Star Wars: The Force Awakens (12/18/15)

[Khev]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

The Avengers was the "Return of the Jedi" of Marvel Phase I. I could see Whedon doing a decent job with Episode IX.

 

[IrishJedi]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

Affleck will still be in contention, too, if he still has interest then. The EP7 gig was his had Abrams ultimately passed.

 

[ProgMatinee]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

I'm guessing Joss may get a chance with 8 or 9. He and JJ seem so well suitted for this kind of thing, especially with the 'bickering band of heroes' angle.

VII: JJ Abrams
VIII: Brad Bird
IX: Joss Whedon

I like that line of thinking. Initially I would have said that Joss Whedon is best at creating new characters and therefore would have been suited for VII, but his success on Avengers taking characters that were already developed through film at various levels (and imo getting stale and freshening them up) for Avengers shows that he would do well to round the SW series out.

The other option would be to give him one of the side projects where he could create his own characters.

A "Rogue Squadron" type film would be cool from him or even if they get him sign up to do an ABC series based on the bounty hunters.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

Affleck will still be in contention, too, if he still has interest then. The EP7 gig was his had Abrams ultimately passed.

I'm impressed with Ben but I'm just not as certain what I'd get with him. Whereas, with JJ, Joss or Brad, you certainly can visualize the style, the mix of humor and adventure, the choices for actors, etc. Of course, that wildcard mystery might serve Ben very well. He could be the surprise of the saga.

If VIII is "the darker one", than Ben might be well suitted for that given his previous films.

 

[IrishJedi]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

Also, while I like Abrams, Bird, and Whedon... none of them have yet made a live action film as good as GONE BABY GONE, THE TOWN, or ARGO.

They are "geek" Gods, yes. But Affleck is already the best filmmaker of this bunch. Genres can be easily jumped to. I'm talking pure auteurship and skill. That's why I'm pretty stoked that he got that close, and hope he stays in contention for the others.

 

[Mad Old Lu]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

I agree, Irish. Affleck has proven to be an exceptional director. It would be great to see what he would do with the franchise, although I do think he is capable of surprising everyone and giving us a blast of a movie that kicks all kinds of butt.

But I'll be more than happy with Abrams, Bird, Whedon, or even Favreau.

 

[Wor-Gar]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

Abrams, Bird, Whedon, or even Favreau.

These guys are all cut with the same cookie-cutter -- very solid and capable but predictable. The more I think about it, the more Ben's ability and remaining mystery appeals to me.

Is there a Team Affleck yet?

 

[ProgMatinee]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

I don't think making a scifi film needs to be extraordinarily dumbed down, but on the other hand, by their very nature "dramas" are going to appear to be more serious films which for some translate into more "cred" and even "better".

For what it is, I argue you really can't find many scifi films "better" than Serenity, IMO especially on the budget it was done at. If that was a PT film we'd be praising it today.

 

[Mad Old Lu]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

And I think that's what the original trilogy did (ESB in particular)--it was a little more serious and mature, and wasn't dumbed down. But it still kept that sense of adventure and urgency of having to defeat "the bad guy". It presented a basically simple good vs evil plot, but layering it with complex relationships and slightly complicated characters, so the viewer could grow to appreciate those things as they aged.

I think all 4 of those directors are more than capable of achieving that. In their movies, they have been able to provide great thrills and fun, and instill the characters with enough personality that the audience truly cares what happens to them.

 

[Khev]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

Sideshow has got to find an excuse to make these guys, the REAL Obi-Wan and Anakin of the Clone Wars:

Can you imagine having these as figures or PF's?

 

[pixletwin]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

I wouldn't fancy Shaw's Father-Knows-Best hair do, but I would prolly buy those.

 

[automaton]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

And I think that's what the original trilogy did (ESB in particular)--it was a little more serious and mature, and wasn't dumbed down. But it still kept that sense of adventure and urgency of having to defeat "the bad guy". It presented a basically simple good vs evil plot, but layering it with complex relationships and slightly complicated characters, so the viewer could grow to appreciate those things as they aged.

I think all 4 of those directors are more than capable of achieving that. In their movies, they have been able to provide great thrills and fun, and instill the characters with enough personality that the audience truly cares what happens to them.

i agree. the key to making Star Wars work is keeping it simple while layering the complexities over top. there is more than enough lore to work with... it is just a matter of finding the heart to whatever story is left to tell.

 

[lerath666]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

Rise of the lenseflare trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XgiJxHjN2k8#!

 

[Sachiel]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

That was awesome!

But there totally could have been more lens flares.

 

[Mad Old Lu]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

I actually thought it was pretty good. They guy might have done it as a joke, but he showed real restraint with the lens flares and most of them were appropriate for the shot. The only ones that looked gratuitous were the lightsaber ones.

 

[Khev]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

What I got most out of that trailer is that SW actually can still be cool without John Williams. Not "OT cool" but cool nonetheless. Interesting.

 

[Lakhota]

Maybe they will get Luke's hand from Bespin and then clone an army of jedis like the Clone Wars. They can open an extermination business and all can bullseye whamprats with their T-16s. Or maybe the Rancor Keeper will seek his revenge on Luke for killing his pet. Better yet the Wampa healed up and got a cybernetic arm and will hunt Luke.

sent from my R2 unit

 

[lerath666]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

.....wow. Did you used to write for marvel in the 70's and 80's?

 

[Kamandi]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

Maybe they will get Luke's hand from Bespin and then clone an army of jedis like the Clone Wars. They can open an extermination business and all can bullseye whamprats with their T-16s. Or maybe the Rancor Keeper will seek his revenge on Luke for killing his pet. Better yet the Wampa healed up and got a cybernetic arm and will hunt Luke.

Luuke

 

[lerath666]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

LOL. I'd forgotten about it. YOu know though, it's a mildly stupid and crazy plan, from an incredibly crazy clone of a jedi.