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Star Wars was always going to be a 9 part series. These new movies are not out of the blue. They were planned by Lucas over 30 years ago.

When Disney bought the rights to Star Wars they also bought the treatments George Lucas laid out going forward.

I know this; I actually read the (very turgid) books a long time ago when I wanted to see what all of the fuss about Star Wars actually was about. However, to be perfectly honest, I don't think there is enough of narrative interest to justify nine books, let alone nine movies. The tales are extraordinarily threadbare, and badly written, hence the need to plump them up with special effects and bombast.

The original trilogy told the story that was interesting, and had epic undertones, along with a strong narrative arc, which was why the original movies concentrated on these, discreetly over-looking the fact that the story was told somewhat out of sequence.

Another single movie (and not three) - if properly done - could easily have told the story of Anakin's life's journey - the one leading to his moral collapse and physical transformation. (Godfather II charted the disintegration of Michael Corleone's moral universe exceptionally well).


My concern with this is that I seriously doubt that there is enough basic narrative material - in other words, enough story, and the best movies are stories which are well told, where props, and special effects, (and dare one say it, CGI) support the story, rather than the other way around, - to carry three movies.
 
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For me, seeing a black Storm Trooper kind of makes me hate the Empire less. I always assumed they were like pro-Aryan space nazis kind of a thing. The fact that they employ other ethnicities is welcome, of course, but less evil than I originally thought.

Kinda odd considering stormtroopers are cloned from Jango Fett who is played by a Maori actor. Pretty far from aryan
 
Kinda odd considering stormtroopers are cloned from Jango Fett who is played by a Maori actor. Pretty far from aryan

...as you might have deduced, I'm hardly a big Trekkie. I just always assumed the bad guys were Nazi-ish.
 
A trekkie is a fan of Star Trek, this thread is about Star Wars.:p

Oh. Sorry! I get confused with Arthur C. Clarke's books and movies, as you can tell. Plus it's been years since I've watched them. All I remember is "Open the pod-bay doors, Chewie." and "Beam me up, Luke, because I'm your father." I will say I do a great Capt. Jack Harkness imitation, so that has to count for something though.

That Eddie Izzard segment about Darth Vadar was hilarious.
 
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I know this; I actually read the (very turgid) books a long time ago when I wanted to see what all of the fuss about Star Wars actually was about. However, to be perfectly honest, I don't think there is enough of narrative interest to justify nine books, let alone nine movies. The tales are extraordinarily threadbare, and badly written, hence the need to plump them up with special effects and bombast.

The original trilogy told the story that was interesting, and had epic undertones, along with a strong narrative arc, which was why the original movies concentrated on these, discreetly over-looking the fact that the story was told somewhat out of sequence.

Another single movie (and not three) - if properly done - could easily have told the story of Anakin's life's journey - the one leading to his moral collapse and physical transformation. (Godfather II charted the disintegration of Michael Corleone's moral universe exceptionally well).

My concern with this is that I seriously doubt that there is enough basic narrative material - in other words, enough story, and the best movies are stories which are well told, where props, and special effects, (and dare one say it, CGI) support the story, rather than the other way around, - to carry three movies.

Since I'm going to repeat rant a bit on movies sequels in general I've answered this over in the Movie thread. :)
 
There was always a plan for 9 films in this series, so I am not so up in arms about the new trilogy. I expect it to be very good at the least.

I'm not upset about the idea 9 SWs movies as long as they are worthy. My ire is directed at 9+ hrs of movies coming from a 250 page book, or splitting books that don't have to be, such as Mockingjay. Crass calculation for monetary gain. If I have concern about SWs, it's incorporating these old characters into the new chapters. It could be ok. :)
 
Get back to me in 9 months with a real trailer and maybe I'll care.

A teaser over a year out does nothing for me, but then again I'm not a huge Star Wars geek.
 
I'm not upset about the idea 9 SWs movies as long as they are worthy. My ire is directed at 9+ hrs of movies coming from a 250 page book, or splitting books that don't have to be, such as Mockingjay. Crass calculation for monetary gain. If I have concern about SWs, it's incorporating these old characters into the new chapters. It could be ok. :)

Ah, that is what I thought you meant sir. I am actually dreading seeing the last Hobbit film as I can't even watch the previous two now. Since I do not have to pay to see it, great. As far as other short books being made into an unnecessary stream of endless sequels, agreed. While there were book sequels to Logan's Run, I purposely never sought them out because I felt that was a terrific done-in-one story.

Re: Star Wars, I think they'll have a viable reason for Luke to be included (from the rumors I've read many of those could lead to fun and/or interesting moments of characterization and plot points.)

