Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Pre-release)

[Too Much Garlic]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

We can do better than Zahn. Aim high, people.

Funny thing, that. Here I was, thinking I had lost all interest and all hope in new stories. Lucas pretty much closed that door by saying he didn't want to make them, so the dream was somewhat lost.

And here I am, back again, with the same kind of hopes and dreams and thoughts of wonder, like I felt all the way back when the news of the prequel trilogy was first announced.

Some part of me is reluctant. Not only because the PT turned out the way it did and the subsequent impossibility of getting the theatrical versions of the OT in good restored quality... but also because... it really IS the end of something unique... but may be the beginning of something great.

This may sound really sappy... but I really have mixed feelings about this. There are so many components required... bringing back the main cast in some capacity... bringing back many of the people who worked on the movies previously, such as John Williams and all the talented people creating the worlds that is Star Wars.

Do we dare dream again... do we dare risk it all and go where we may get disappointed again, but where we could also be pleasantly surprised and having our expectations exceeded and blown away.

Funny how things go. And for now, it seems, the journey continues.

 

[rodneyfaile]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Tron Legacy was better than the prequel trilogy.

 

[darth_myeek]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

First thing I'd do is hire Marcia and the boys from Van Nuys.

 

[JD]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

https://www.facebook.com/EdgarWrightForStarWars?ref=hl

 

[Edwardowan]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

In a different spin.....what would be some legit plot options going forward?...

But where can they go? Or where should they go?

I agree. I am stumped as to what kind of storyline could even be outlined in George Lucas's notes that would be compelling enough to become a continued story and trilogy. it had better be good. I would like to see Luke Skywalker as wise old jedi master but I think it needs to go a little more forward and beyond our original heroes if it is to be one of those "history repeats itself" kind of story lines. If so there needs to be more than 2 Sith. A Sith Army like those of The Old Republic games. More fun that way I would think. I don't want to see the evil bad guy in the shadows twirling his mustache plotting to rule the galaxy... been there with Palpatine.

 

[BDK]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I'm torn in ways on this.

Part of me wants adapations of the Thrawn Trilogy and the X-Wing books. Put on the other hand part of me wants, NEW.

Something new, different and unseen before. Something exciting that we don't know how it'll turn out. Have some of the OT show up, as these grown up figures of whatever comes after the Empire facing new issues that arise with the main characters being the next generation.

 

[Edwardowan]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

No previoulsy published EU. Especially the Thrawn stories... old and dusty! gonna get a lot of haters but I did not like the Zahn books.

 

[JD]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

The Wikipedia page has some useful, if outdated/unreliable info:

The specifics of the story content of Episodes VII to IX has repeatedly been referred to as vague (particularly when compared to the stories for the prequel trilogy of Episodes I to III, which were relatively better defined).[2][3][4][5] But hints that George Lucas gave over the years about the content of the sequel trilogy included the following (sometimes contradictory) possibilities:

• Episode VII would begin roughly 20 (or perhaps 30 or 40) years after the end of Return of the Jedi (according to Lucas in 1980 and 1982).[6][7]
• R2-D2 and C-3PO would be the only characters who might continue through all nine films (Lucas in 1980, 1981 and 1983).[6][8][9]
• The trilogy would deal with the rebuilding of the republic (Lucas in 1980).[10]
• "It's like a saga, the story of a group of people, a family" (Lucas in 1980).[6]
• The focus would be on Luke Skywalker’s journey to becoming the premier Jedi knight, with Luke's sister (who was not Leia) appearing in Episode VIII, and the first appearance of the Emperor, and Luke's ultimate confrontation with him, in Episode IX (a storyline as planned pre-1980, according to A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back producer Gary Kurtz).[2][5][11]
• Luke would have a romantic relationship with a female love interest (Lucas in 1988).[4]
• The main theme of the trilogy would be moral and philosophical problems, such as the necessity for moral choices and the wisdom needed to distinguish right from wrong, justice, confrontation, and passing on what you have learned (Lucas in 1983 and 1989).[3][12]
• The key actors, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, would appear, in their 60s or 70s (Lucas in 1983).[3][13]
• In Episode IX, Hamill would cameo, "like Obi Wan handing the lightsaber down to the next new hope" (according to Hamill, in 2004).[14]

 

[Hedjii72]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

No previoulsy published EU. Especially the Thrawn stories... old and dusty! gonna get a lot of haters but I did not like the Zahn books.

