Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (USE SPOILER TAGS!)

[Nicky and Sue]

Originally Posted by beadelf

Yeah I want Lucas heavily involved...I mean I dont want him to direct but whatever anyone says, the man is highly creative.

True. His directing, writing and editing choices are not great, but his "story vision" is what makes star wars what it is.

When you watch the pre-production of the prequels you get the sense his choices are great. As in, the characters he chooses from that
artists make, is solid.

He is a producer type that sheppards things well. But he cannot write scripts, direct actors and have final cut on movies. Not if you want a
GREAT movie.

Star wars (new hope) would have been re-written by studio decree to fix issues, just because Lucas got writing credit means jack shit to how
GREAT the script was...Frank Darabont fixed up many films and received no credit because of how the WGA works. At 1977 lucas would have
felt pressure to collaborate more on writing and direction. People fought his decisions and he had to compromise to producers and studio input
= the best outcome was gotten for the product, not his single mindedness (which we saw how that panned out in 1999).

Now he is only a creative element, this puts the new film as a possibility to be shepparded and executed to the level of Raiders of the lost ark.
Where he is merely the inspiration, the genesis, father figure; but where better film-makers can shine to execute it.

Now Disney/lucasfilm just need those talents to be found.

The hired gun mentality in here is whacky.. Nolan = no. Ridley = no. Joss = no. Fincher = no.

I think JJ abrahms is a decent idea given how he modernized Star Trek. I'd prefer JJ helm directing a REBOOT though, not a continuation

Originally Posted by srinivas1015

I just have one question -
Will John Williams be back and if he won't be, will it still be 'Star Wars'?

No. We would need a John Williams 2.0 to carry on the themes, and actually should right now be working with John to make new theme ideas
based on other incarnations of Star Wars material (books etc). There should be a body of sheet music in place and owned by Disney/lucasfilm
that whoever does the score should John opt out (retirement, death), can implement.

But definitely someone who doesnt want to make a name for themselves, and instead just imitate Williams essence in these films

[legendarymatt92]

Originally Posted by Aragorn84

Well, Fox having the rights isn't really the problem. Lucas is the one who hasn't wanted the original versions released. I suppose with Kathleen Kennedy in charge of Lucasfilm, the ball would be in her court (and Fox would release whatever they're supplied with); but I don't really see her going against George's wishes.

But, apparantly, if you believe what Lucas says, he's claimed in interviews that he's always intended to re-release the UOT cuts but they weren't his priority - his priority was more about getting the releases to his vision, up to the standard he thought appropriate for the fans, and then releasing them to a grateful (he thought) crowd. All he got was hate and abuse, I suppose.

That's IF you believe what he said, though. Remember, it wasn't long ago that he claimed no other SW film would be made whilst he was alive...yet he's written the treatments for episodes 7, 8 and 9!

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by legendarymatt92

But, apparantly, if you believe what Lucas says, he's claimed in interviews that he's always intended to re-release the UOT cuts but they weren't his priority - his priority was more about getting the releases to his vision, up to the standard he thought appropriate for the fans, and then releasing them to a grateful (he thought) crowd. All he got was hate and abuse, I suppose.

That's IF you believe what he said, though. Remember, it wasn't long ago that he claimed no other SW film would be made whilst he was alive...yet he's written the treatments for episodes 7, 8 and 9!

that's because no one WANTED his vision

[Breather]

Originally Posted by Aragorn84

Well, Fox having the rights isn't really the problem. Lucas is the one who hasn't wanted the original versions released. I suppose with Kathleen Kennedy in charge of Lucasfilm, the ball would be in her court (and Fox would release whatever they're supplied with); but I don't really see her going against George's wishes.

If Lucas sold the original theatrical versions to Disney, and there was no stipulation in the deal forbidding their release, it would be up to Disney on whether to release them. Lucas would have no say. Kennedy would have no say as she is now an employee of Disney and according to the press release, now reports to Alan Horn, not to mention Bob Iger.

