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

[AaronJ]

I have limited interest in this, so I haven't been following it all that closely. But I wonder how much real control JJ actually has over what happens.

[MachineGod]

Seems to me like he has a strong level of control, and I dont think Kathleen Kennedy would put a leash on him.

[aiman04]

Originally Posted by MachineGod

Seems to me like he has a strong level of control, and I dont think Kathleen Kennedy would put a leash on him.

Not sure if that is a good thing actually. I can only hope that Abrams listens a lot to Kasdan.

[thunderforce]

They own Marvel so I am sure they know that they need someone to oversee the whole universe to make sure things fall in place the right way .

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by thunderforce

They own Marvel so I am sure they know that they need someone to oversee the whole universe to make sure things fall in place the right way .

That would be Kathleen Kennedy.

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by aiman04

JJ Abrams wouldn't dare to change anything. I'm actually starting to get a bad feeling about this. From what I've seen and read, it's everthing we ever loved from the original trilogy, from plot to scenes to locations. That sounds good, but it could also turn out to be a fan-service. Honestly the images are slowly looking like it's from as big-budget fan-made movie. If that works for the box-office, it's not because of him but rather the nostalgia itself. Sorry this is my honest feeling right now, I'm quite nervous as December coming closer. I hope I will be proven wrong, because I want this to be good.

I mean seriously what are you expecting really? If anyone here thinks this will be in the same ballpark as the OT you are just kidding yourselves. You can't bring back what happened back then. You can never recapture that same level of magic. At least it will hopefully be light years away from the PT and if nothing else give us a "small" feel of what it was like so long ago. I think everyone should just enjoy what comes out, it will be much better than the prequels and will never live up to the originals. Just accept it for what it is, as there is no reason to be nervous but setting yourself up to equal May 25th 1977 and May 21st 1980 would be your own fault.

[StingingVelvet]

It will never have that glorious nostalgia factor, true. It could be a great movie but the chances of it living up to idealized childhood memories are almost nil. Sequels are tricky for more than just standard quality reasons of a good script and director. This movie has to hit a lot of buttons... nostalgia for the original trilogy, bring the characters back effectively, starting the new characters' journeys effectively, making enough changes to be worthwhile and capturing the attention of people who grew up with the prequels or no Star Wars at all. It's a tough task.

I asked my 10 year old nephew the other day if he was excited for the new Star Wars. He shrugged and said "I guess" before going into a long speech about how great Captain America was in Avengers 2. It's a different era, and JJ needs to grab my nephew's attention just as much as mine.

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

It will never have that glorious nostalgia factor, true. It could be a great movie but the chances of it living up to idealized childhood memories are almost nil. Sequels are tricky for more than just standard quality reasons of a good script and director. This movie has to hit a lot of buttons... nostalgia for the original trilogy, bring the characters back effectively, starting the new characters' journeys effectively, making enough changes to be worthwhile and capturing the attention of people who grew up with the prequels or no Star Wars at all. It's a tough task.

I asked my 10 year old nephew the other day if he was excited for the new Star Wars. He shrugged and said "I guess" before going into a long speech about how great Captain America was in Avengers 2. It's a different era, and JJ needs to grab my nephew's attention just as much as mine.

Been saying that for awhile. and really I think that it always be apart of that era. I hope he just grabs my attention, I could care less about this younger generations attention. They have The Dawn of Justice upcoming.

I just hope that it gives me personally a taste of what I felt long ago and I think it will. JJ did a pretty good job of that a few years ago with Super 8. Although I didn't care for the ending that film reminded me of all those summers ago like 77 through 84. It just reminded me of earlier Spielberg films. I don't think I have had as much fun walking out of a theater in years as I did after Super 8. I just don't get that same vibe even from all the Marvel films that I enjoy.

[MrsMiniver]

Originally Posted by StingingVelvet

It will never have that glorious nostalgia factor, true. It could be a great movie but the chances of it living up to idealized childhood memories are almost nil. Sequels are tricky for more than just standard quality reasons of a good script and director. This movie has to hit a lot of buttons... nostalgia for the original trilogy, bring the characters back effectively, starting the new characters' journeys effectively, making enough changes to be worthwhile and capturing the attention of people who grew up with the prequels or no Star Wars at all. It's a tough task.

I asked my 10 year old nephew the other day if he was excited for the new Star Wars. He shrugged and said "I guess" before going into a long speech about how great Captain America was in Avengers 2. It's a different era, and JJ needs to grab my nephew's attention just as much as mine.