No hate here, my friend. I find them vastly overrated.

 

[Edwardowan]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

interesting stuff... I would think the later ideas would more closely resemble the outline handed over recently. No telling how much has changed or if Lucas reworked any of it in the past few years (or months) to polish and detail it out prior to handing it over. I personally don't care to see an old Han Solo. Hard enough to see an aging Indiana Jones!
I like this as a foundation: The main theme of the trilogy would be moral and philosophical problems, such as the necessity for moral choices and the wisdom needed to distinguish right from wrong, justice, confrontation, and passing on what you have learned (Lucas in 1983 and 1989).

The Wikipedia page has some useful, if outdated/unreliable info:

The specifics of the story content of Episodes VII to IX has repeatedly been referred to as vague (particularly when compared to the stories for the prequel trilogy of Episodes I to III, which were relatively better defined).[2][3][4][5] But hints that George Lucas gave over the years about the content of the sequel trilogy included the following (sometimes contradictory) possibilities:

• Episode VII would begin roughly 20 (or perhaps 30 or 40) years after the end of Return of the Jedi (according to Lucas in 1980 and 1982).[6][7]
• R2-D2 and C-3PO would be the only characters who might continue through all nine films (Lucas in 1980, 1981 and 1983).[6][8][9]
• The trilogy would deal with the rebuilding of the republic (Lucas in 1980).[10]
• "It's like a saga, the story of a group of people, a family" (Lucas in 1980).[6]
• The focus would be on Luke Skywalker’s journey to becoming the premier Jedi knight, with Luke's sister (who was not Leia) appearing in Episode VIII, and the first appearance of the Emperor, and Luke's ultimate confrontation with him, in Episode IX (a storyline as planned pre-1980, according to A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back producer Gary Kurtz).[2][5][11]
• Luke would have a romantic relationship with a female love interest (Lucas in 1988).[4]
• The main theme of the trilogy would be moral and philosophical problems, such as the necessity for moral choices and the wisdom needed to distinguish right from wrong, justice, confrontation, and passing on what you have learned (Lucas in 1983 and 1989).[3][12]
• The key actors, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Harrison Ford as Han Solo and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, would appear, in their 60s or 70s (Lucas in 1983).[3][13]
• In Episode IX, Hamill would cameo, "like Obi Wan handing the lightsaber down to the next new hope" (according to Hamill, in 2004).[14]

 

[archtk]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Did anyone hear the rumor that david lynch was originally intend to direct jedi?

and didnt he make a movie for disney " the straight story"

now he would be awsome for a new star wars story, although some kids might come out of the cinema with nightmares but still he would be awsome.

 

[Sluis Van Shipyards]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I think it's funny seeing all these people screaming "NO EU!!!!" when they're probably the same people who hated the Prequels. A LOT of the EU Stuff was better than the Prequels. I don't think we should have an adaptation of anything in the EU. What I do think is that Lucasfilm should work within and around the EU material like the Clone Wars has done and even incorporate certain things (characters, planets, ships, vehicles, etc.).

As far as characters, I would love to have Luke come back at least as a cameo showing him rebuilding the Jedi. Carrie Fisher could make a cameo as Leia either as head of state or a Jedi (which would be awesome!). Han and Chewie are always gone so they could either say they're gone or have a quick cameo from Ford (maybe as a hologram message). I think if Lucas asked he would possibly do a short thing.

