Very little negativity is swirling round the Star Wars sequel trilogy at present, which of course means very little as a similar optimism pervaded during the Episode I production era. As we all know, since Episode I's release things have been a lot different, the name Star Wars has been something often met with a groan and for good reason, as creator George Lucas has gone from geek God to bumbling, stumbling incompetent in the space of three movies. Whisper it, but the prequels aren't quite as horrible as everybody remembers them; they just don't stack up against the originals, and this has always felt like the greatest opportunity missed given Star Wars' big screen potential. At the moment though, there is a genuine buzz developing out of the ashes of the comparatively failed prequels, and the feeling is this is a film that could really capture something of what made the originals great, whilst also offering something exciting and new. Day by day, we are getting to see encouraging photo leaks and designs, new timely casting announcements, and little hints that Star Wars might well just be back on track. As such, rather than try to find the cracks in the Mandalorian armour, this list will celebrate the return of the Jedis, and pinpoints seventeen reasons as to why we should all be rejoicing the fact as if the Death Star had just been destroyed.
17. Practical Sets/Effects
As furious as Disney are purported to be about TMZs Abu-Dhabi spy pics, given the overwhelmingly positive response they have received, they also have every reason to promote, rather than fire the crew member responsible for the leak. It is clear from the photos that every effort is being made to replicate the feel of the "used galaxy" from the original trilogy. Using familiar shapes and imagery we are being shown another far flung corner of the Star Wars universe, even if that corner happens to be on the saga's most ubiquitous planet: Tatooine. The TMZ pics and the animatronic creature tease in J. J. Abrams' set message also point to a dedication to bring the sequels in line with the original trilogy, something that was pretty much abandoned - at least in terms of puppetry and animatronics - after Episode I.
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