Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Pre-release)

[JBReplicas]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I'm just happy that after 280 pages of speculation we finally have some darned set photos

 

[Darth Lars]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Some kind of ranch with that raised structure and the fence? Anyway, I LOVE what I'm seeing.

The gate in the fence has been identified as being from one of Ralph McQuarrie's concept paintings for Return of the Jedi - the gateway to a market outside Jabba's palace. The same type of designs that are on the roof are inside the market in the concept paintings.

Since the images were posted and the gateway was identified, Lucasfilm has tweeted a couple of the concept paintings.

BTW, I can spot a moisture evaporator among these pics...

That Sign reads "WARNING" in Aurebesh, followed by some number. Though someone can't spell as there's a glyph for "ng" (Nen) which should have been used instead of "Nern" and "Grek"

That rule wasn't followed when making the signs for the prequels either...

 

[Raphael Argus]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I think the problem here is that we are seeing images without any real context, and this generates all kinds of opinions without any finished product. Unrecognizable architecture, no droids, etc. Do we really think they are gonna show us any really good stuff at this point? This is likely Tatooine, but perhaps a very distant province? Do we know what time frame this is in? Is it a flashback or in current time? This could just be background stuff.


We just gotta relax and let this all unfold at it's own speed.

 

[Bryancd]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I'm gonna offer a piece of advice right now:

Stop. Following. The. News.

Seriously. All the pre-release hype...just unplug from it. don't let your expectations be set. Other than stuff like casting decisions, I keep myself in a media blackout for these films. It doesn't always help me enjoy the film, but at least I don't think "Oh man! This is gonna be AWESOME!" and then end up disappointed when it wasn't. I maintain that folks should approach these films with equal measures of skepticism and optimism. It's fine to hope it's good, but recognize that the world is simply...different...from how it was in the days of the OT and its immediate aftermath. The Star Wars of 2015 will not be the Star Wars of 1980, nor even the Star Wars of 2005. This will be something else entirely, with the same name and some of the same characters.

JJ's probably the best guy to bring these films to the big screen other than, maybe, Joss Whedon, but even so, it will not be the same as it was in the good ol' days.

So, my advice is to unplug or pick and choose what you tune into, don't obsessively focus on every little detail in advance, and just see the film with as fresh a set of eyes as you can.

HELL NO. Seeing this stuff, the discoveries, the speculation, IS fandom, at least for me. To sit around trying to avoid stuff for the next 18 months seems pretty pointless and dull. People need to be responsible and rational enough to manage their own expectations. That's on them. And if you really suffer from an inability to mange your own expectations, you have severe impulse control issues as well.

 

[Solo4114]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

HELL NO. Seeing this stuff, the discoveries, the speculation, IS fandom, at least for me. To sit around trying to avoid stuff for the next 18 months seems pretty pointless and dull. People need to be responsible and rational enough to manage their own expectations. That's on them. And if you really suffer from an inability to mange your own expectations, you have severe impulse control issues as well.

Yeah, well...I think a lot of fans have severe impulse control issues.

Personally, I just like to go in as a blank slate. I'm fine hypothesizing, but I don't really go for intensely scrutinizing or all the pre-release hype, and that applies to all manner of things, from TV shows, to films, to video games, to novels.. The occasional glimpse here and there, I'm cool with. But I'd rather avoid the hype machine otherwise and just judge it fresh. I regularly skip the "next week on..." previews for TV shows, even. I'd rather just...you know...watch the thing when it's done.

 

[Edwardowan]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

perhaps its Tosche Station or Anchorhead! both mentioned in New Hope but never seen.. .would be a great tie in to the OT!

and this unused Return of the Jedi Ralph McQuarrie painting (as mentioned by others below) would also suggest Tattooine being a dark cloaked Luke traveled to Jabba's Palace on Tatooine. the architecture in that photo is a striking resemblance to the concept painting.

I think the problem here is that we are seeing images without any real context, and this generates all kinds of opinions without any finished product. Unrecognizable architecture, no droids, etc. Do we really think they are gonna show us any really good stuff at this point? This is likely Tatooine, but perhaps a very distant province? Do we know what time frame this is in? Is it a flashback or in current time? This could just be background stuff.


We just gotta relax and let this all unfold at it's own speed.

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I'm gonna offer a piece of advice right now:

Stop. Following. The. News.

