I am a Star Wars fan. Have been for more than 35 years. I will die a Star Wars fan (quite a while from now, I hope).
But what makes me a Star Wars fan? In the immortal words of Luther Heggs, let me clarify this. I love the films. The original trilogy (Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and yes, even Return of the Jedi) are among my all-time favorites. And I enjoy the prequel trilogy, too (The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith). While there was little chance of those films providing the same awe-inspiring experiences that the originals I grew up with had, I do believe they each has its shining moments—be it great John Williams music, amazing visual effects, or the best lightsaber fight choreography of all six films.
As we stray further from the films that make up the Star Wars saga, my love for all things Star Wars begins to fade. There is certain merchandise I can't live without, and you'd probably be surprised to hear there's a lot that just doesn't interest me at all. I'm an avid collector of the comics, but to be honest I haven't read a current run in quite a while. I enjoy aspects of the Clone Wars, but it's all too often hit or miss for me. As for the rest of the expanded universe (novels, games, etc), I have experienced such a small fraction that I really can't comment on the overall quality of them, but it does give you a pretty clear idea as to my overall interest in them.
So how is it, as a 42 year-old first generation theater-going Star Wars fan (Class of '77, baby!), that I am so excited by the prospect of new Star Wars films?
Because I thought for sure I saw my last trailer for a Star Wars film in the fall of 2004, and believed I had seen my last opening crawl to the fanfare of John Williams in the summer of 2005. And as of today, I know that's no longer true. And the idea thrills me.
I think these new films that will make up the sequel trilogy (Episodes VII, VIII and IX) will have sufficient separation from the original films, relieving them of the baggage that that prequels were burdened with.
So I started SequelTrilogy.com to chart my own personal view of the development and release of these films. I hope to find like-minded individuals, who if nothing else are interested in chatting about this surprise gift of more Star Wars theatrical experiences.
I think we're in for one heck of a ride, and I cannot wait to see what Lucasfilm does, under the leadership of Kathleen Kennedy, to bring Star Wars back to the big screen where it belongs.
Can't wait to follow your blog and know we will get more info here than elsewhere! I didn't know they were going to do more films......YEA!!!!!!!!! : )
ReplyDeleteYep and 2015 is not that far, far, away
ReplyDeleteAs someone who abhors the Disney company and they way they treat their valued properties I am finding it hard to get excited about this venture. It WILL be interesting to see how this develops. There are SO many variables at this point. Will we be seeing Harrison Ford as an elderly Han Solo. Do we want to see an aging Harrison Ford as Han Solo again?
ReplyDeleteAnd Disney can now place the STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL into "the vault" right next to SONG OF THE SOUTH (and, I suppose, the lost ark of the covenant) - never to be spoken of again....
Thanks for your insight, Rick. Personally, I'd prefer NOT to see the return of Han Solo, but I've been surprised by how many people seem to think that Harrison, Mark and Carrie will be reprising their roles from the original trilogy. I see potential for Luke to exist in a framing scenario as a wise old storyteller, or to pass the baton/torch/lightsaber, as it were, to the next generation. I can't see them building a story so close to the events of Jedi that the original characters would still play pivotal roles. I mention in my next post how I'd like to see the droids carry through the new episodes, as they will need some continuity to remind us that we're still in a familiar Star Wars universe.
ReplyDeleteIf I hadn't just been complaining about the lax licensing team that agreed to a Star Wars/Angry Birds mash-up, I'd be more concerned about what Disney might do with the property. The one Disney SOP I would like to see employed with the Star Wars films under the new ownership is the occasional theatrical reissue (although we're getting that, in a sense, with the 3-D versions).
And I do think the day will come when the Disney archivists will finally open up the vaut and offer a collector-level/archive edition (i.e. not mass market) release of Song of the South, so I wouldn't rule out a Holiday Special release, either (assuming that they perceive there to be a market for it and the music licensing rights for all those hip song and dance numbers isn't cost prohibitive). :)