The entertainment world felt a tectonic shift when George Lucas handed his entire life’s work over to Disney. Since then, word on the imminent Star Wars trilogy has been spewing like lava, the most volcanic news being that of J.J. Abrams directing Episode VII. While the media jumps for joy at this goldmine of coverage and rumor, fanboys everywhere watch in shock, waiting to see if this is just another Orson Welles, War of the Worlds-type hoax.
“It’s emerging from the giant cylinder now… There are hundreds of tentacles… It’s J.J. Abrams! He’s absorbing another franchise! The horror!”
Before fans finished building their fallout shelters, J.J. Abrams released something of a mission statement, and it’s the only thing anyone wanted to hear: “I want to do the fans proud. I want to make sure the story is something that touches people.”
Abrams has proven himself as a director enough times to make the most die hard Star Wars fan feel at ease. His best work has been done as homage with a twist, from taking the reigns of Mission: Impossible and Star Trek to mimicking Steven Spielberg in Super 8. (Not that being a fan of the source material ever equals a good adaptation).
“Don’t even worry about the lines, John Carter. Can I call you John Carter?”
That’s why I’ve put together this list of do’s and don’t’s as a star chart for our ship’s new captain. Fortunately, the most obvious “do” is right in the above quote: make a story that matters on an emotional level. But it might be easy to get carried away with action and special effects when dealing with your favorite franchise.
“Speak for yourself.”
So, on behalf of every overly opinionated and entitled, and frankly nervous, fan out there, here’s how to do us proud.
Do Keep It in the Family
It might sound more like soap opera than space opera, but Darth Maul’s nephew doesn’t need to have a vendetta against Obi-Wan’s second cousin. George Lucas insists that Star Wars is about Anakin, while the fans say it’s all about Luke (if only to forget Hayden Christensen). Either way, Star Wars is about the Skywalkers, a special family whose own fate is inextricably linked to that of the whole galaxy. The temptation might be to revitalize the saga with hot, young actors, but the story has always rested on the shoulders of its older, wiser mentors. And it’s Mark Hamill’s turn to play that role.
He’s got a lot of work to do.
At the end of Episode VI, Luke is the last of the Jedi, like Obi-Wan once was before him. Episode VII will presumably introduce him as the first of a new generation. No one has any illusions about the original cast carrying the new film, and the last thing we want is Harrison Ford delivering more old-age jokes.
“I can’t make the Kessel run like I used to. More like 24 parsecs! Am I right?”
Besides, as a Jedi, Luke’s not supposed to engender a family. But the Skywalker blood (please, no midichlorians!) continues in Leia’s progeny with Han.
Don’t Get Bogged Down in Politics
The Original Trilogy was a formulaic hero’s journey, a children’s bedtime story of good versus evil. With the saga and its fans having aged 20 years, the Prequel Trilogy understandably had to show greater maturity. Hence the trade disputes, blockades, Senate hearings, and Chancellor elections.
At this rate, the new trilogy should revolve around Jedi marriage rights and the ethics of force lightning.
It will be music to any Hollywood producer’s ears that the more formulaic and cliched of the trilogies was the far more successful and resonant one. I personally appreciated the level of detail and complexity that Lucas added to the saga, but the politics were rather heavy-handed and time-consuming. Eventually, they became just another sticking point in fans’ grievances over the Prequel Trilogy. While no one laments added depth, the characters and their relationships should always remain in the foreground.
Do Hire the Best in Artistic Design
One of the best parts of Star Wars is the fantastic design work. The Original Trilogy introduced organic creatures, complex cultures, and lived-in environments. Dialogue and politics aside, the Prequel Trilogy boasted just as much imagination as, if not more than, the Original. The designs also have to make sense in context. One could easily explain away the apparent dilapidation of the Empire from Episode III to IV.
“Hey Darth, whatever happened to those droidekas? Are they still lying around?”
But it wouldn’t make much sense to see a huge jump in technology during the years between VI and VII as the galaxy recovers from an exhaustive war.
Don’t Underestimate Practical Effects
CGI has certainly revolutionized film. It’s allowed us to see pretty much anything that anyone can imagine on screen, and it’s gotten pretty damn believable. But don’t underestimate the audience’s ability to recognize authentic, physical production work. For The Lord of the Rings, Peter Jackson resolved to create an authentic Middle-Earth. So his departments at WETA fashioned handmade clothing, weaponry, and armor, and committed the same amount of detail to the makeup work. The result was both stunning and noticeable.
In other words, puppets work. They create a far greater sense of familiarity with the audience. Whereas Yoda used to be a cute, charming puppet, he later became an intangible and weightless bundle of ones and zeros. But this isn’t just about tradition and reminiscing over the OT. There’s a reason we become attached to real, physical puppets, even when they’re essentially a felt sock with googly eyes pasted on.
“Hey, cheer up, you don’t need a girlfriend! We’ll always have each other!”
Do Relax with the Lens Flare
This is a “Do,” not a “Don’t,” because it shouldn’t feel like a restriction. We want all of George’s imagination and creativity, and none of his direction. That’s what J.J. is for. Why not let him leave his stamp? If he wants to throw in a few of his distinctive lens flares, we’ll understand. Every director has his John Hancock. Spielberg has daddy issues, Michael Bay has explosions, and Tim Burton has Johnny Depp. Go ahead, remind us who to thank (or crucify) at the end of the movie. But at least let us see what’s happening on screen.
If you squint your eyes, you can tell there are actors.
Considering J.J.’s penchant for secrecy, at least we know he won’t let any unfortunate spoilers slip.
Cinema Think Tank 