JJ ABRAHMS to Direct Star Wars Episode VII

[Dr. Madd]

I oppose any further Star wars films, especially without Lucas's involvement. Why?  Despite his faults, Lucas understood the mythos behind it. Now that the rat has control of it- Disney- Any further films would not only be anti-climactic, but lacking in soul.

[zombiehorror]

I oppose any further Star wars films, especially without Lucas's involvement. Why?  Despite his faults, Lucas understood the mythos behind it. Now that the rat has control of it- Disney- Any further films would not only be anti-climactic, but lacking in soul.

Man you have got to get out more.....have you seen the prequels?!  Talk about lack of soul!?  Talk about not understanding the mythos!?  Talk about not even the basic knowledge of what made the original trilogy so great in the first place!

Midichlorians...Anyone!?

[DoctorDeath]

I don't see what that matters?!  The Journal of the Whills, which became The Star Wars, which became Adventures of Luke Starkiller, as taken from the Journal of the Whills, Saga I: The Star Wars, back to The Star Wars and finally Star Wars.  By the time Lucas got the point of calling it Star Wars he was envisioning a multi-film franchise, even the the basis of the prequel(s) was mentioned back in 1977.

"In an interview with Rolling Stone in August 1977, he said that he wanted his friends to each take a turn at directing the films [other entries in the Star Wars franchise] and giving unique interpretations on the series. He also said that the backstory in which Darth Vader turns to the dark side, kills Luke's father and fights Ben Kenobi on a volcano as the Galactic Republic falls would make an excellent sequel."

The Star Wars novel Splinter of the Minds Eye (released in 1978) was originally written because Lucas hired Alan Dean Foster to write it (at some point in 1976) as a proposed sequel (he was hired for 2 novels/sequels) to Star Wars which would be used as the basis for future screenplays!

The Empire Strikes Back, title and all, had a handwritten treatment by November of 1977, written by Lucas and Leigh Brackett; It was at this point that he added the episode indicators, this of course being (at the time) episode II!  In late 1978/early 1979 Lucas decided on the trilogy concept, and in that the initial series would truely be the middle part of a bigger story (which again is a concept he had from early on).  He corrected episode II to episode V at that point.

Revenge of the Jedi was in it's initial writing phases in 1981!  Originally from there plans were to take Star Wars into the future with episodes VII-XI but at that point Lucas abandoned Star Wars for several reasons both professional and personal.  And we all know what happened with the prequels.......

I don't really care who directs it, any director of the Star Wars prequels would have had to pull some major directorial weight in order to make those better movies.  They need to get rid of the cartoon stereotypes that populate the new Star Wars universe, again it isn't bad in a cartoon but it is very distracting in a live action film; Part of this would be the exclusion of the horrible character voices!  Go back to alien languages with subtitles, it is so much more realistic and believable and consistent with the established Star Wars universe.  Next get rid of the blatant comedy, it isn't necessary and was yet again not part of the original universe; In the original films there were comical aspects but they didn't detract from what was happening, characters could be funny without being over the top......just look at the introduction of Yoda!  Unfortunately I don't see them doing away with needless-non stop action sequences, of which the prequels are full of, which is just part of the expectation of modern day sci-fi/action films.  Hopefully most of the more horrendous aspects of the prequels will be done away with/fixed during the writing process of the new films but if not it will take a strong director to steer the project in the right direction!

I completely agree. The new trilogy is nothing more than a travesty. Here's to hoping that Abrams ignores that trilogy and doesn't count it as canon, though Disney probably will not allow it as the common moviegoer will be too "confused" if he erases the last three films.

The only thing that I am worried about is Abrams leaving behind the Star Trek series after the next film. I know he is signed on for Producer but it is still something to be concerned about. But that is a discussion for another topic...

[Count_Zirock]

Abrams has only committed to direct Episode VII. He hasn't committed to direct any of the other films. Also, he HASN'T committed to the May 2015 release date. It may be 2016 before Episode VII sees the inside of theaters.

[general gruesome]

The story-lines for the first three films were excellent, as they were also well written/ I have always enjoyed those the best/ As for the newer films, I did enjoy the first film, I really disliked the second, and the third was alright/ I had a great time watching the first film in theaters when I was little, which IS a reason why I always really enjoyed it a lot, even arriving at Taco Bell and getting the toys of Jar Jar Binks and seeing all the advertisements/ It really reminds me of a decent time in my life/ As a film fan, I do enjoy the old films the most/ As for the 7th film and however many there will be, up till 10 or whatever, all I want IS a well-written story-lines, and Harrison Ford to return/ I really enjoy the story of you guys watching the first film in theaters, that would have been awesome, my mom watched it when it was released in 1977 as well, those were better times then

btw, I bet Disney will do an excellent job with the new films

[Fester]

Man you have got to get out more.....have you seen the prequels?!  Talk about lack of soul!?  Talk about not understanding the mythos!?  Talk about not even the basic knowledge of what made the original trilogy so great in the first place!

