What Rob you don't want to see Han flying around the Millennium Falcon with his left turn signal stuck on?
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Informed sources tell Vulture that Star Wars: Episode VII has found a leading candidate to write the film's screenplay: Michael Arndt, the Pixar favorite who was nominated for an Oscar for Toy Story 3, won an Oscar for Little Miss Sunshine, and wrote The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, which is currently shooting. Insiders confirm that Arndt has written a 40- to 50-page treatment for the film and is likely to be at least one of the writers when the Disney/Lucasfilm project begins shooting in 2014.It's not that I'm looking at this dude's resume and saying, "Oh my god, he'd be perfect for Star Wars" but instead I'm looking at it and not seeing any problems. Toy Story 3 is an all-ages film, but it has plenty of fun and drama; assuming Catching Fire isn't a wash, it's a good mix of action and drama, and the Little Miss Sunshine is a character-based drama. Sure, Arndt doesn't really have any sci-fi expertise, but Star Wars isn't that sci-fi -- it's the good characters and relationships and fun, meaningful action that the movie needs back. But the article doesn't end there (unfortunately):
The merger between George Lucas's brainchild and Disney, announced October 30, caught the town by surprise. And talent agents were similarly astonished to learn that Arndt had been at work on the treatment long before the deal was announced, catching them flat-footed and cutting off any chance they'd have to proffer their own many eager candidates for the coveted job.
Sources also tell Vulture that the studio's brass want to bring back the three central characters of the original Star Wars: a much older Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo. No deals are in place with any of the original actors, though our source did say it had high ambitions to sign up Mark Hamill, and EW recently reported that Harrison Ford was open to the idea of returning.Look, I've said this before, but I don't want Luke, Leia and Han in the new trilogy. I don't even want Artoo and Threepio, although I think my chances of them not appearing about 1-in-1138.
Look, I can see myself getting older every time I look in the mirror. Wrinkles are forming, my body is deteriorating, and it sucks. I am perfectly fine remembering Luke Skywalker as the eternally young warrior who took down the Empire. I really, really do not need to see Luke trudge over to his special ergonomic chair in the Jedi Academy so he can tell the new youngling how his dad would have murdered them and stacked their bodies like cordwood.
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47 comments
Just use the "Jeff Bridges at the beginning of Tron: Legacy" CGI treatment for Luke, Leia, and Han.
I´ve got nothing against using the Big Three again because they can´t possibly look too miserable. When they get older they probably get completely different jobs in the New Republic and have real careers in the future they helped build. I am certain they won´t be depressing like Han getting a job as a tax accountant or still trying to look sexy in his open shirt and vest.
Like someone said: Luke channeling the Obi-Wan, Leia being more like a regular politician and Han... as head of military? (I really have no idea what a smuggler could do in a legitimate government, but being Rebel General and having Leia as a wife should help him.)
It could also make the change to new actors more understanding and acceptable when the old crew is giving their blessing personally. You could argue they did this already when going from PT to OT with Anakin/Vader, Obi-Wan and Yoda. Directly starting with new guys thousand years later always feels a little iffy, like all the effort of the first troupe was how they say it in Germany: for the ass (I look at you Legacy!).
I hope it turns out like Legend of Korra and everything feels like a logical continuation of the story. Not just everybody sitting on their asses until a new villain comes out of left field with nearly no justification (looking at you: Vongs!).
I could live with the older characters as a "passing the torch" deal as long as they aren't shoehorned in constantly like in the prequels. "Look! Something familiar! See its Star Wars! Really!"
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I think you're thinking about it the wrong way, Rob. I agree that I can't think of a way to have Harrison and Carrie in the movie that won't come off as disappointing (yet) but there is no reason Mark couldn't fit into the story as the old, hermit like Obi-Wan character from episode 4. Aged jedi, passing on his wisdom, if you will. I think that would actually be perfect in a way.
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I am telling you, they are going to have Han, Leia and Luke in that creepy Jeff Bridges Tron Legacy style.
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@Canadian.Scott the only problem with Tron Legacy was that Tron wasn't in it - didn't have a problem with the effects because although they looked like effects so did everything else
@Gallen_Dugall then this movie might veer into Episodes 1-3 if it looks like everything is effects. I just meant that Han, Leia and Luke will be in this movie but in that style which will make everyone probably unhappy.
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I really would prefer it not to have Luke, Han, or Leia in it. (and I love these characters) New characters for a new time.
