. Same with the Indiana Jones movies. Even the weakest installments have that feeling that cannot be replicated.
Don't disagree.
I give TPM a lot of credit for looking the least "digital" of the prequels. I recall there was a load of model work done in TPM, and it was the only one of the PT films shot on film. Not to mention like ANH, it has a very standalone feel. No cliffhanger, just a big party and a "we defeated the enemy!" ending. This'll sound weird, but TPM reminds me of Dinotopia in terms of design, especially on Naboo. Part renaissance design, part bizarre prehistoric creatures. TPM has some of the best creatures in the saga for me. The fish, the crazy land animal stampede scene, the expanded Tatoonie bits. Really crazy imaginative stuff. Fans of SW creatures should check this book out: http://www.amazon.com/Wildlife-Star-Wars-Field-Guide/dp/0811847365
True to a degree.
-
Glad we're not in complete disagreement. 8)
In the end, though, the prequels happened and they can't unhappen. Might as well not go into analysis overkill. Right now, the most important things to focus on are the new stuff like The Clone Wars and Episode VII. The Clone Wars, I'll admit, as a whole is more engaging than most of the Prequels. Even the current story ark, which is aimed at kids, is awesome in that it shows the process of building a lightsaber. Really cool stuff.
As for Ep VII, I can't see how the hell they can make the 2015 deadline. It's gonna be tight for sure. Good thing GL retired, because at his age I can't see him keeping up with a production moving that fast. Ideally, if people need to consult him, they'll come to him, and if he wants he can walk about the set and give is two cents.
-
Glad we're not in complete disagreement. 8)
In the end, though, the prequels happened and they can't unhappen. Might as well not go into analysis overkill. Right now, the most important things to focus on are the new stuff like The Clone Wars and Episode VII. The Clone Wars, I'll admit, as a whole is more engaging than most of the Prequels. Even the current story ark, which is aimed at kids, is awesome in that it shows the process of building a lightsaber. Really cool stuff.
As for Ep VII, I can't see how the hell they can make the 2015 deadline. It's gonna be tight for sure. Good thing GL retired, because at his age I can't see him keeping up with a production moving that fast. Ideally, if people need to consult him, they'll come to him, and if he wants he can walk about the set and give is two cents.
If they're talking about it now they're were probably in pre production already before the buyout. I reckon GL didn't want to splash out on the 3D technology required for the sequels films. In that, i mean he would want the same tech that they used for Avatar or even better but Lucasfilm didn't or wouldn't want to pay the costs required for that film. Disney has the necessary funds perhaps, after all they are the nintendo of the movie world. :) Anyway it will ber an exciting build up to the first sequel movie much like how it was when they build up the anticipation for the prequels.
-
I want a ton of stupid promotions. The spring/summer of 1999 was great: Star Wars Pepsi cans, a multi-fast food release of Star Wars toys at KFC/Pizza Hut/Taco Bell, strange and wonderful candies and cereals.
I want Episode VII toothpaste come 2015!
-
AJ, you need to learn that "agree to disagree" does not exist for ROJM. You give your opinions, he'll give his AND tell you that it is shared by "many people". I particularly enjoyed the bit where ROJM was in a theater full of sleeping people. PICS OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!
So I've noticed.
However, let me clearify something for ROJM real quick. Just because I felt that the original trilogy was more black-and-white, doesn't mean I think less of anybody for preferring it over the prequel trilogy. I was just saying that I prefer a little more meat on my bones when it comes to my Star Wars experience.
No, I don't really care that a lot of people don't share my opinion. Seriously, that's fine with me. My girlfriend doesn't really care for Star Wars at all. It's just not her thing. She'll play with my lightsaber all the same, but that's beside the point. LOL! Just kidding.
Still, it's just my opinion. That's all.
Barry, why KFC/Pizza Hut/Taco Bell? Have you been watching Demolition Man again? LOL!
-
I just remember that for a good three months I frequented the shittiest fast food joints just to get a collection of Star Wars toys, lol
And they were really nice too! They came in these swanky boxes and a few of the toys were good enough as office decor. I only managed to get 1/3 of them.
(http://images.canadianlisted.com/nlarge/star-wars-collectibles-kfc-taco-bell-pizza-hut-meal-toys-for-149_6031552.jpg)
(http://images.canadianlisted.com/nlarge/star-wars-collectibles-kfc-taco-bell-pizza-hut-meal-toys-for-149_6031553.jpg)
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Star-Wars-21-toys-in-boxes-Taco-Bell-KFC-Pizza-Hut-exclusives-Yoda-Darth-Maul-/00/s/MTIwMFgxNjAw/$(KGrHqZHJDQE-nw!Fjy(BP)DwDF(vg~~60_57.JPG)
-
So I've noticed.
However, let me clearify something for ROJM real quick. Just because I felt that the original trilogy was more black-and-white, doesn't mean I think less of anybody for preferring it over the prequel trilogy. I was just saying that I prefer a little more meat on my bones when it comes to my Star Wars experience.