Seriously. All the pre-release hype...just unplug from it. don't let your expectations be set. Other than stuff like casting decisions, I keep myself in a media blackout for these films. It doesn't always help me enjoy the film, but at least I don't think "Oh man! This is gonna be AWESOME!" and then end up disappointed when it wasn't. I maintain that folks should approach these films with equal measures of skepticism and optimism. It's fine to hope it's good, but recognize that the world is simply...different...from how it was in the days of the OT and its immediate aftermath. The Star Wars of 2015 will not be the Star Wars of 1980, nor even the Star Wars of 2005. This will be something else entirely, with the same name and some of the same characters.

JJ's probably the best guy to bring these films to the big screen other than, maybe, Joss Whedon, but even so, it will not be the same as it was in the good ol' days.

So, my advice is to unplug or pick and choose what you tune into, don't obsessively focus on every little detail in advance, and just see the film with as fresh a set of eyes as you can.

That is probably very good advice for some.

However, there are some like myself, that consider a large portion of the fun regarding Star Wars to be all the hype around it. I stay away from plot spoilers, but I'm all in on everything else. I'm ready to purchase my Episode VII shirt, and go to Toys R Us at midnight for the merchandise. I hope some fast food place has collectible glasses.

The Force is strong with this one.

 

[Solo4114]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

That is probably very good advice for some.

However, there are some like myself, that consider a large portion of the fun regarding Star Wars to be all the hype around it. I stay away from plot spoilers, but I'm all in on everything else. I'm ready to purchase my Episode VII shirt, and go to Toys R Us at midnight for the merchandise. I hope some fast food place has collectible glasses.

The Force is strong with this one.

And hey, that's cool too, if that's your thing and you can temper your excitement to the point where, if this movie is JUST a pretty good movie, and not ZOMGTEHBESTESTSTARWARZEVAR!!!!!11!!! you'll still be happy. But I do think that a big part of the problem with the PT came from the pre-release hype, particularly with TPM.


I just find that I end up enjoying movies more when I don't know a ton of stuff going in, and I can judge them on their own merits. I enjoy the speculating about plotlines and who'll be cast, but outside of that, I'd rather not get into it too much. And particularly for big spectacle movies, I'd rather not, you know, open a story about the film and see some awesome design that will now be familiar by the time I see the film itself.


To be honest, I suppose my capacity to be a really intense fan has just...diminished over time and as a result of repeated disappointments. I just don't get as excited about this stuff as I used to. I'm happy for it, but it's not the HOLY **** THIS WILL BE AWESOME sense I used to get.

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

To be honest, I suppose my capacity to be a really intense fan has just...diminished over time and as a result of repeated disappointments. I just don't get as excited about this stuff as I used to. I'm happy for it, but it's not the HOLY **** THIS WILL BE AWESOME sense I used to get.

That was my feeling for a while too, but now I'm at a point where, after the prequel dissapointment, and the pain of the special editions, I think I have been toughened up enough that this movie couldn't possibly hurt me, even if it was the worst movie ever made and dominated the razzies.

So I'm going to fully enjoy the hype no matter what, because getting all worked up for a new Star Wars movie is something I positively KNOW will be enjoyed!

 

[joshvanrad]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

That was my feeling for a while too, but now I'm at a point where, after the prequel dissapointment, and the pain of the special editions, I think I have been toughened up enough that this movie couldn't possibly hurt me, even if it was the worst movie ever made and dominated the razzies.

So I'm going to fully enjoy the hype no matter what, because getting all worked up for a new Star Wars movie is something I positively KNOW will be enjoyed!

This is very similar to where I'm at. This movie could suck, but I'll still always have the OT. But until I see the movie I'm not going to set the bar anywhere.

Do I believe that this movie will be good? Yeah. But will I go into a depression if it isn't? No, I'm ready for whatever it is.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

perhaps its Tosche Station or Anchorhead! both mentioned in New Hope but never seen.. .would be a great tie in to the OT!

and this unused Return of the Jedi Ralph McQuarrie painting (as mentioned by others below) would also suggest Tattooine being a dark cloaked Luke traveled to Jabba's Palace on Tatooine. the architecture in that photo is a striking resemblance to the concept painting.
View attachment 333255

I love seeing that! That's one of my favorite RM paintings because it looks like a cool place to visit. I'm not thrilled about Pigzilla though. They need to take that thing and the Muppet from the JJ video and toss them out an airlock.