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@Someguy absolutely plus once Lucas is dead we'll get the reboot and have new actors in the roles anyway
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I think this is filler news; without substance
I could go on to disprove the article's efforts to pretend like it's presenting viable information, but we've got a couple of years of this ahead of us so I'm taking it easy.
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@CaptainZADL yeah but it's "facts" taken out of context
if studio brass said "I'd really like to see the original cast have a part in the new film, but that would be a money losing train wreck." the article is reporting the truth and everything in it can be looked at that way.
they have a guy who wrote a script treatment for them, before they finalized the deal and found out Lucas already had a script treatment
Frankly I'm more enthused for the potential Younglings series than 7,8,9
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@Gallen_Dugall @UncleShmalbert Don't underestimate my ability of cynicism and contempt. I can do hatred now and later when I get facts.
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@UncleShmalbert you have the next 20 years - so you might want to pace yourselves
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I so want the new movies to work. But, Hollywood being Hollywood, I'm taking a mountain sized grain of salt with this.
@skrag2112 You'd better watch your Blood pressure with all that Salt. or you might not even be here to enjoy/criticize the next trilogy.
@skrag2112 I think this is what is going to make this a great movie. Already people are skeptical and will give this thing a low expectations so that when we leave the theatre people will say this movie was awesome and critics will say it exceeded expectations.
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Have to disagree with you there Rob. At this point, the inclusion of the original characters is the only thing that would get me excited for new Star Wars. As long as they're used well and act as a springboard for a new direction I'm up for it. And let's face it, without Lucas' direct involvement there's a good chance it will be well handled.
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Well, I'd be fine with seeing Luke as an older bearded mentor. Much like how Obi-Wan went from Ewan McGregor to Alec Guinness.
Only difference is that in this case they don't need to cast a younger actor to play a younger version of a character. It's sorta like how Ian McDiarmid was old enough to play Palpatine without makeup by the time the prequels came around.
(Another difference is that unlike Guinness, Hamill would probably want to do the role, but still.)
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@GeneralTekno Hamill making a cameo, most likely in ghost form, as an old bearded Obi-Wan type Luke would be the perfect way to link the trilogies. There are some characters that should come back (well, not SHOULD but could, if they have to) and some that should NOT. Han Solo should not come back. The Skywalkers were the main link between the prequels and the originals, so having that name come back in some way makes sense and is fine with me.
A cameo, though. That's it.
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....and so it begins....
BTW Rob, I emailed your overlords today and begged for your job. Put in a good word for me?
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@Lithroe I'm not expecting anything at all, but it would be awesome to do if it worked out.
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@CaptainZADL @Lithroe I could do a reference for you, or pretend I don't know you, whichever helps you more.
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@CaptainZADL @Someguy @Lithroe If ever you need Smashy's help, Smashy's help will be provided. Best of luck babe!
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@Lithroe @Someguy @CaptainZADL Actually there's an app for that although you do have to have a USB bone drill peripheral, but who doesn't now-a-days
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@Someguy @Lithroe I did send them samples from my old blog from ages ago, which I did NOT have the time to do properly. In this case I'd be quitting my full time job to do this full time, Just like Mr Bricken. I can only hope to fill his chair / pajama pants / shoes.
I might need Abraxas' help with the cramming though. And I promise to blog naked. Or half naked. Not sure which half. I'm kinda hoping for skype with the Overlords, and then it'll be the bottom half for sure.
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@Lithroe @CaptainZADL You know, it's always the ability part that gets me in trouble. But hey, how many people can say they attempted Brain Surgery.
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Now get Whedon to direct (the guy that directed The Avengers movie, not that hack that made the horrible Dollhouse series), and maybe Star Wars fans can put episodes I-III behind them.
@Ford_Thundercougarfa @xenothaulus can you fly an X-Wing? All good rebels should be able to
@Ford_Thundercougarfa Because of TR, I read that as "yes, and I can BANG a wamprat at 100 meters...".
In other news, TR has (yet again) completely ruined me.
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@BrandoLars @xenothaulus yes, and I can bag a wamprat at 100 meters from a moving landspeeder
@Ford_Thundercougarfa @xenothaulus As long as he is not writing the script. He is the guy who thought making Alien 4 into a parody was a good idea, after all.
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@jonap @xenothaulus he also ripped off the final battle from Transformers: DOTM and called it The Avengers. Watch both final battles and tell me they aren't the same!!
