And start hyperventilating... now. No, not because of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy or the election. This is bigger than those things, judging from the reaction of the world.That's right - I'm sure you've already heard. Disney now owns Star Wars and George Lucas's associated businesses. And they're making new Star Wars movies.
I think the internet is already full with fan reactions. Opinions are as diverse as the alien species in Star Wars. If the emperor wanted to start a galactic civil war all he had to do was announce Disney purchased Star Wars, not go through that whole big convoluted thing with clones. Disney clearly didn't see that it was stepping on a landmine called the "EU." That's right - the extended universe. Fans of the Thrawn Trilogy won't accept anything less than 100% adherence to the EU "cannon." But let's get real. Disney didn't pay $4,000,000,000 to adapt some novels. Word has already leaked that the stories are going to be ones never before seen by fans.
Now I'm hoping "never before seen by fans" means "in line with Lucas's original outlines." If Disney is going to call this movie Episode VII it's got to continue the stories of Luke, Leia, and Han in a meaningful way. Fans who insist that nobody else can play those characters except for the original actors are going to have to face facts. It is very possible for new actors to come in to a well established role and make it their own. Christopher Reeve capably replaced George Reeves as Superman. Daniel Craig made James Bond his own despite Sean Connery's long shadow. It was long thought Cesar Romero owned the Joker role until Jack Nicholson put his own trademark on it and then Heath Ledger once again raised the stakes.
Making new Star Wars films is a tricky business. There's a lot to get right and a lot that could go very, very wrong. But 1LR is ecstatic at the development. If you're a Star Wars fan the idea of more Star Wars movies can't be a bad thing. To me, Disney saved Star Wars from slowly becoming irrelevant. In today's world, if you're not moving forward you're dead in the water. By continuing to produce new films Disney will keep Star Wars relevant for generations.
But the first film will be a $4 billion gamble. Much of the good will Star Wars had with fans has been erased by the prequel trilogy. If that first film doesn't hit all the right notes and "feel" like Star Wars, Disney might as well go jump in a sarlac pit.
And please. No Jar Jar.
Ok movie Spock, while you won't be stripped of rank for that comment, your are under performance review until further notice. You're hamfisted examples that other actors could play Han, Leia, Luke is boarderline sickening. Christopher and George both played Superman, yes, but in completely different continuities. Daniel Craig's Bond was a reboot to the franchise. Cesar, Heath, and Jack, again all from seperate continuities. How do we know switching actors doesn't work? It didn't do the Batman franchise any good replacing Keaton with Kilmer and Clooney.
ReplyDeleteStar Wars is also unique in that it's original. It wasn't a film version of established stories culled from comics, novels, or television. Even Bond began as a series of novels. But for Star Wars, the Silver Screen is its "birth medium." 30+ years later, SW was adapted to novels, comics, video games, RPG's, etc. and fans sharing the further adventures of Luke, Leia, and Han have done so with those actor's likenesses etched in their imagination. Replacing Luke with some Twilight deuchebag will only serve to insult the fans to the very core.
Replacing the actors of principle characters is tantamount to rebooting the franchise, which in and of itself is a sin.
Now, I'm sure you'll engage in a series of point/counterpoint examples. But the real question isn't if there are three actors who could pull it off. Of course there's a chance. The question is, does the studio want to roll the dice? after a $4 billion dollar aqcuisition, do they really want to run the risk of disappointing a rabid and expansive fanbase by committing a series of cinematic sins in the narrowist of possibilities these new actors will be embraced and do the characters justice? Or rather, begin what hopefully will be a long lasting (and profitable) relationship with audiences by moving the setting forward to a later generation, which is what GL promised to begin with.
I don't know man, I need to sober up from the blow of your comment, but for now I am ashamed to know you.
You're so funny.
DeleteFirst, let's be honest - Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher are NOT great actors. They serviced the roll in Star Wars and then faded into oblivion. And let's be honest - they look horrible these days. I wouldn't want to see them on screen even if they were cast for some bizarre reason. Who wants to see Carrie Fisher in a metal bikini now? *shudder*
Second, you seem to really love these three characters a lot. Why wouldn't you want to see more of them on screen? Love the character, not the actor.
Third, we're not talking reboot, reimagining, or remake. This is a continuation of the storyline. Would it have been ideal for Lucas to make Episodes 7, 8, 9 20 years ago and use the original actors? Yes, I would have preferred that too. But I'm at least willing to give new actors a chance to make the rolls their own. Yes, I agree, it's a very tricky needle to thread and it naturally invites comparisons with the old actors when new actors step into their shoes. But it has been done IN THE SAME CONTINUITY a number of times - how about Mark Ruffalo's Hulk? What about Michael Gambon's Dumbledore? Elizabeth Shue's Jennifer McFly? Maggie Gyllenhaal's Rachel Dawes? Difficult? Yes. Impossible - definitely not.
