As many of you know, today is May The Fourth, also known as Star Wars Day (based on the pun “May the fourth be with you”). As part of our celebration, we have decided to do a round up of all the big news surrounding the upcoming films. So without further ado, cue that unmistakeable John Williams score, and let us take you to a galaxy far, far away…
6. Location Scouting May Already Be Underway
Location scouting has reportedly begun, with the crew examining Iceland in particular. Iceland is known for its cold, snowy locations (Editor: But not to the same extent that Greenland is. Go figure.), and many planets in Star Wars match this description, most notably, Hoth. Could we be returning to the planet that contained the rebel’s secret base? The fact that they have already started scouting for locations means that hopefully we won’t have to with too long for them to start filming. Who knows what corners of the Galaxy far, far away these films will take us to?
5. Starting In 2015, There Will Be One Star Wars Film Every Year, As Confirmed By Disney
This is certainly an interesting development. One Star Wars film every year means that Disney certainly have high hopes for the franchise, but is this really a smart move?
On the plus side, we get one Star Wars film every year! Who can complain about that! We will finally be able to see our beloved characters on the big screen again, and will only have to wait one more year to see them yet again. And characters that we do not see enough of, like Yoda and Boba Fett, will possibly get their own movies.
On the downside, this looks like a blatant attempt to milk the franchise, as a Disney are known to do. Nobody wants to see Star Wars going down the Pirates of the Caribbean route. And just think about the marketing opportunities that Disney will get because of this. First they buy Marvel, and now this. Disney also closed down LucasArts, cancelling the incredible looking Star Wars: 1313 video game, which had graphics that looked so good, previews said it could not possibly have been a current gen video game (though it apparently was… would have been), and was also expected to be the first Star Wars game to be rated M by the ESRB, taking the franchise in a darker, bolder new direction. Instead, we have Angry Birds Star Wars. Thanks for nothing, Disney.
So, will the fact that there will be a one Star Wars movie every year starting in 2013 be a great way to please fans of the franchise or a way for Disney to put quantity over quality and milk the cash cow dry?
4. Story?
The most interesting thing about Episode VII is that no story details have been revealed, apart from the fact that it will be an original story not based on any Expanded Universe material.
But just because it won’t be based on any expanded universe material, surely it could still use some elements from the literally thousands of books and comic books published over the years. The New Jedi Order, about the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, The Thrawn Trilogy, The Clone Saga, Crimson Empire, the list goes on. And if they really want to please the fans, surely they’ll at least take some elements from this countless list.
And hopefully they won’t create glaring inconsistencies with the expanded universe like The Clone Wars TV series did. And no stupidity along the lines of Darth Vader building C-3P0 or Owen not living with C-3P0 and not recognizing him when they meet again, please.
3. Carrie Fisher Will Return
Apparently not a joke as her publicist said it was before. Carrie Fisher is officially confirmed to return for Star Wars: Episode VII. Which is interesting news indeed, give that Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford are still unconfirmed.
And speaking of Ford, the actor famously refused to answer questions about Star Wars on Jimmy Kimmel Live. Which is about the closest he can come to being confirmed for Episode VII without being confirmed for Episode VII.
2. John Williams Will Likely Return To Compose The Music
Alarm bells started ringing when it was confirmed that J.J. Abrams might be getting his longtime composer Michael Giacchino to compose the music for Episode VII, rather than the great John Williams.
Thankfully, these appear to be just rumors. No disrespect to Giacchini, but Star Wars would not be Star Wars without Williams. The man who created all the extraordinary tunes that shaped so many of our childhoods will be returning to the franchise that made him a household name. Expect all your old favorites to return along with new classics that will be remembered for years to come.
By the way, if you listen to his Star Wars track Across The Stars and do not cry, you don’t have a heart.
1. J.J. Abrams Is The Director
The big man himself, George Lucas, will not direct Episode VII, and whether that’s a good or bad thing is up to you. Many people still don’t know that he didn’t direct The Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi. On Jan 24, 2013, it was confirmed that J.J Abrams would direct Star Wars: Episode VII, after it was apparently leaked that Matthew Vaughn would direct. Other directors rumored included Brad Bird, Joss Whedon, Neill Blomkamp and Joseph Kosinski.
Abrams is widely considered to be a competent and talented director, especially if the early reviews of Star Trek Into Darkness are anything to go by, as well as a proud nerd, with credits including Alias, Revolution, Alcatraz, and of course, his two most well known shows, Lost and Fringe. And while Mission Impossible 3 was a bit of a disappointment, as his first feature it was more than impressive. And Super 8 proved that he is perfectly capable of creating drama and emotion in addition to big special effects, while both his Star Trek films showed how he was capable of introducing a modern spin on a beloved franchise.
While he may not have been everyone’s first choice of director (it seems to be a requirement of any big blockbuster film today that Guillermo Del Toro must turn down the chance to direct), Abrams, with his certified geek credentials, is certainly a solid call.
So what do you think about the new Star Wars movies? Can 2015 not come soon enough or for you did the franchise end with Luke gazing at the Force Ghosts with the Ewok song playing in the background?