Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Pre-release)

[Jet Beetle]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Swapping Shaw with Christensen was a continuity issue in that it created a situation that required an ex-post-facto dodge on why it "wasn't" a problem. And the explanation was a load of horsepucky anyway.

Showing a young MacGregor would be the exact same issue, and would require a similar dodge.


Really, though, I think you have to ask yourself WHY "glowie Obi-Wan" would show up in the first place. These stories aren't going to be about the OT characters -- they'll be about new characters with the OT characters being involved. Including characters like Obi-Wan is pointless anyway. I mean, unless Luke calls him up and he's like "Who's the new guy? Didn't I teach you enough to start teaching other people YOURSELF? I'm going back to bed. Damn kids..."

I don't think they would show a YOUNG Obi Wan and regardless of what the prequels did or didn't do Ewan IS Obi Wan now. Aging him up and having him talk to Luke wouldn't cause the universe to explode - Now, if JAR JAR shows up then we have a major issue.

And as for your last point - You don't know any of that - No one but the people in the House of Mouse have any clue as to what shape these new films are taking. Personally, the more Luke, Leia and Han - the better (to me). I'm hoping Luke plays a major part in the new movie as the last Jedi trying his best to get the order going again. Maybe Obi Wan shows up for guidance - I mean, training these guys used to be Yoda's job and now it's fallen to Luke "Pass on what you know..." But there hasn't been any definitive statement on how big the OT characters parts are - it's all speculation at this point.

 

[SofaKing01]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Disney did create a very realistic (not perfect - but DANG close) digital younger Jeff Bridges for Tron 2... they might do the same for Alex Guiness / Old Ben... I also think Luke will become a Force ghost much like Old Ben. At some point, Luke might have to sacrifice himself to save "whomever"...

hmmmm... I'm really excited about Ep VII! LOL

 

[SofaKing01]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

...the Qui-Gon shimmer...

Man... that sounds like a REALLY bad dance move performed in Jabba's Palace!

 

[Solo4114]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I don't think they would show a YOUNG Obi Wan and regardless of what the prequels did or didn't do Ewan IS Obi Wan now. Aging him up and having him talk to Luke wouldn't cause the universe to explode - Now, if JAR JAR shows up then we have a major issue.

And as for your last point - You don't know any of that - No one but the people in the House of Mouse have any clue as to what shape these new films are taking. Personally, the more Luke, Leia and Han - the better (to me). I'm hoping Luke plays a major part in the new movie as the last Jedi trying his best to get the order going again. Maybe Obi Wan shows up for guidance - I mean, training these guys used to be Yoda's job and now it's fallen to Luke "Pass on what you know..." But there hasn't been any definitive statement on how big the OT characters parts are - it's all speculation at this point.

You're right. I don't know any of that, any more than you know that it's going to work out to have the film chock full of the OT characters.

Personally, I just don't have a lot of faith that they can effectively pull off bringing the OT characters into these films while simultaneously handing over the reins to new characters. They won't strike the balance effectively, I suspect. I suppose it could be done. I just don't think anyone WILL do it. Coming from that perspective, I'd prefer as little OT character involvement as possible. If I want the OT, I'll watch the OT -- well, once they give me an archival version of the OOT, that is.

 

[Laspector]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I could deal with Luke playing the Ben-type mentor role. I'm sure Mark Hammil could get into decent enough shape, after all he is playing someone who is his own age! It's really Han and Leia who I think should just be cameos at best. There is just no use for them that I can see.

As for Ewan--I agree he was the best actor in the entire prequel series. IMHO he is the only person in the whole mess who actually sounded like he was "talking" and not just reading lines. If they use him as a Force ghost or hologram I can handle it. Alec is gone and we just have to deal with it. But yeah, if Force Ghost, he should be made up as much like Alec as possible.

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I think Luke is going to BE a force ghost early on.

I doubt it...and i don't think he should be. The mentor helping the hero as a ghost has already been done...time for something new.

