Dear Disney, I was wrong.

[Art Andrews]

When the news broke that you had acquired Lucasfilm, the company that played a large role in defining my childhood as well as my adult life (look at the site I am posting this on), I was devastated. Let me be frank; I don't like you very much. I don't like your approach to business, your approach to franchises, or your approach to fans. To be fair and honest, George Lucas had all but killed Star Wars for me with many of the horrendous decision made in the prequels, culminating in the travesty that was Episode III (don't make me pull out the Franken-Vader clip), but still, I love Star Wars and probably always will. It has survived, largely due to the fans and Lucasfilm's handling of the fans for well over 30 years. But soon after Episode III we saw a tremendous drop off in Star Wars within all the circles I frequent and I even declared Star Wars all but dead myself.... and it would have been dead if not for you.

When you acquired Lucasfilm, I felt like that was the final nail in the coffin. When you announced new movies, I wasn't moved very much. When you announced Rebels, I cringed and felt like you were giving us nothing but the horribly predictable homogenized crap we are used to seeing from you...

Last night the first real photos from Episode 7 "leaked." Now, I don't know if that was your doing or if they really did leak, but for the first time, we got to see what you were up to, and it is amazing. Now, I am not going to predict the success or failure of an entire movie on two photos, but you are headed in the right direction! More importantly, the release/leak of those two photos brought the Star Wars fans out of the depths like fresh blood draws a hungry shark, and with it brought a TREMENDOUS amount of insider information about what you are really up to with out beloved franchise. If even a tenth of what I have read and been told is true, you are the best thing to happen to Star Wars since the Empire Strikes Back! As much as I appreciate "the creator," he could have never put together the plan you have for this franchise and YOU will be the ones that carry it on and truly pass it to future generations as well as help some of us who are getting a little older fall in love with it all over again.

With all of that said, I have one last thing to say; thank you, Disney. Thank you for pulling the franchise that I love out of the murky obscurity that it had been slipping into. Thank you for breathing new life into it and giving it a new direction. I am sure I won't love every step along the way, but I am truly coming to appreciate your overarching vision and what you are providing us fans.



A fan you are very quickly winning over.


PS. Hurry up with the Boba Fett movie.

 

[Contec]

And after episode 7 they will start taking action to all the " fansites" using their property...

 

[dascoyne]

I've said before my personal SW canon is comprised of Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back ... that is all. In my mind and heart that has been the most satisfying vision.
While I've placed myself on spoiler/leak/info lockdown I have gotten whiffs of things that give me hope (a "new" hope, perhaps?).

 

[drcraig13]

I think the term cautiously optimistic works here.

 

[Apollo]

Pics or it never happened!

 

[NeoRutty]

I like that they are handling Star Wars like with Marvel... put the right people in place, with a love for the content, and let them do what they need to do.

let the FANS make movies... the talented fans.

Let the fans build the props (R2 club)

Hire a guy I've loved since I saw the pilot of Felicity (of all things) head up the first of the new movies...

I wasn't on board at first... same as you... but when they put JJ at the helm and released that first round table script read photo... I knew it was going to be great.

 

[stormtrooperguy]

I think the term cautiously optimistic works here.

Indeed, but throwing caution to the wind more and more.

 

[Wes R]

I have high hopes but i also know how heavy handed disney can be so it's only a matter of time before they go after fans and fan sites.

 

[CutThumb]

The thing to remember is just HOW STRONGLY the original trilogy influenced the current generations of film makers. They are the people who always wanted to make their own Star Wars movies, ones that recaptured the magic that those first films had on so many of us. The failure of the prequels to match that experience has produced people determined NOT to repeat that disappointment. When I look at how the franchise is being managed all I can see it positive themes. They are hiring the directors that dreamed about do this for decades, the writers that wanted that universe to be born again as wild and imaginative as it used to be, the designers, the prop makers etc the list for whom working on these films is the high point of their career is huge, and they ALL want to make a great SW movie. There is alot of love going into this, collaboration across all fronts because everyone needs, with the desperation of those many thwarted wishes, to see that kind of thrilling galatic adventure live again. And the powers to be recognise the best way to recreate such a thing is to give it to those that care about it the most.

 

[dascoyne]

I want spaceships and tech to look weathered again.
I miss grime.
I miss actual banter.
It was more interesting before we found out everybody was related and every character's past was linked. I hate it when franchises feel compelled to pull everybody's past together.

 

[Darth Fetty]

With all this excitement, for the first time in a long time today, I watched the old Star Wars movies. I normally would only watch them on special occasions since I don't want to saturate myself with them, and it's probably been 4-5 years since last watching them, but today was definitely the right day, and I've been on such a pleasant Star Wars high.

Now I want to get even more nostalgic and find an old N64 and play Shadows of the Empire and Rogue Squadron. Such a good time to be a fan.

(fingers crossed these movies don't disappoint, but I'm trying to maintain realistic expectations)

 

[Edwardowan]

Amen Brother! As long as Disney is more hands off and lets their acquired film studio "Lucasfilm" do their job like they know how it will be really awesome! (I think we can thank Kathleen Kennedy for a lot of what is happening!)

 

[rodneyfaile]

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

I was onboard until the supposed Stormtrooper helmet leaked. Now I'm very worried.

 

[Westies14]

Art, well said! That choked me up a bit. I love the plot details that Latino review posted today. The story sounds cool, and JJ can handle character with the best of them. I'd say it's his main strength. We might be in for some really good star wars!

 

[hansicle]

I wasn't too enthusiastic about the new films either. It seemed like a pipe dream, but over the last few months, and with the release of some of the images.....it's got me a little excited

 

[Zombie_61]

I think the term cautiously optimistic works here.

I concur. I haven't seen anything that I've disliked yet, but it's still too early in waiting game for me to dismiss my pessimism.

 

[dbuck]

They seem to be trying very, very hard to make sure it's not prequel-esque. When it comes out it will not satisfy everyone, but I have moved from the 'I hope it's good' more towards the 'this might be really good' if it comes together properly.

 

[Laspector]

I am a cynic and pessimist by nature, but I will admit I like what I see so far, BUT seeing cool props is no more than seeing a cool trailer--don't mean jack unless the movie is good. Lest we forget, the trailer for Episode 1 was awesome. Wanting to see a new good Star Wars movie, for me, is almost like wanting to believe in Santa Claus again. As much as I want it, it is just so hard to believe it will actually be great. Please please please please let my cold hearted soul be wrong!!!!!!!

 

[Wolfsburg]

I'm willing to give Disney and Kennedy the benefit of a doubt until they give me a reason not to. I figure, at the least, these can't help but be better than the PT!