[legendarymatt92]

Originally Posted by wormraper

that's because no one WANTED his vision

He thought they did. As the original creator of the whole idea, I can kind of understand where he was coming from -- if he thought that, when he made the original trilogy, he didn't have the technological capacity to create what he wanted to, then I see no problem with him changing things later to suit his vision. After all, that's what people go to the cinema to see -- a director's vision.

He should have just allowed both cuts to be released on home media formats at the same time, and allowed the fans to choose which version they wanted to buy...or would that have hurt his ego?

[frogmort]

If I'm not mistaken, won't this sale allow Spielberg to legally direct a Star Wars film? I think that with Lucas' story treatments, and with Spielberg's directing, this could be the best possible scenario for Star Wars ever!

[stlcards]

For 7, since it's an original story, maybe set it 50 or 60 years after ROTJ (after major original characters have died) and you could still have cameo by Force Ghost Luke Skywalker and have Mark Hamill voice himself. Also, I've read mention of John Carter. I loved that movie and still would like a sequel.

[Shanderson88]

Originally Posted by stlcards

For 7, since it's an original story, maybe set it 50 or 60 years after ROTJ (after major original characters have died) and you could still have cameo by Force Ghost Luke Skywalker and have Mark Hamill voice himself. Also, I've read mention of John Carter. I loved that movie and still would like a sequel.

I recently had some buddies over and one noticed this in my blu ray collection on the wall. He acted stunned that I would buy that, even though he has never seen it, because all of the stories about box office failure lead him to believe it was a terrible movie. Shame people get that perception, I really enjoyed John Carter.

Highly doubt a sequel would ever come though, I would celebrate it, but it just doesn't make financial sense.

[roy neary]

I'm thinking that Disney will want a fresh start with everything. It just makes sense for them to get the UOT out on Blu-ray because they'd want a fan-base where EVERYONE is happy, unlike George who didn't give a s**t. Disney will want to build hype and not have this issue constantly getting in the way and being a distraction. Because this new ownership situation is going to open the floodgates again with new petitions etc. It just makes good sense to release the UOT AND puts money in their pockets at the same time. And next year is Jedi's 30th anniversary...

[Beast]

Originally Posted by roy neary

I'm thinking that Disney will want a fresh start with everything. It just makes sense for them to get the UOT out on Blu-ray because they'd want a fan-base where EVERYONE is happy, unlike George who didn't give a s**t. Disney will want to build hype and not have this issue constantly getting in the way and being a distraction. Because this new ownership situation is going to open the floodgates again with new petitions etc. It just makes good sense to release the UOT AND puts money in their pockets at the same time. And next year is Jedi's 30th anniversary...

You're assuming that everyone cares about the UOT. It's a very vocal minority. The average fan or moviegoer probably couldn't care less.

And again, the release of the OUT isn't going to be something that can easily just be cranked out. There's a lot of work to be done.

Plus you have the whole Fox issue, where Disney can't release jack or squat right now anyway. So that's another hurdle.

The hype is already built in. They don't have to do anything. Just look at the nearly 50 page thread here about something we have very few details on.

[scoogs]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

I'm actually really hoping to see Joe Johnston picking up where Lucas left off. He seems like the perfect, and obvious, choice for the role of directing the new trilogy. Not to mention he has previous history with Disney and Marvel as well ('The Rocketeer', 'Captain America: The First Avenger'). I think he should definitely get a shock at taking the series into it's next phase. It would be a perfect pick and I think that it would keep the series within the Lucas family in a way. Make it happen, Disney.

Is everyone forgetting that Joe Johnston was also part of the original ILM team and played a major role in the look and design of the OT?
I still have the old "Art of" books and his name is on nearly as many sketches as Ralph McQuarrie's. In my mind that would make him a great choice to carry the look and feel of the originals into the sequels.

[Aragorn the Elfstone]

Every Star Wars fan I know wants a release of the UOT. Not just on the internet - but people I talk to regularly.

