Unless you’ve actually been travelling across the Galaxy yourself this past week, you’ll have almost certainly been privy to the news of George Lucas lucrative deal with Disney over ownership of his fabled company Lucasfilm. Indeed it looks like Lucas’ wavering integrity finally gave out entirely and according to sources he let the company that he built from the ground go for a staggering figure – around the $4 billion mark.
Immediately following the development was the news that Disney are, perhaps quite inevitably, planning a new Star Wars trilogy beginning with Episode 7. And with that, millions of old ‘Wars fans worldwide breath a collective sigh of disappointment and try to push the whole thing out of our minds.
I guess you can find things to be excited about – hey, Lucas didn’t exactly preserve his former excellence with his new Star Wars trilogy, so maybe Disney’s attempt will represent a return to glory? Maybe. And maybe we’ll solve world hunger this year. Both could happen, sure, but both are probably about as likely as the other.
Yes, I’m a hopeless cynic. No, I’m not sorry. So without further chatter, let’s delve into why I think the new Star Wars reboot (for that’s essentially what it is) will almost definitely suck.
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25 Comments
Stuart. Thank you for confirming what I fear. I think that it is unfair to describe these nervous feelings you have as cynical, because what you’re talking about comes from a place of love and adoration for a film that was a very personal story about a young man trying to find a place for his passion in the face of overwhelming control. It makes sense that the movies made under the studio control were also more about the controlling forces and organizations. at least he is staying honest? and in that way, maybe the studio will try to detach the new trilogy from the old. oh wait, its just for money. not integrity. these movies will suck. america out. obama.
I dont think it will be that bad, disney has done amazing things with films especially with marvel and pixar, epidode 1-3 were not that bad, they could have been alot better but at least it wasnt trash ! Have faith that it will not flop or join the dark side you will !
I’d just like to iterate, the movies were targeted at Teens and a younger audience. Even in the original trilogy, as Lucas has stated. While these movies may suck compared to the original, as most of us saw them at a younger age. The originals will always be there none the less. I think with the right approach, they can make Star Wars even greater, as it still is great – with or without the prequels. Going into it with a mind set of new and different will pull you away from this way of feeling this will somehow tarnish Star Wars.
Except that the originals WON’T always be there because Lucas has made it impossible for anyone to see them.
hey, are you backdooring the cat in that picture?
Let it go, man.
I really hope that everything you say is completely wrong. For many of your fears I honestly share – and for good reason!
Quite the opposite. the fans seem ravenous, young and old for more. i can`t see the point myself. I`m bored of it but from the talkbacks I`m well and truly (almost) alone.
The sad thing is, you’re absolutely right. Pardon me for the following statement, but kids today are stupid. Kids these days are into Twilight, The Hunger Games, etc. This is not a generation interested in science fiction, or even quality entertainment in general for that matter. How does does Disney appeal to a generation that think Star Wars and Star Trek are the same franchise? They go all Michael Bay on it. ‘splosions. Robots. CGI.
You do know that The Hunger Games is in fact science fiction, right? So saying that you people aren’t interested in science fiction is kida rubbish. (Also, don’t compare it to Twilight, as it’s a million times better. It’s acutally well written and has interesting characters and actual conflict.)
Also, I’m absolutely sure that people of all ages – will be interested in Star Wars when the next movie comes out. What makes you think that the younger generation isn’t interested in science fiction? Star Wars merchandise, video games etc. still sell very well, as far as I know, and working with kids I’ve met loads that liked Star Wars.
What about:
No John Williams (he is almost retired, only works for Spielberg)
It will be in 3D
Stupidest article I’ve read about the new movies. Not one real or good point/idea.
That’s great criticism. I’ll be sure to keep your wealth of insight in mind while I’m writing my next piece.
well the article did suck.
Episodes I, II, and III are the very reason the new films will most likely be great. The prequels sucked, and the bar is now so low that odds are if the new ones are even ‘just good’, they will seem phenomenal in comparison !
Cheers for that completely insightful list, to which I wholeheartedly agree with everything; the story began and ended with the original Trilogy, the prequels were just plain unnecessary (whatever you’re opinion of their merits… or lack thereof!), and this new trilogy is completely commerce-driven (an incentive for Disney to purchase Lucasfilm), all that being said though, I’ll wait to see who they hire to write and direct these new films, what the story arc is, and most crucially of all, what the final released film(s) will be like…
I am extremely skeptical about all this, but then again, I was equally as skeptical when James Cameron began making a sequel to ‘The Terminator’ back in 1990, and look at how that ended up, despite the original 1984 film not needing a sequel. And if rumors about ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ and ‘Toy Story 3′ writer Michael Arndt penning the new trilogy prove true, and they get directors like Brad Bird, Neil Blomkamp, Alfonso Cuaron, or Guillermo del Toro to helm the three new films, they may not be strictly necessary, per se, but they may just prove to be simply fantastic and outrageously entertaining and engaging examples of modern cinematic entertainment… and in the end, isn’t THAT what’s it all about!?
As long as the title “Episode VII ” only refers to the fact that the film is, in fact, the seventh one in the series and NOT a continuation of a story that is definitely over, I will retain a small hope for something good to happen. Genndy Tartakovsky and his animation studio brilliantly proved that even stories set in the prequel universe using existing characters could be suprisingly awesome. Sabers crossed!
The only thing that scares me is that they’re going to cater for the younger audience. I’m all for a new film as long as it’s like the originals instead of the new ones (which it won’t be). I mean it can easily be done with out having a forced story, there’s the whole fact that even with the Emperor dead the Empire still exists. What happened to the Empire after Episode VI? I doubt they all just turned themselves in.