Those older characters have to die sometime for the new generation to take over. It does sound very similar to the originals, but perhaps they could put in a plot twist to give a fresh take on it, such as how he dies and who is seeing his force ghost.

 

[Jedi Dade]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I think that at least for the first movie the OT character will be central, perhaps with some sort of dual threat where the "kids" must participate. during whatever this is the OT characters will somehow be neutralized, and the new stars will save the day... let the new toy lines commence.

Personally I'd like to see Luke as the wizened master, that dusts off the saber to save the day.

But at a convention back in the early 90's Mark Hamill relayed a story about a conversation He and Lucas had about his thoughts on him passing the lightsaber to the next generation... Whatever Lucas had in mind for that is my bet what this movie will be based on...

Jedi Dade

 

[ixtore]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

The open ended line, "There is another" - meaning Leia - never came to anything in IV, V or VI. There might be something there to use.
I doubt Abrams will throw Leia, Luke and Han at us in a way that will feel forced. He handled Nimoy's involvement in Star Trek 2009 pretty well - didn't lead with him - didn't beat us over the head with him. There are some smart minds working on this and I doubt it will be anything but a great entertainment if not a solid opening to a new chapter in the Star Wars saga. My personal speculation is that this will be the event we were waiting for when Episode 1 hit and (for me) fizzled. And hey - it's Star Wars!

 

[SofaKing01]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I think that at least for the first movie the OT character will be central, perhaps with some sort of dual threat where the "kids" must participate. during whatever this is the OT characters will somehow be neutralized, and the new stars will save the day...

I think you might be on to something... I would like to think that the OT characters will play an equal role with the new characters in the 1st film. With Luke's guidance, the children (late teens - much like Luke was) will be thrust into a life or death situation... and again... I can't help but think Han Solo is going to be killed off. If they follow the books (which I never read) and use Han and Leia's children, Han's death could create a situation where one child seeks revenge and is suddenly thrusted toward and is manipulated by the dark side of the Force... Thus creating the ultimate sibling rivalry! Maybe? Mostly?

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I hope they don't mention midichlorians, but still, even in the originals it was implied that force abilities are often inherited. That being the case, I would like it if we could move on to feature characters who aren't Skywalkers. There is a whole galaxy out there. Don't have to keep it in the family.

 

[SofaKing01]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I just thought of something... if they do kill off a major character like Han Solo... then it makes sense that the stand alone films might focus on a younger Han Solo. So... they're not really killing him off, they are setting the stage for all new adventures?

 

[jme3]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

My personal speculation is that this will be the event we were waiting for when Episode 1 hit and (for me) fizzled.

You and me both. I can clearly remember seeing Ep. I in '99 and when it was over, a guy in the next aisle stood up to leave and just looked at the screen and said, "THAT was Star Wars...??" And with little exception, that's been my thought throughout the prequels. These sequels are to me a redemptive opportunity and I honestly think they're in very good hands so far. :thumbsup

 

[Solo4114]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

For me....there is no redemption of the franchise. You can't "undo" the prequels, and they really damaged my enjoyment of the franchise as a whole. I've managed to wall them off in my mind, but I cannot help but be concerned that future projects will hew more towards those films, or will just be entertaining blockbusters without having the deeper connection for me. At this point, I don't know that I even CAN feel a deeper connection to the franchise, although I can for the (original) original films.

My worry is that this will just be like any other Hollywood project, and that they'll go for the lowest hanging fruit by shoving in all manner of old characters, and callbacks to previous films, and otherwise relying on CGI and f/x to carry the day. This franchise is capable of much, much more than that, but I've gotten excited too and been disappointed too many times to think it'll live up to its potential. At best, I'm hoping for an entertaining film...but I'm not expecting Star Wars. Basically, much like my experience of Star Trek 2009. An entertaining film, but it isn't Star Trek.