We may be a minority. But it's a friggin' big minority.

[wormraper]

Originally Posted by Aragorn84

Every Star Wars fan I know wants a release of the UOT. Not just on the internet - but people I talk to regularly.

We may be a minority. But it's a friggin' big minority.

exactly and don't discount the power of a vocal minority. why do you think Lucas was so sick of SW... because that vocal minority has been hounding him for 20 YEARS!!!!!!

[scoogs]

Originally Posted by Aragorn84

Every Star Wars fan I know wants a release of the UOT. Not just on the internet - but people I talk to regularly.

We may be a minority. But it's a friggin' big minority.

Same here. I'm always suprised how many casual fans mention wanting the UOT.

[Breather]

Originally Posted by roy neary

I'm thinking that Disney will want a fresh start with everything. It just makes sense for them to get the UOT out on Blu-ray because they'd want a fan-base where EVERYONE is happy, unlike George who didn't give a s**t. Disney will want to build hype and not have this issue constantly getting in the way and being a distraction. Because this new ownership situation is going to open the floodgates again with new petitions etc. It just makes good sense to release the UOT AND puts money in their pockets at the same time. And next year is Jedi's 30th anniversary...

If Lucas sold them the UOT with no restrictions in the deal, it will be released. Star Wars fans will definitely buy it. Your average mom and pop movie buyer, probably not. Fans? Yes.

[roy neary]

Originally Posted by Beast

You're assuming that everyone cares about the UOT. It's a very vocal minority. The average fan or moviegoer probably couldn't care less.

And again, the release of the OUT isn't going to be something that can easily just be cranked out. There's a lot of work to be done.

Plus you have the whole Fox issue, where Disney can't release jack or squat right now anyway. So that's another hurdle.

The hype is already built in. They don't have to do anything. Just look at the nearly 50 page thread here about something we have very few details on.

I didn't assume that "everyone cares". But based on the number of people that signed the petition over at ot.com way back when I'd say it's a pretty BIG minority. Also, this thread is filled with UOT talk.
"The squeaky wheel gets the oil".

[Beast]

Originally Posted by roy neary

I didn't assume that "everyone cares". But based on the number of people that signed the petition over at ot.com way back when I'd say it's a pretty BIG minority. Also, this thread is filled with UOT talk.
"The squeaky wheel gets the oil".

Online petitions are meaningless. Same with E-Mail campaigns. There's no requirements of proof for them.

And of course this thread is full of that talk. But again, this is due to the fanbase that is here. Which is small in comparison.

[Blu Warrior]

Originally Posted by Breather

If Lucas sold them the UOT with no restrictions in the deal, it will be released. Star Wars fans will definitely buy it. Your average mom and pop movie buyer, probably not. Fans? Yes.

I am a fan and no, I wouldn't buy it. I have the originals on LD as well dvd copies and I never feel the urge to watch them. I would rather watch the Special Editions with their better sound and updated effects. It makes the whole saga flow better. Funny, I never hear anyone talking outside the internet about the unaltered versions.

[roy neary]

Originally Posted by Beast

Online petitions are meaningless. Same with E-Mail campaigns. There's no requirements of proof for them.

And of course this thread is full of that talk. But again, this is due to the fanbase that is here. Which is small in comparison.

Just because YOU don't care about the UOTs doesn't mean that its fanbase is small. I'm pretty sure attention is paid to any kind of petition that garners that many signatures.

I really don't understand this underlying attitude of people that have no interest in the UOT... it seems to bother them that so many people DO care

[BouCoupDinkyDau]

Originally Posted by Aragorn84

Every Star Wars fan I know wants a release of the UOT. Not just on the internet - but people I talk to regularly.

We may be a minority. But it's a friggin' big minority.

We're not a minority. That's just what Lucas fanboys like to flout because they see the UOT as a step backwards rather than forwards, and like Lucas, they want it erased from existence.

Almost every single person I know that loves movies wants the UOT as well.