I think the 10 year old nephew will be pretty impressed when the marketing machine, toys, and finally the movie gets released.

[MechaGodzilla]

Lots of kids of my generation (me included) got into Star Wars through the prequels, lots of kids since then have got into Star Wars through The Clone Wars, and kids now will discover it through the sequel trilogy and spin-offs. Just you wait, once The Force Awakens is out, and it's followed by the other movies, kids like StingingVelvet's nephew will be converts. Having new releases to follow, to be able to follow it as it's happening and be part of the hype is a big help in making kids fall in love with something.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by rickah88

Excellent post!

That image reinforces why I thank George Lucas for giving me so much more than he's ever taken away.

Rock on Georgie!

That's something that I HOPE doesn't get lost in all of the prequel bashing. At the end of the day, none of us would be here if it weren't for George Lucas and his creative vision. I will forever be grateful to him for creating something that has had such a profound impact on my life!

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by MechaGodzilla

Lots of kids of my generation (me included) got into Star Wars through the prequels, lots of kids since then have got into Star Wars through The Clone Wars, and kids now will discover it through the sequel trilogy and spin-offs. Just you wait, once The Force Awakens is out, and it's followed by the other movies, kids like StingingVelvet's nephew will be converts. Having new releases to follow, to be able to follow it as it's happening and be part of the hype is a big help in making kids fall in love with something.

My son has seen all 6 of the movies. The Phantom Menace is his favorite. People sometimes tend to forget that George created these movies first and foremost for kids.

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

My son has seen all 6 of the movies. The Phantom Menace is his favorite. People sometimes tend to forget that George created these movies first and foremost for kids.

I am so glad that he has nothing to do with this current film. George lost his way decades ago and I am thankful someone from the same generation I'm from is doing this film. George could not tap into what was so great about the originals. I think everyone here thanks George for what he brought to the table, but it's very bitter sweet for many of us to give him praise now (and it has nothing to do with the PT). I for one am ready to move on from George Lucas.

[Thomas Guycott]

Originally Posted by thunderforce

Cool I didn't know that , but if you have witches why not druids lol .

If you want Star Wars to not be Star Wars then don't watch Star Wars.

[greg_achen]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

My son has seen all 6 of the movies. The Phantom Menace is his favorite. People sometimes tend to forget that George created these movies first and foremost for kids.

Ha. No. He made at least the first couple of films for general audiences. The "made for kids" line is just one in a long list of revisionist statements about these films. Not saying he didn't have kids in mind when making the original films, but the made exclusively for kids talk didn't begin until Phantom Menace. By Revenge of the Sith it went closer back into general audience territory, and The Force Awakens, at least so far, appears to be totally back in line with the tone of A New Hope and Empire.

[Blu Warrior]

Originally Posted by greg_achen

Ha. No. He made at least the first couple of films for general audiences. The "made for kids" line is just one in a long list of revisionist statements about these films. Not saying he didn't have kids in mind when making the original films, but the made exclusively for kids talk didn't begin until Phantom Menace. By Revenge of the Sith it went closer back into general audience territory, and The Force Awakens, at least so far, appears to be totally back in line with the tone of A New Hope and Empire.

You have no idea what you're talking about.

[LegacyCosts]

The original trilogy can be watched by kids or adults, the prequels shouldn't be watched by kids or adults.

[BB-8]

Originally Posted by LegacyCosts

The original trilogy can be watched by kids or adults, the prequels shouldn't be watched by kids or adults.

I'm sorry but you have to except the fact that some people like them.

[Angel Eyes]

Originally Posted by Blu Warrior

You have no idea what you're talking about.

He never set out to make them "specifically" for kids. He set out to make a film in the same vein as a Flash Gordon or Buck Rogers serial like back in the 1930's. I think this "I made them for kids" thing cropped up around the time he was kidd'ing (is that a word?) down the films with Return of the Jedi. Ironically where the train started to derail in many ways. I personally hope the film is more geared towards Star Wars and Empire and not Jedi.

[MachineGod]

Originally Posted by aiman04

Not sure if that is a good thing actually. I can only hope that Abrams listens a lot to Kasdan.

I agree. I'm not a huge fan of Abrams but I do think he's good enough and better than Lucas. It's Kasden that really got me excited for all this.

Nobody better be putting a leash on Kasden (I doubt it it)