 |
| Words I thought I'd never see, coming soon to movie screens... |
I have had major dental treatment today so the news that came through this evening UK time caught me by such a big surprise that I thought I was still suffering from some kind of blurry dream courtesy of anasthetic injections! But the news is true, it's real: a new STAR WARS film-Episode VII, is coming in 2015, followed by VIII and IX! It's no April fool. NEW STAR WARS FILMS! LUCASFILM and its incredible business empire/legacy has been sold to DISNEY for $4 billion dollars, and new LUCASFILM President and very safe pair of hands, Kathleen Kennedy, with the blessing of Uncle George- passing the torch in a way I never thought he'd do, has initiated the bold move to bring all-new adventures to the big screen, of which, though he's really sadly retiring, the saga's creator will still be around as a creative consultant, though hopefully not in the shunted around way that poor Gene Roddenberry was with the STAR TREK films by PARAMOUNT after STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE in 1980. DISNEY, you disrespect George and we'll be picketing the studio gates!
 |
| Lucas and David Tattersall prepare to film the closing scenes of EPISODE III back in 2003. |
Seriously, though, and on a fine note for STAR WARS AFICIONADO as it's about to celebrate its tenth year as a magazine and online source, whilst coming up to 1,000 blog articles, I wish George Lucas, Kathleen Kennedy, LUCASFILM, and DISNEY well and the very heights of success with this surprising news, hoping for creative excellence and bold storytelling in the saga, continuing its incredible legacy and hopefully building on it with the kind of action, adventure and imagination which we haven't seen before. Also, there's the hope surely shared by all in the STAR WARS fan community, and mentioned by Lucas in the video press statement, that we might finally get new films based on the remaining and elusively mysterious storyline notes for the saga post Classic Trilogy that have been present to tease our minds since the seventies/eighties within George's red ring binder (or will the so far unmade storylines for STAR WARS: UNDERWORLD be adapted into the new post Prequel/post Classic Trilogy eras?).
 |
| Will Mark Hamill and Luke Skywalker return? |
I personally want to see the return of Mark Hamill as older, wiser Jedi General Luke Skywalker at least for one film-Lucas did mention the possibility of this to the actor way back in 1983. I want to see our hero lead the next generation of Skywalkers, and the New Republic, into battle against the Empire or whatever baddies old or new are concocted to fight them. And surely loveable droids Threepio and Artoo-once conceived as the focal point running across all the films- will be along for the ride of their lives, too. Most of all, I just want to see great new STAR WARS adventures, well-made and putting the fun back into movies worthy of the original Lucas name. This is a return to the big screen that must be lovingly and properly thought out, especially with DISNEY's involvement. None of the merchandise phenomenon to follow will mean a damn, or be as successful, if the films and their characters aren't memorable.
I never thought this was going to happen ever again, and I personally have missed seeing new STAR WARS on the big screen since EPISODE III triumphantly closed the saga, or so we thought, back in May 2005. STAR WARS AFICIONADO will be around in one form or another to cover the return of STAR WARS to the big screen ten years on, and we can't wait! Oh, and George/Kathleen, I'm free to help out if you need me!
The future of STAR WARS and George Lucas: StarWars.com | New Video Series: A Discussion About the Future of Star Wars
Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm - YouTube
Official Blogs linked to the momentus announcement: The Official Star Wars Blog | The Long, Winding, and Shapeshifting Trail to Episodes VII, VIII & IX
The Official Star Wars Blog | On the Brink of the Future
DREAMS AND VISIONS PRESS alumni John Scoleri has set up a blog regarding his thoughts about the new series and its potential. Check it out here: The Sequel Trilogy
I am still in a state of disbelief, never thought I would live to see the day were anothe Star Wars film would be made.
ReplyDelete-James