If you have been living without the Internet and television for the past three months, here is some big nerdy news for you, Disney purchased all of LucasFilms, including the rights to all media content. Even bigger, they plan to make the seventh episode in the initially intended 9 episode series. The purchase of LucasFilms was a natural move for George Lucas as he heads into retirement and now has a bit of pocket money in the $4,000,000,000 that Disney paid. (Yes, that’s ‘B’ as in billion)
But how will this new trilogy turn out?
The world of Star Wars is beyond anything I have ever seen. Before their were the Harry Potter fans or Twi-harders, Star Wars was one of the first to move beyond a book and movie concept to an entire cult following that has led to so many crazy and amazing ideas. You do not just watch Star Wars if you are a fan, you memorize tech specs of vehicles, read the books, and maybe even build your own stormtrooper suit.
Different Market Opportunities
For the die-hards, the original three (Star Wars IV, V, and VI) are the best in the series. Jar Jar Binks ruined Episode I and only the third Episode seems to have been able to meet the approval of some of the fans. The reedits of all of the movies are a travesty and assume that George Lucas only cares about the money and not the people that have devoted endless hours to the product.
For the people new to the culture, the die-hards are a bit nuts and the graphics in the new episodes were great compared to the older videos. The entire story was definitely appropriate for children, women, and even the avid fan that just had to see it.
Which Decision Will Lead To The Dark Side?
So who is Disney going to target in this new series? If the rumors from years before are true, the series would be based off of the Thrawn Trilogy, by author Timothy Zahn. I won’t ruin it here, but the content is definitely movie worthy with a heavy emphasis on space battles and the future of the Jedi after the Emperor nearly killed them all off.
But if the interview with with Eonline is any indication, it will be “an original story” as quoted by a source within LucasFilms. Eric Geller of TheForce.net believes that while it may be original, “it’s almost inevitable that the story will take place in the same time frame as those books.”
So do they alienate a HUGE population of people that will probably watch it even if it is not the same and deal with the fallout of that for the bigger market or do they cater to this group that if done well will watch it more times than even I can expect but possibly lose the bigger audience. My thoughts as one of those superfans that can draw out the specs of a TIE Defender and A-Wing? They are going to go for that new market and Thrawn, Han and Leia Solo, and the future of the Jedi is going to look differently on screen than it does in the books…
If the movie is an original story line, are you going to watch it?
BONUS: Here is the announcement that both Disney and LucasFilms made about the merger.
[tentblogger-youtube QIkqX5fG_tA]
[HT Mashable]
Jonathan Assink says
I’m cautiously optimistic, depending largely on who helms the films. I think the first pick of geekdom the world over is Joss Whedon, but he’s busy directing Avengers. Another suggestion I heard kicked around is Brad Bird, who I think would be a great choice. There’s tons of SW lore and canon he can draw from to craft a new trilogy whether it’s the Thrawn storyline or not.
Only other suggestion I’d make, if Han Solo is in the films, they’ve gotta cast Nathan Fillion.
Jeremy Smith says
Nice call. I agree that the continuity of the characters are going to be tough and if they go the “fan-boy” route, they need to invest in this online and Hollywood group of “cyber-nerd” actors.
Carl Franzon says
I’m up for Episode VIi – “The Return of the Jedi, but NOT Jar Jar Binks”. Guaranteed to have a line!
Jeremy Smith says
Ha! Oh Jar Jar….