 

[Edwardowan]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I actually like the prequels (not as much as OT of course) but I still say no EU. yes, have an easter egg cameo of an eu ship or character but when I say no EU I mean don't do a frakkin movie based solely on an EU book storyline. why bother doing a movie based on an EU book. lame. I want new exciting fresh and surprising. I don't care to see a trilogy on the Thrawn books that I already read and know all about. its done and doesn't need to be on film. I don't need to see that. what I do want is plot twists, shocking revelations and unpredictable turn of events. We only got that once with Vader revealing he was Luke's father... the rest of the films were straightforward and predictable. When Han told Leia he had a terrible feeling he was never going to see her (the Millenium Falcon) again the Falcon should have been destroyed (Lando too!) or Han dies on Endor. Otherwise why bother with a premonition. instead we get all heroes are safe and the Jub Jub song! (Lucas didn't feel the need to kill a kid's hero off though and I can understand that decision ) I was fully prepared for Luke to sacrifice all when he told Palpatine, "soon I will be dead and you with me..." I believed him too! but in the end RotJ was a big cartoon and no one but the bad guy bites it.

Yes, much of the EU stuff was better than the PT but it would be redundant to release films based on old EU stories. just ew! :sick

I think it's funny seeing all these people screaming "NO EU!!!!" when they're probably the same people who hated the Prequels. A LOT of the EU Stuff was better than the Prequels. I don't think we should have an adaptation of anything in the EU. What I do think is that Lucasfilm should work within and around the EU material like the Clone Wars has done and even incorporate certain things (characters, planets, ships, vehicles, etc.).

As far as characters, I would love to have Luke come back at least as a cameo showing him rebuilding the Jedi. Carrie Fisher could make a cameo as Leia either as head of state or a Jedi (which would be awesome!). Han and Chewie are always gone so they could either say they're gone or have a quick cameo from Ford (maybe as a hologram message). I think if Lucas asked he would possibly do a short thing.

 

[Hedjii72]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I loved the prequels. But No EU, please.

 

[Edwardowan]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I loved the prequels. But No EU, please.

thank you! If I show up at the theater in 2015 and sit through the first SW film in 10 years and its 2 hours of an EU story I read 15 years prior I will be really ticked off! You may as well make a full 2 hour retelling of the Holiday Special! :lol

 

[jcoffman99]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

So does this mean Supershadow was right all along?

 

[NAZGÛL]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I havet gotten excited yet. Im afraid we might end up with something like this:

 

[JD]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Ain't It Cool News: The best in movie, TV, DVD, and comic book news. :

Damon Lindelof and Brad Bird are already set-up as the writer/director team for Star Wars Episode 7.

The reason for this speculation is that there was a spec script project called 1952 that Damon Lindelof sold to Disney recently (see link below).

http://www.firstshowing.net/2012/brad-bird-set-to-direct-damon-lindelofs-1952-not-1906-for-disney/

Some specifics from the First Showing article that might point to my theory:

"Brad Bird and fan-favorite film writer Damon Lindelof are teaming up for a new project at Disney. Bird, coming off of his first live-action with Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol, is set to direct the mysterious large scale sci-fi project 1952. Whether that's just a codename or an actual year related to the story, we're not yet sure, but the project "has multi-platform aspirations" meaning Disney wants it for theme parks, retail stores and theaters. It'll no doubt be a "big tentpole" movie, and with these two storytellers leading the way, it is definitely something to watch for."

So in addition to the new Star Wars films, we have theme park and retail store aspirations? I don't know about you, but this sounds like it could be the next phase of Star Wars via the Disney model.

Again from First Showing:

"Now we know that Brad Bird is definitely on-board to direct, but other than that, still no plot details. Anyone? It sounds like Disney has something on their hands that could be huge, and they're making sure to build it from the ground up properly, with the right talent top to bottom. I just wish we knew any extra details about what it was actually about."

My theory is that 1952 is a codename for Star Wars episode 7, 8, and 9. Just as Blue Harvest was used as a working title to throw the media off when Return of the Jedi was in production.

