With Christmas just around the corner we have to put up with Christmas lights, Christmas songs and decorations, present buying and so much more. This Christmas does come with a very special gift though, and that gift is Star Wars episode VII.
We have seen the trailers, viewed the pictures, bought the toys, debated the theories and now we wait for the film. It seems though this new ‘trilogy’ could be different to the last.
Disney’s future plans for movie releases
It seems that Disney doesn’t want to waste an opportunity with Star Wars and “they’re planning one a year for the next six years.”
This year Star Wars Episode VII graces the cinema screens, next year Rogue One, a spin-off story set around the time of episode IV, is set for release. Episode VIII is set for 2017 release and Episode IX in 2019. We don’t yet know what is going to be released in 2018, but rumours are going round that a Han Solo origin film will likely be released. There are also plans for a Boba Fett film and even some rumoured, maybe even a trilogy, about Obi-Wan Kenobi’s life during the gap between episode III and IV.
It seems as if Disney is using the ideas of the Marvel Cinematic universe to help them create Star Wars films. One feature from Wired Magazine, explains Disney’s plans to continue making films until people stop buying tickets. I don’t like this idea of loads and loads of films being blurted out for no reason other than profit. If they do it for good intentions though then I don’t have a problem. The MCU is one of the best franchises ever, with films and TV series that all intertwine and engage a massive fanbase, both old and new. Some marvel films are ok, others amazing, some barely scraped by and others became blockbuster successes.
When Disney bought the rights to Star Wars some people were upset, others angry but many more were exited or intrigued. They could have rebooted, they could have done a new film and scrapped the old cast or kept the same ideas but lost the feeling. Star Wars captured the minds of people in two different generations with IV, V and VI and for I, II and III, regardless of your personal feelings for each film. Now that we are being handed a new one on a plate is pretty much the epitome of nostalgia. It lets the new generation see it and the older generations remember it.
George Lucas reveals why he let the franchise go
What is significantly different about this film, compared to the others, is that director George Lucas is no longer helming any more Star Wars films. JJ Abrams has taken up that responsibility for VII.
Lucas spoke recently about how much he was put off coming back to Star Wars after making the prequels: “You go to make a movie and all you do is get criticised. You can’t experiment, you can’t do anything. You have to do it a certain way and I don’t like that – I never did.”
Lucas wasn’t away from Star Wars completely and did serve as ‘creative consultant’ on the new film, although this is a very back seated role.
The 71-year-old also does intend to keep directing however he will steer clear of big blockbusters: “I started out in experimental films and I want to go back to experimental films.”
The trailers, characters and everything associated with them do give hints to the story. However, if your hoping it will be like the originals then that’s unlikely. Upon talking with Gamestop and CBS, Lucas explained how he had envisioned the Star Wars saga to be more like a family soap opera than anything else. “People don’t realize it’s actually a soap opera and it’s all about family problems–it’s not about spaceships. [Disney] decided they didn’t want to use those stories; they decided they were going to do their own thing so I decided, ‘Fine.'”
Apparently Disney wanted to create something “for the fans” and had a very different view on where they wanted the saga to go. The original Star War’s films were filled with a clear story. There were slow in parts, full of action parts, some annoying parts and some highly emotional parts too. The more recent I, II and III were more action and spectacle filled and it’s likely this will follow. I would hope to see a great story, with terrific acting, amazing special effects and clear conflict, heartache and emotion running through it. What is almost certain is that as J.J Abrams is helming the film, there is bound to be an awful lot of lens flares.
Mark Hamill can’t say a word
The story of The Force Awakens, and all the other upcoming films in the franchise have been kept under lock and key. Very few people know about it and those who do have to keep their mouths shut. Not even the original cast can talk about their own characters. Luke skywalker isn’t in the trailers so therefore no one knows who or what he is going to be like in the film. Not even Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker himself, is allowed to say. He explains why in this video:
TMNT meet Star Wars. Sort of.
In related news, it’s been reported that Speaking at the Heroes and Villains Fan Fest, Arrow star Stephen Amell has suggested that the first trailer for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 will be attached to the Disney blockbuster, stating that: “If you’re a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fan, then you’re going to want to go to the theater in December before a relatively big movie that’s being released for a fantastic trailer.”
We’re guessing this means that the TMNT II trailer will accompany the X-Men: Apolalypse teaser and probably the Captain America: Civil War trailer too. And we’re hearing rumblings of a new Batman V Superman trailer as well… this movie will be worth the admission for the trailers alone!
Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens will be released in theatres on 17th December 2015 (UK) and 18th December USA
Check out this cool UK ad for 02 Priorites, featuring all three of your favourite droids…
Our #StarWars #TheForceAwakens film revealed. UK premiere tickets to win on O2 Priority – https://t.co/XLurPq411q https://t.co/9lLSXxEYo1
— O2 in the UK (@O2) November 20, 2015
Next up, you know the story, you’re on Skype talking Star Wars and suddenly… Harrison Ford!
You’ve never heard the Star Wars theme until it’s been done a capella at the AMAs in honour of John Williams
Sources: BusinessInsider, RadioTimes, Blastr, Gamespot and SWU
Irwin Fletcher
I'm an LA journalist who really lives for his profession. I have also published work as Jane Doe in various mags and newspapers across the globe. I normally write articles that can cause trouble but now I write for FTN because Nerds are never angry, so I feel safe.
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