Being raised in between the two trilogies i have a love and appreciation for both of them, I do however find the contstant whining over the second trilogy to be incessant and annoying. it wasn’t that bad, i actually loved it.A major detail that Mr. Stuart W. Bedford (the man who wrote this article) has overlooked is that this movie is not going to be made by a bunch of disney business men. This George Lucas himself personally chose his “jedi apprentice” Kathleen Kennedy to be the new chair of lucasfilms. She in turn will be working for disney so calm yourselves people. I’ve been getting very tired of this sort of Xenophobic thinking “oh star wars is done for it doesent need to be added to”. North America is founded on creativity and progressive thinking, LucasFilms was sold to disney because George Lucas beleived star wars was such a powerful entity that it could live beyond him and he chose disney because that would give it a secure and safe place to be. George Lucas didn’t sell out, he took an idea that he couldnt use anymore and gave it to the next generation of progressive thinking and creative people.
i know it has already been stated, disney has done a very good job with the Marvel franchise, and i want to point out one thing.
there is the possibility that Stan Lee could be involved with writing the new Star Wars, and Nathan Fillion being cast in it
I, personally, am very (internally) giddy at getting to experience yet another Star Wars trilogy (my relationship to the prequels clearly having been more accepting than yours). However, I can’t turn my nose up at your cynicism. Or any of your points, really.
The one that rings most true to me is your second point. Had this sale taken place anywhere from 20 to 30 years ago, I wouldn’t have as many qualms. But Disney is a very, very sad shadow of its former self. I remember hoping and wishing Pixar would cut its ties with Disney, and then being disappointed to hear they’d been bought. Disney doesn’t cater to children, it caters to internet gossip-addicted brats, such as those who’ve made it their life’s pursuit to kiss a Jonas Brother (or whoever else is trending on Disney XD this week).
I’m nowhere near as cynical or nervous about this as you are, but I wouldn’t dream of chastising you for it. Carry on.
So it looks like all of your reasons the new movies will suck can be summed up as follows:
It wont be the original trilogy
Disney wont risk everything on it
George Lucas butchered it before Disney can get their hands on it
to the first point: No S%$t.
to the second point: No S%$t.
to the third point: that is arguable, while no one liked the guy playing anakin in II and III they werent THAT bad.
Disney wont risk everything because they dont need to, no one has any idea what the story will be but they will craft their own story based off of a very successful franchise. It would be hard to screw that up. and not all that disney does is crap. the first Pirates movie was great, even if they dumped downhill after that.
I guess what im saying is that you dont have a single reason listed above why this movie will suck, all I see is a list of ways that an automatic 2015 blockbuster wont be the same as a genre defining trilogy from a long time ago. (in a galaxy far far away. Couldn’t resist)
let the film come out first
Dear Mr. Bedford,
I was about to parrot your thoughts in my comment but something just hit me. You see, like we’re talking about Episode 7 sucking, in another twenty years or so, these teens might be talking about Episode 10 sucking a$$.
We all know how impressionable teens are. Maybe this new trilogy will be the Episodes IV – VI for them. No matter how crappy it is, they might still like it just because of the hype surrounding SW and the “CGI insanity”.
This might sound cheesy, but as Lucas said (supposedly), Star Wars is going to be passed to a new generation. Star Wars no longer belongs to us. It now belongs to the next generation. That is something we all have to accept. Because, very soon, there will be a whole new generation of Star Wars fans.
Very well said. I didn’t know anyone in Britain cared about Star Wars !
I just actually found out, today, March 12 2013 about this because I don’t have a TV, radio, or the internet (I’m on restaurant wi-fi). And it’s because of stuff like this.
I’ve read quite a bit about Star Wars, Lucas, and other of Lucas’ works. I’m shocked. He really just sold out and became a giant hypocrite.
The author understands entirely – from day 1, Lucas was all about opposing Hollywood. He built Lucasfilm from the ground up, I think it’s what you might call an “independent label”. But I’ve noticed that over the years, the money and greed got to him. The same thing happened to atheist Todd McFarlane. First, he said Spawn would only last 100 issues, not go on and on. But when Issue #100 came and the comic was still profitable, he just kept on making it.
Folks, I’m from America. All our movies and music and TV and radio are rotten. If you want to be a big sell-out loser, immerse yourself in our stuff. But if you don’t want to be a soulless creep, look somewhere else. I’ll tell you one thing, I’m the only happy guy I know out of a city of a million +, and I’m also the only one I know without TV, radio, or internet in my house. Instead, I pray, read and write books, and spend time with my wife and kids.
I think he also did this to spite all of us for complaining about the prequels. But regarding everyone’s hatred of the prequels and alterations, I really disagree and think you’re all on group-think. If you study Star Wars and Lucas carefully enough, you’ll realize that Episodes 4 5 and 6 were made in the late 1970s by a younger guy without many kids and Episodes 7 8 and 9 by an older guy with grandkids. It’s just like the last Indy movie. For Lucas, both franchises were supposed to be like the old hiller-diller Saturday evening matinees of yore – Flash Gordon and all that nonesuch. One of the biggest elements of everyone hating the new Star Wars and Indy films is that Lucas hasn’t changed as much as everyone else has. Lucas is more of an artist and connoisseur than all of us – and most hated the prequels because they also flew in the face of modern Hollywood’s trend of Batman Begins post-grunge realism.