So why this mysterious project known as 1952 though? Because the title alone seems to refer to the year 1952, just as titles like Kubrick's landmark of science fiction 2001: A Space Odyssey or Wong-kar Wai's romantic sci-fi piece 2046 refer to specific years in which the films take place. What happened in 1952 then that makes this seem logical? What I think is the obvious event is an incident where supposedly some UFOs “buzzed the tower” Maverick and Goose style if you will, over Washington D.C between the days of July 19–20 and July 26–27. This incident, known as the Washington flap, is precisedly the type of project that a writer like Damon Lindelof would seem to be interested in (retro, sci-fi, conspiracy theory-laden, and infused with the American mythology of the UFO phenomenon). Disney’s 1952, if it is actually about this supposed UFO fly-over of Washington DC, sounds interesting. Personally I wouldn’t mind seeing this type of 1950’s UFO paranoia done up in big budget Hollywood style via Brad Bird. The thing is, could it be that Disney, Lucas, Lindelof, and Bird needed a really good cover story to mask their involvement with brand spanking new Star Wars? I think this could very well be a ruse not unlike the Blue Harvest concept, which was very thorough in covering up the production of Return of the Jedi.

Another factor is that Mark Hamill was born on September 25th of 1951. I'm guessing that since this story will probably have Luke as the Obi-Wan type of mentor as many around the world are suggesting, that it was a cute little Lindelofian trick to throw people by having the fake title be of a year so close to both Luke Skywalker's birthday and the implication of a possible movie connection to the Washington D.C. UFO fly-over. Lindelof and Disney figured it would be a better ruse to switch the year of this fictitious film from 1951 to 1952, so as to steer speculation towards the UFO fly-by concept.

Oh, and we can’t forget that Qui-Gon, I mean Liam Neeson, was born in 1952. Perhaps a connection, or maybe I’ve watched Aliens too many times and the ping ping ping of the motion tracker has driven me insane?

Again, they're already setting up a whole trilogy that kicks off in 2015, which unless Star Wars Episode 7 is a holiday theatrical release ala Bond or The Hobbit, that leaves only about two-and-a-half years for Disney and the new Kathleen Kennedy captained Lucasfilm to get a script finished to a polished state, put into production, posted (in 3D), and released. For all we know, it is likely that the script has been written and polished and Brad Bird is directing while Lindelof is involved in some capacity as a producer at this point. Pre-production could very well be underway if we look at this current time table of about two years from now as a release date. We're at the end of October 2012. Let's say Star Wars episode 7 is going to be released in the middle of summer, say mid-July. That leaves only two more months for 2012 (minus a couple weeks for all the holiday loss of productivity). Then another 28-30 months if they were to release in mid-July 2015. After all, you’ve got to leave time for prints and marketing and director and writer/producer hyping and interviews). Even if Disney throws money at this, it is not something they will take lightly, as getting Episode 7 drastically wrong will be a huge problem for them and future plans to grow Star Wars into an even bigger cash-eating wormhole, er, I mean fiscally sound investment in intellectual property.

So I'd say this also could explain how Disney already has the basics worked out in terms of being able to announce Episodes 7-9 and more Star Wars films after those every two to three years apart. I wager that Lindelof sat down with George Lucas months ago after his Prometheus work ended, and hashed out the basic story structure for this new trilogy, and perhaps even some of the ideas for stuff that comes after. Just like he sat alongside Ridley Scott and rewrote John Spaihts' Alien Engineers* script, which became a film many of us talkbackers love to ***** and moan about, Prometheus.

---

 

[jcoffman99]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

Wow. There are some horrible jumps in logic in that theory. I'm not discounting that Bird/Lindelof are involved, but man there's some reaching there.

Might as well say hmmm 1952... 1 plus 9 is ten minus 5 is 5 plus 2 is SEVEN

 

[angelhabid]

Re: Star Wars Episode VII

I like the idea of episodes 7-9 but not one very 2-3 years after that, My grandson will be looking for chapter 24th... it will be like the bond movies...