Fourth, it's going to happen and you know it... why be bitter about it? It's EPISODE SEVEN. Just to earn that title it has to have the ongoing adventures of Luke and Leia, perhaps passing the torch on to their proteges/children.
Fifth, have faith in Disney. They have a LONG, LONG record of making amazing movies and they've done right with both Marvel and Pixar, two recent acquisitions.
Sixth, don't be THAT fan. The "Impossible to please" fan is the reason Lucas swore off making more Star Wars films. If Star Wars ever dies it will be because of fans that just aren't happy no matter what.
Seventh, you mentioned Disney's $4 billion investment. The best bet in a continuing franchise is to continue with established characters. This gives the audience an instant connection. Sure, they could make Star Wars films 1,000 years in the future and that could be fun... but that wouldn't be "Star Wars: Episode 7." That would be "Star Wars: Subtitle Here." Eventually, I do hope they go that route either after or during the 12 episode arc outlined by Lucas. But when they do make the movies far in the future or past I hope it isn't just because they're running in fear from fans with "bitter Star-Wars face."
Eighth, I find it interesting that fans lament the loss of Hamill, Fisher, and Ford more than they do Lucas himself. Sure, he's going to be a "creative consultant" but in interviews he has strongly indicated that he's handing the reigns over to his assistant and he's going to be hands off. Isn't the potential to lose the unique Star Wars tone, pacing, editing style, and plot standards a much greater concern than having someone new step into established rolls?
So relax. Cherish the originals but anticipate what is to come. Put away your targeting computer and use the force, Bill.
...sigh,
ReplyDelete"Second, you seem to really love these three characters a lot. Why wouldn't you want to see more of them on screen? Love the character, not the actor"
But the actor is what brings the character to life. Switching an actor during a series continuity does not work. Or, do you argue that The Dark Knight Rises should have featured the Joker. Sure, Heath is dead, but by your standards, the character is important, the actor is just filling out the shoes. Anyone would do.
Yes, we agree Indiana Jones and the KOTCS blew chunks. But it made its money on the strength of the original team up reuniting. Would there have been even 1/2 the buzz if Ben Afleck was playing Indy?
Brandon Roth had a daunting task of not only playing Superman, but played it as Christopher Reeves would have. How'd that film come out?
Time and again, we see that replacing actors within continuity does not work.
"Third, we're not talking reboot, reimagining, or remake. This is a continuation of the storyline. Would it have been ideal for Lucas to make Episodes 7, 8, 9 20 years ago and use the original actors? Yes, I would have preferred that too. But I'm at least willing to give new actors a chance to make the rolls their own."
(facepalm) So, if they make it "their own" they're ipso/facto, altering the characters. And you're right, this isn't a reboot, so why treat it as such?
"Eighth, I find it interesting that fans lament the loss of Hamill, Fisher, and Ford more than they do Lucas himself. Sure, he's going to be a "creative consultant" but in interviews he has strongly indicated that he's handing the reigns over to his assistant and he's going to be hands off. Isn't the potential to lose the unique Star Wars tone, pacing, editing style, and plot standards a much greater concern than having someone new step into established rolls?"
And this is where you're off the mark. A recent interview with Mark Hamill reveals that over a year ago, he had lunch with Carrie Fisher and George Lucas in which Lucas revealed that they were moving forward with the sequel trilogy.
Cite source: http://www.businessinsider.com/mark-hamill-reacts-to-new-star-wars-trilogy-2012-11
So, why have a meeting with these two if they're not going to be involved on some level?
Also, Fans do not lament the loss of GL, because the original film definitely had a collaborative feel. Plus ESB and RotJ had different directors. But the PT was top to bottom, the GL show, and without the creative colaboration, it felt lifeless and hollow.
"Sixth, don't be THAT fan. The "Impossible to please" fan is the reason Lucas swore off making more Star Wars films. If Star Wars ever dies it will be because of fans that just aren't happy no matter what"
And I am not that fan and how dare you to lump me in with them. But there is a middle ground between hating anything new, and accepting anything new without hesitation. The advantage Episode 1 had was fans willingness to give it a chance, despite internet rumors, because it was Star Wars, and that alone made it strong enough. Now that the PT has soiled (not ruined, but soiled) the legacy, Disney needs to tread softly. Fans have been burnt and are more cautious now.