Disney buying Lucasfilm (new Star Wars movies on tap)

[Solo4114]

You nailed it. People saying they wanted someone else to direct - I don't recall anyone saying Lucas shouldn't be involved and if they did they are wrong - I especially always wanted to keep it with Lucas, as it is his child - but he works better as the idea man that others more skilled with writing and creating good characters and drama can then add on and play with. We have Empire Strikes Back as proof of that.

Without Lucas its just fan films.

Yeah? And?

What do you think of the Timothy Zahn books? To me, those are "my" Episodes VII through IX. To me, they felt like the Star Wars universe I grew up with and wanted to see more of. I suppose, though, they're just "fan fiction" because Lucas himself didn't write 'em?

 

[Too Much Garlic]

I don't know, I don't read fan fiction or EU books.

 

[aeonpulse]

Speaking of Timothy Zahn, looks like we can forget about them using any of the EU stuff for the new films.

'Star Wars' sequel 'not based on Timothy Zahn novels' - Movies News - Digital Spy

 

[Pwrsrce]

Here's another thing to ruminate on...

For all of us old timers that love the OT, there are MILLIONS of new Star Wars fans that prefer, PREFER the Prequel's!!! Can you believe it?!?!



Disney truly is a great fit to continue the adventures for that generation. My son will be 5 when episode 7 hits theaters. I cannot wait to experience that with him.

J

 

[jlee562]

Speaking of Timothy Zahn, looks like we can forget about them using any of the EU stuff for the new films.

'Star Wars' sequel 'not based on Timothy Zahn novels' - Movies News - Digital Spy

I really wish they would at least steal Thrawn.

 

[gomcse]

You know, if they can pull off SW Ep. 7, 8, and 9 the way they did The Avengers, then I'm all in.

Dave

 

[squirk]

All true, and it raises an interesting issue with respect to creative control: the business vs. art split. WITH THIS PROPERTY SPECIFICALLY I'd be thinking more along the lines of it being good to have a bit more "business savvy" in the process. Lucas' own "artistic" approach (or at least singular vision) was the SOLE guiding force behind the PT. It seems that Lucas' vision was heavily present in KOTCS, too. In both cases, I would submit, it is the strength of the brand itself that carried the day, rather than the films being genuinely good films. There was also a LOT of backlash in the fan community, which continues to this day.

Absolutely. Again, I'm in no way defending the quality of GL's direction or screenwriting, nor am I arguing the merits of GL's merchandising decisions. But regardless of their merits or marketing, the films were pure, unadulterated GL.

I guess that is what makes me a little sad about the deal. How often do you get a mega-tentpole series of films where the writer/director has complete creative and artistic freedom, with no forced compromises, no studio interference, no budget constraints, no deadlines whatsoever?

Maybe that kind of autonomy is good in some cases, bad in others. But either way, it's rare that we the audience get to "mainline" a creator's vision like that.

 

[Bryancd]

Why do rehashes of the EU books? Bring us new content.

 

[tkid2895]

You're so right Art. Disney does not mess around with copyrights they own and could crack down hard on the costuming and prop community.

nah I believe if anything they will strengthen the costuming community such as the 501st
people dont like messing with groups that do such huge fund raising it makes them (the corparation such as disney) look bad in the publics eye.

 

[cboath]

Personally, I think the original plan was 9 movies and that there was at least a story idea for 7-9 in the 80's. As for the prequels, i think he liked the back story a lot more than the sequel story and went with that and then upon realizing it's a decade long procedure to put them out said this is the last time.

I've been digging threw magazines and have never found it, but there's an interview with him where he's asked about 7-9 and he says 'it's there if I want to do it', but goes on to state but it's basically here's what luke does now. Other than his history, there's nothing that ties it back to 1-6.

 

[micdavis]

Why do rehashes of the EU books? Bring us new content.

Nothing else will do.

I don't not want a story, I already know.

 

[Bryancd]

Yeah, I mean I love the EU but what's the point assembling a creative team just to parrot some else's work from the late '90's? GL never paid attention to canon because he wanted to be free to tell the story his way, not Tim Zahn's way. That should be the course for the future of the franchise.

 

[Edwardowan]

this article should clear things up for the most part

Disney unlikely to change 'Star Wars' brand - Yahoo! News

...The Walt Disney Co. has earned credibility with diehard fans by keeping its fingerprints off important film franchises like those produced by its Marvel Entertainment and Pixar divisions.
"They've been pretty clearly hands-off in terms of letting the creative minds of those companies do what they do best," says Todd Juenger, an analyst with Bernstein Research. "Universally, people think they pulled it off."
...It's in Disney's best interest to maintain the integrity of film franchises that come with a built-in fan base. Disney chief Iger has said the plan is for "Star Wars" live-action movies to replace others that may be in development, and to keep its production slate at a modest 7 to 10 movies per year.
"I think Disney's intention is that it just doesn't want to get in the way of a great asset," said Morningstar analyst Michael Corty.

 

[Tremas]

 

[Mr Webber]

Looking foward to new stories and a new vision from a new crew.

Thanks for everything George, even the stuff I wasnt happy with, at the end of the day you did it. Take a picture of the four million stacks of thousand dollar bundles in a warehouse to go with the one with you and the props from the OT and have your people post it everywhere, it would say everything you cant say.

I think Disney got it cheap.

 

[NakedMoleRat]

JJ Abrams was seen at the front gate of Disney this morning with a sign, "I've never really liked Trek! PLEASE let me do Star Wars!"

 

[jlee562]

this article should clear things up for the most part

Disney unlikely to change 'Star Wars' brand - Yahoo! News

...The Walt Disney Co. has earned credibility with diehard fans by keeping its fingerprints off important film franchises like those produced by its Marvel Entertainment and Pixar divisions.
"They've been pretty clearly hands-off in terms of letting the creative minds of those companies do what they do best," says Todd Juenger, an analyst with Bernstein Research. "Universally, people think they pulled it off."
...It's in Disney's best interest to maintain the integrity of film franchises that come with a built-in fan base. Disney chief Iger has said the plan is for "Star Wars" live-action movies to replace others that may be in development, and to keep its production slate at a modest 7 to 10 movies per year.
"I think Disney's intention is that it just doesn't want to get in the way of a great asset," said Morningstar analyst Michael Corty.

Good, measured, read.

For those worried about a Disney "crackdown" on replicas and other RPF related stuff, it doesn't seem to me like Disney has been really harsh on say, Iron Man suits...not judging by the sheer amount of IM builds here anyway.

 

[El Duderino]

 

[Edwardowan]

interesting and I thought about that too but it would be out of character for Luke to go to the dark side after all he sacrificed and went through. I would be disappointed if the story was about Luke becoming a Sith.

 

[Paul Andrew]

It's kind of funny. Periodically I'd muse about the possibility of EP VII and beyond, even after George KOed the idea. I always came back to one thing that made me sure eventually, one way or another, it would happen. Because if it didn't they'd be leaving A ******* FORTUNE on the table. Too much money to be made from it to not happen.