 

[Zombie_61]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

...And I am not really sure if I really have to revisit Tatooine again. I mean, all of the main characters wanted to get off that boring rock. What makes it so damn special that they are drawn back to it again and again?

"Tatooine" is to Star Wars what "fixed points in space and time" is to Doctor Who; some things are permanent whether you like it or not. :lol

 

[NeoRutty]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I like em, and I DEFINITELY would take those real world muppets over that giant frog thing that worked at the 50's diner in Attack of the Clones.

I love seeing that! That's one of my favorite RM paintings because it looks like a cool place to visit. I'm not thrilled about Pigzilla though. They need to take that thing and the Muppet from the JJ video and toss them out an airlock.

 

[Westies14]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I like em, and I DEFINITELY would take those real world muppets over that giant frog thing that worked at the 50's diner in Attack of the Clones.

I'm so excited about all the poses that that lump of pig creature can't strike, and how much more likely they are to have real people interact with it than CG clone troopers... I never imagined that I could be quite so bored watching the origins of the Star Wars trilogy unfold, but what could be less interesting to watch than this?



I hope he doesn't trip and break his pixels! Poor Ewan.

 

[CutThumb]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Link to the same pictures but in much more detail and larger.
Star Wars: Episode VII set photos reveal 'eerily familiar' desert landscape | Mail Online

Click on the pics to get slide show.

Now its much more possible to see some of the extras are carrying masks (given the number of fresh clean faces in this I think alot of them are supposed to be masked up) and there ARE droids in this ,all be it on a "skip". The landspeeder looks spot on ,there are possibly shield generators in the distance in some shots, and overall, without that TMZ logo everywhere it looks alot better.

 

[gizmo]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I like em, and I DEFINITELY would take those real world muppets over that giant frog thing that worked at the 50's diner in Attack of the Clones.

Me too x1000000

And that pig thing is really growing on me now.

Ben

 

[hansicle]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I asked a friend what he thought of the pics. He said he was underwhelmed. I reminded him that a lot of this stuff might be a blurry backround shot we see for 3 seconds, and not be so quick to judge. I thought they were pretty cool, but I'm surprised there aren't more "aliens" about.....

 

[DaddyfromNaboo]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

"Tatooine" is to Star Wars what "fixed points in space and time" is to Doctor Who; some things are permanent whether you like it or not. :lol

Okay, if we only get to see Tatooine once per trilogy, I can live with that, although I can´t see what could be squeezed out of that dry rock, storytelling-wise. As a screenwriting-simpleton can only come up with lame ideas like "looking for a jedi holocron that Obi-Wan accidentally left in his hutt after it fell behind his sofa" or "need for some 3PO-spare parts that may still lie around Watto´s old shop" or "revisiting Jabba´s crypt for whatever ..."

... I never imagined that I could be quite so bored watching the origins of the Star Wars trilogy unfold, but what could be less interesting to watch than this?

View attachment 333444

I hope he doesn't trip and break his pixels! Poor Ewan.

The practical fx in PM were so damn bad, and even worse in 3D. I couldn´t believe that in 1999 the integration of 3D and model works and especially the photography of model work was that bad, in fact worse than 25 years ago. When I saw PM in 3D two years ago I did not want to believe my eyes how bad it all looked.
And the compositing of Obi-Wan and the almost all-CGI clone trooper, holy moley.

The creatures in Return of the Jedi were done in-house by IIRC Lucasfilm, whereas the ones in ANH and ESB had been outsourced, IIRC. E.g. The Gamorreans look too much like muppets because of the inexperience the ROTJ creature shop had with creating animatronics and creatures. compare then-contemporary Henson movies with ROTJ, and you´öö notice the differences.

I do have high hopes for the Abrams movie, though. And I am warming up for the creatures, although I do share the opinion that it´s not such a great design decision to base the creatures too much on real-life animals.

 

[DaddyfromNaboo]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

It DOES seem to have its advantages to live in a different time zone than most of you guys :lol

FALCON !!!!!!!!!!!! Aaaaand ...

another surprise !!!!!!!!!!!! (which looks a tad bit off ... darn enlarged engines and rounded beak and cockpit ...

Spoiler

just kidding, just a tad bit off, aks the studio scale guys!

'Star Wars Episode 7': Millennium Falcon -- HOLY CRAP!! [SET PHOTOS] | TMZ.com

I can´t help but think that they leak those pics on purpose. Or they have very lax security controls ...

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

What a piece of junk!