Midichlorians...Anyone!?

The Force as an infection was the height of dumb to me.
"May the Herpes Be with You"
"The Mono is strong in this one!"
"Use the Gonorrhea, Luke!"

Then there is Annakin Skywalker--a nine year old piloting a podracer.  Kind of like letting your fourth grader drive a Formula 1 Ferrari at the Austin Grand Prix; or an Unlimited-class Mustang at the Reno National Air Races.

BTW, Thanks for the reminder of the Rolling Stone 1977 interview.  I found and re-read it--Haven't read it since that issue came out.  Lucas did have plans for more than one movie.  As I recall, much of the talk at the time was that the studio signed him for only One Star Wars and when it became such a hit, they greenlighted the sequels.


Maybe J J Abrams can do something to clean up the franchise  . . .
I will remain hopeful.

Meanwhile:
http://blogs.amctv.com/movie-blog/2009/08/john-scalzis-gu.php

'Star Wars' and Bad Science In Movies - Science Comedian Brian Malow

[zombiehorror]

Lucas did have plans for more than one movie.  As I recall, much of the talk at the time was that the studio signed him for only One Star Wars and when it became such a hit, they greenlighted the sequels.

Very true, from a studio standpoint Star Wars was probably considered a one off/one shot deal but Lucas seemed to have bigger dreams even before the money started rolling in!

[Dr. Madd]

But, for their faults, the prequels made sense in light of the first three movies.

[Count_Zirock]

Fox had so little confidence in "Star Wars," that when Lucas went over budget, he paid the difference out of his director's fee, as long as Fox gave him the sequel rights and all merchandising rights. Fox only had rights of first refusal on Episodes V & VI. Lucas could have taken Episodes I-III to another studio. And he did take "Star Wars: The Clones Wars" to Warner Bros., as Fox passed on the series. It was only after Cartoon Network picked it up that Lucas decided to do an animated feature.

But, Fox doesn't make a penny on all the "Star Wars" merchandising. Now, that will all go to Disney.

[Phantom Stranger]

I thought Abrahams did a fine job on "Star Trek" and I've been a fan for nearly fifty years. I enjoyed the original "Star Wars" films very much and thought the prequels were okay. (Although, I admit I hated"The Phantom Meance") I think Abrahams will do a good job. He's a fan and a good filmmaker.

[Mord]

Abrahams might just add a little life and originality (something missing frtom all six Star Wars films).

[Fester]

[neonnoodle]

I think Jar Jar Abrams is a good choice, and I think it might turn out decent enough.  I don't need the films to be great and won't be disappointed if they're not brilliant, because I think the good work has already been done--decades ago.  Greatness has already been achieved and it doesn't need to be "forced" again, if you'll pardon the expression. 

If the new Star Wars films are reaasonably entertaining, I'll be happy with that.  They can even be a little "Goofy" and stupid, I won't mind.

I love most Disney product, maybe growing up watching a lot of it made me into a Disney fan who is less critical, but I trust the brand name, and I really think the film will be satisfactory.

[Paladin]

LOL

[zombiehorror]

"Disney "Star Wars" Spin-Offs Confirmed: Boba Fett & Young Han Solo"

"Now, we know what the first two spin-off flicks will be: a Young Han Solo adventure, depicting the smuggler's origin story and taking place in between Episodes 3 and 4, and a Boba-Fett film, which would take place between 4 and 5 or 5 and 6 (when the guy takes a dive into the sarlacc pit). There is all sorts of source material at play here, with Timothy Zahn's SMUGGLERS an option, the awesome trilogy THE BOUNTY HUNTER WARS, and so much more. We'll see. Let the wild speculation on who they'll nab to play a young Han Solo begin!"

http://famousmonsters.com/disney-star-wars-spin-offs-confirmed/

Disney would have to be completely stupid not to take full advantage of Boba Fett's popularity (Please don't screw this up!!).....and SPOILER ALERT!!






His adventures continue even after taking a dive into Sarlacc's Pit, at least in the comics/novels!!