 

[jme3]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

This franchise is capable of much, much more than that, but I've gotten excited too and been disappointed too many times to think it'll live up to its potential. At best, I'm hoping for an entertaining film...but I'm not expecting Star Wars. Basically, much like my experience of Star Trek 2009. An entertaining film, but it isn't Star Trek.

I think the reason we didn't get the "much, much more" that Star Wars was/is capable of sold his company last October, and now, the one thing that we die-hard OT fans have b*****d and moaned about for more than a decade has come to pass: Star Wars is finally in someone else's hands, and I believe in the case of JJ Abrams, someone who truly and clearly LOVES Star Wars like we do. You know, for all his brilliance in the past, GL couldn't even point to one of the Vader suits, for example, and tell you which movie it was from. I've heard the man refer to Lando Calrissian as Landau Calrissian. And this, from the creator of Star Wars. It was the trifles and trivialities like those, along with the inane retro-tinkering, that made people feel like GL had lost focus or just didn't "care" about Star Wars anymore. Now that he's gone, we've all (or mostly all) gotten what we've dreamed of. As for JJ's messing up Star Trek, he's admitted himself than he never really liked or even "got" Star Trek. I think he found it plodding and probably thought a lot of others did as well; therefore the amped up Star Wars-esque makeover for that franchise.

Of course, absolutely none of this is to say we'll get what we're looking for in these sequels. Disappointments are bound to be out there for some. But at long last I can hope again for a Star Wars experience that's at least quasi reminiscent of the OT.

 

[Solo4114]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I think the reason we didn't get the "much, much more" that Star Wars was/is capable of sold his company last October, and now, the one thing that we die-hard OT fans have b*****d and moaned about for more than a decade has come to pass: Star Wars is finally in someone else's hands, and I believe in the case of JJ Abrams, someone who truly and clearly LOVES Star Wars like we do. You know, for all his brilliance in the past, GL couldn't even point to one of the Vader suits, for example, and tell you which movie it was from. I've heard the man refer to Lando Calrissian as Landau Calrissian. And this, from the creator of Star Wars. It was the trifles and trivialities like those, along with the inane retro-tinkering, that made people feel like GL had lost focus or just didn't "care" about Star Wars anymore. Now that he's gone, we've all (or mostly all) gotten what we've dreamed of. As for JJ's messing up Star Trek, he's admitted himself than he never really liked or even "got" Star Trek. I think he found it plodding and probably thought a lot of others did as well; therefore the amped up Star Wars-esque makeover for that franchise.

Of course, absolutely none of this is to say we'll get what we're looking for in these sequels. Disappointments are bound to be out there for some. But at long last I can hope again for a Star Wars experience that's at least quasi reminiscent of the OT.

Well said, and good for folks like me to keep in mind.

 

[jme3]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Well said, and good for folks like me to keep in mind.

:thumbsup Let's keep hope alive. This next movie is the make-or-break only chance we'll have...

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

:thumbsup Let's keep hope alive. This next movie is the make-or-break only chance we'll have...

There is always Episodes X, XI, and XII.

 

[jme3]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

There is always Episodes X, XI, and XII.

If VII flops, there likely won't be.

 

[cboath]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Even if 7 sucks out loud on all accounts, it still won't flop. It'll pass 500M world wide easily.

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

If VII flops, there likely won't be.

It might suck, but it could never flop. I'll go so far as to say, even if VII and VIII suck, there will still be a IX, and it wont flop either. Star Wars is so huge, not even Jar Jar could bring it down. I'm not saying never, I'm just saying the brand is so strong, I can endure a lot of suckage.

I don't think VII will suck though, I think it will be awesome.

Lucas was like an old NFL coach. He was awesome and won the SuperBowl back in his prime, but now the game has changed and left him behind. He had to retire and move on. He has passed the mantle on to someone else. Hopefully they can go out there and bring home the title.

I want Star Wars to return to its former dominance. I remember a time when the debate over BEST MOVE EVER started with automatically admitting that the Star Wars Trilogy was considered one movie and was automatically #1, and the real debate was about the best movie other than Star Wars!