No, I don't really care that a lot of people don't share my opinion. Seriously, that's fine with me. My girlfriend doesn't really care for Star Wars at all. It's just not her thing. She'll play with my lightsaber all the same, but that's beside the point. LOL! Just kidding.
Still, it's just my opinion. That's all.
Barry, why KFC/Pizza Hut/Taco Bell? Have you been watching Demolition Man again? LOL!
And the world is flat because its just my opinion,ignoring the fact that it isn't. ::)
You like it, i don't, was never really the point of what i was saying,mate. But let's leave it as that, eh , since everyone is too deft to listen to anyone else.
-
I'm happy to hear that George Lucas is donating like half of what he made to charity!!!
-
Almost makes you think that he's on the way out or something... :-\
-
Nah, GL has always given loads to charity. I don't think he's dying (knock on wood!). Though he is a bit chunky and needs to watch what he eats. Last year, a friend of mine in California was in line at a hoagie shop and George Lucas himself was in line in front of him! He snapped a photo, it was pretty funny. Flannel shirt, blue jeans and all.
He visited my college the year after I graduated (dammit!) so I saw all these photos of him walking around my old classrooms. :P
-
Intriguing new rumor:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/blogs/post.aspx?More_Star_Wars_news_Are_spinoffs_in_the_future/58-17951
Boba Fett, the movie? Han Solo in a solo project? These ideas may not seem as far-fetched as they once were.
It was reported a little over a week ago that Lawrence Kasdan (“The Empire Strikes Back,” “Return of the Jedi”) and Simon Kinberg (“X-Men: The Last Stand,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past”) had been signed to write scripts for future Star Wars movies. It was assumed at the time that they would be penning Episodes VIII and IX.
That may not be the case. The Hollywood Reporter reported on Wednesday that Kasdan and Kinberg will be working on “separate projects.” According to the Reporter’s source, that means their stories could end up folding into the primary storyline and become future installments of the main franchise or they could turn into spinoffs.
Disney has already had great success with movie spinoffs via Marvel Studios, so it’s not surprising to see them considering this route. There are a million possible stories to be told in the Star Wars universe. Diehard fans might prefer creating a “Star Wars Cinematic Universe” to go alongside the “Star Wars Expanded Universe” rather than the former overwriting the latter as canon.
This also opens up the possibility of stealing from other parts of the Expanded Universe for future films, going back thousands of years to tell the story of the early Jedi like in the Knights of the Old Republic video games or the origin of the Sith. Maybe we’ll see a movie based on Han Solo’s younger years, or the fanboy dream of a bounty hunter movie centered on Boba Fett. Or a Rogue Squadron movie with Wedge Antilles and Corran Horn.
The task will be more difficult than building the Marvel Cinematic Universe in some ways. The early Marvel films all built toward “The Avengers” and were working from scratch in distinct settings, so they were allowed to remain largely independent while weaving in bits of story that tied them together in the same larger picture. In essence, Marvel started with the “spin-offs” and used them to build toward the primary movie series. Also, expectations weren’t through the roof until the success of “Iron Man” got things rolling.
Star Wars will be going the other direction, and it’s hard to follow a successful franchise in a way that will appeal to the masses. Sure, diehard fans would love to see movies centered around their favorite characters, but would the average moviegoer turn out just for Boba Fett?
And there just aren’t a lot of successful movie spinoffs out there. Remember “Catwoman” with Halle Berry? Or the made-for-TV “Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure?” Failed remakes are a lot more common than hits.
Chances are Disney will be careful with any possible Star Wars movies, but there’s a lot of risk in moving outside the main storyline. Star Wars has a broader appeal than many franchises, so it might work, but it’s a definite gamble if Disney decides to take it.
-
I'm probably the only one here old enough to have seen all of them in their original theatrical run. I had Star Wars toys in the '70's. Anyway, I agree with Barry. What good comes from tearing apart the prequels? I think the people who have this idealized and unrealistic memory of the original movies. Mark Hamil wasn't the world's best actor, and a lot of the dialogue was affected and strange.
Just before Return of the Jedi came out, I remember reading a Time Magazine article in a Doctor's office waiting room (it had a big glossy picture of the Rancor monster. I couldn't wait) but in that, George Lucas said he planned to eventually make episodes 1,2,3 and 7,8,9. Of course not during my childhood, but I kept waiting and waiting, and I liked them. Especially episode 3. As to the episodes 7,8,9 maybe he changed his mind more than once about doing that, but they are happening now, and I think it will be fun. I have a son who might be old enough to see episode 7 and be bowled over the way I was with episode 4.
-
I envy parents with kids who will be the perfect age when ep VII hits. A friend of mine has a kid who will be 4 when VII hits, wonder if I can tag along just to see a kid watching a SW movie for the first time.
-
I remember around 1999 I didn't see The Phantom Menace in theaters, but I was pretty aware of it via merchandising and I even dressed up as Anakin and my older sister dressed as "Queen Amidala" for Halloween. Revenge of the Sith is the only Star Wars I've seen in theaters that I can recall. I've been to movie theaters when I was pretty young, but at one point during my childhood they used to scare me until my family got me to see Elf in a theater.