I've never been big on Han and Leia as a couple (a huge reason why I've barely read any of the SW novels/comics dealing with them), so unless one or more of the young cast are their offspring, I cannot really see a reason for them being included beyond nostalgia and Harrison's wish of killing Han off already.* Ford apparently wanted out after Empire Strikes Back...but...what do I know. :D
 
I know this; I actually read the (very turgid) books a long time ago when I wanted to see what all of the fuss about Star Wars actually was about. However, to be perfectly honest, I don't think there is enough of narrative interest to justify nine books, let alone nine movies. The tales are extraordinarily threadbare, and badly written, hence the need to plump them up with special effects and bombast.

The original trilogy told the story that was interesting, and had epic undertones, along with a strong narrative arc, which was why the original movies concentrated on these, discreetly over-looking the fact that the story was told somewhat out of sequence.

Another single movie (and not three) - if properly done - could easily have told the story of Anakin's life's journey - the one leading to his moral collapse and physical transformation. (Godfather II charted the disintegration of Michael Corleone's moral universe exceptionally well).

My concern with this is that I seriously doubt that there is enough basic narrative material - in other words, enough story, and the best movies are stories which are well told, where props, and special effects, (and dare one say it, CGI) support the story, rather than the other way around, - to carry three movies.

I think they could do it if they got the writers. Not to mention the trailer looks awesome and JJ Abrams did a fantastic job with the Star Trek movies, IMO.
 
Ah, that is what I thought you meant sir. I am actually dreading seeing the last Hobbit film as I can't even watch the previous two now. Since I do not have to pay to see it, great. As far as other short books being made into an unnecessary stream of endless sequels, agreed. While there were book sequels to Logan's Run, I purposely never sought them out because I felt that was a terrific done-in-one story.

Re: Star Wars, I think they'll have a viable reason for Luke to be included (from the rumors I've read many of those could lead to fun and/or interesting moments of characterization and plot points.)

I've never been big on Han and Leia as a couple (a huge reason why I've barely read any of the SW novels/comics dealing with them), so unless one or more of the young cast are their offspring, I cannot really see a reason for them being included beyond nostalgia and Harrison's wish of killing Han off already.* Ford apparently wanted out after Empire Strikes Back...but...what do I know. :D

Han and Leia had three kids. Jacen and Jaine the twins. Jacen turned to the dark side and his sister killed him.
Anakin their youngest. He died fighting the Vong.

Oh no wait. None of that happened anymore did it? Grrrr. Can I have a refund on 30 years of books and comics please?
 
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I'm still upset about all of the thousands of needless contractor deaths who were working on the uncompleted Death Star when Lando blew it up. :p
 
Han and Leia had three kids. Jacen and Jaine the twins. Jacen turned to the dark side and his sister killed him.
Anakin their youngest. He died fighting the Vong.

Oh no wait. None of that happened anymore did it? Grrrr. Can I have a refund on 30 years of books and comics please?

Refunds would be nice. Give this man one please...

Sigh that sounds...depressing. That said, many thanks for the quick lesson on that which no longer exists. I could use a refund myself. I've read two novels since The Thrawn trilogy and anything John Ostrander and Jan Duursema created (if only Marvel would hire these two...)
 
Refunds would be nice. Give this man one please...

Sigh that sounds...depressing. That said, many thanks for the quick lesson on that which no longer exists. I could use a refund myself. I've read two novels since The Thrawn trilogy and anything John Ostrander and Jan Duursema created (if only Marvel would hire these two...)

The Thawn trilogy was great. Now that could have been thir movies right there.
 
Star Wars 7: The Return of the FARCE. Abrams will do the same damage to SW that he did to the ST reboot.
 
Since I'm going to repeat rant a bit on movies sequels in general I've answered this over in the Movie thread. :)

Well, I think it entirely appropriate to 'repeat the rant' on the whole (depressing and predictable) idea of movie sequels, or rather, on the whole idea that the movie industry seems to have decided to make very little else other than movie sequels.

If I wish to see, or revisit, characters with whom I am familiar, I am perfectly happy to do it within the context of a novel, or TV series. I prefer a bit of creativity and originality, not to mention a strong narrative and decent and interesting set of characters (along with some character development) in my movies.
 
Han and Leia had three kids. Jacen and Jaine the twins. Jacen turned to the dark side and his sister killed him.
Anakin their youngest. He died fighting the Vong.

Oh no wait. None of that happened anymore did it? Grrrr. Can I have a refund on 30 years of books and comics please?

Shame on you for not labeling this as a possible spoiler... Has the plot of these movies been released? :confused:
 
I'm excited because in my opinion, it cannot be any worse than Lucas' last 3 attempts. The teaser didn't shoe much, but I hope it is indicative of the tone that the movie will take.
 
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