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lazypadawanThe news about Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm was shocking enough. The fact that Disney bought Lucasfilm in combination with the news of more Star Wars movies were enough to blow both Hurricane Sandy and the election off of social media.
Honestly, it's been a long time since I've been this shocked--maybe not since 9/11/01--because it seemingly came out of nowhere. Things at Lucasfilm have been shaking up the past couple of years with retirements, layoffs, Kathleen Kennedy taking over the company, and other stuff going on. But outside of the Lucasfilm inner circle nobody saw this coming. I honestly believed we would never see any more Star Wars movies so long as there were copyrights on the films!
But in piecing things together, it indicates that Lucasfilm being sold and new movies being made have been in the works for a while now. Why convert the existing movies to 3D and re-release them? To test out new technology and jazz up the masses for new films. The Disney conference call yesterday confirmed that Episodes VII-IX will be in 3D. So the remaining prequels will be out in 2013, Eps IV-VI will be out in 2014 I'll bet, and Episode VII drops in 2015. Pablo Hidalgo posted on the Official Star Wars blog yesterday that he'd known since June new movies were going to happen. The fact that anyone had plans on making new films and kept it secret this long is astonishing to me though it does explain the persistent rumors of new films and Joe Johnston casually dropping that he'd love to make a Boba Fett movie. Or why even two years ago, Mark Hamill was optimistic there would be further Star Wars adventures.
Regarding the Disney sale itself, I have believed for a long time that eventually Lucasfilm would be sold to a bigger company or studio. It's virtually impossible for a small entertainment company to survive on its own and Lucas can't expect his own children to run the company for him. I have also believed for a long time that of all of the entertainment/Hollywood outfits around, Disney would probably be the best home for Star Wars over the long term. However, I would never have expected a sale while Lucas was still alive. It indicates Lucas wants to make sure things are in good hands while he's still around and they are on his own terms.
Make no mistake. This changes everything. I don't say this as hyperbole. It's true. The Star Wars I've known since 1977, that you might have known since the '80s or '90s or '00s, depending on when you got into Star Wars, will never be the same again. I'm going to break it all down for you as to what I think the Disney acquisition means for new films, television, toys and licensing, books, comics, and fan culture. Of course I will also add my concerns, fears, and paranoia. I will also have a separate post on SW Prequel Appreciation Society on what it all means for the first half of the Skywalker Saga.
Movies. I think what scares us all to death about the proposition of another trilogy is that we have absolutely no idea what it's about. With the prequels, we always knew we were getting the back story of Darth Vader and Obi-Wan as well as the collapse of the Republic. With this, I haven't a bloody clue. Everything seemed to end neatly with ROTJ, so what's there more to talk about? But according to Steve Sansweet's Star Wars blog post from yesterday, Lucasfilm was aware the brand needs a lot more material in order to survive and Lucas is determined, as I am, to make sure Star Wars outlives him. Further, according to Sansweet, sometime after ROTS and while working on Clone Wars, that Star Wars part of Lucas's brain went into gear again. It reminds me of when I saw Matthew Stover at a book signing for his ROTS novel. He mentioned he'd discussed with his wife whether or not this was the end of Star Wars. His wife said that Lucas had devoted so much to Star Wars, there had to be a "Star Wars" node in his brain and that it could not remain dormant forever. It turns out Mrs. Stover was right. However, Lucas knew he would have to choose between committing another several years of his life to making another trilogy and committing instead to the small experimental movies he'd put on the back burner for well over 40 years. He chose the latter. He chose to let his baby go, or at least entrust its care to others. It could not have been easy but I think he knew in order for Star Wars to live on, eventually it would have to be in someone else's hands. I think his experience on Clone Wars taught him he can trust other people with his universe.
What also scares many of us to death is that Lucas is not going to as involved, staying on to Lucasfilm and the Star Wars projects as creative consultant. I tend to believe that part of what makes Star Wars special and unique is that they are so much an extension of a man's vision and personality, just as Woody Allen's movies reflect Woody Allen. Hateboys who have dreamed for years of a Lucas-less Star Wars are rejoicing but I have two caveats for them. One, I don't buy for one minute that Lucas will be all of that hands-off. I think that at least for Episode VII if not the remainder of the trilogy, Lucas will be a part of the action just as he was on the sets of TESB and ROTJ. It's just not his way to let people go nuts and do what they want. Two, they should never assume that with Lucas out of the picture, and one day he will be, they're going to like the results.
Already the internet is rife with demands these new films be everything they wanted out of the prequels but didn't get or demands that these new films be based on the post-ROTJ novels. Let me tell you right now that these same people who hated the Special Editions and were oh so disappointed in 1999 are probably going to hate this new movie as well. The worst thing about the professional geeks and the "Star Wars fans" is that they pin all of their hopes, dreams, and expectations on something they have no control over and freak out if it doesn't pan out the way they want. Realistically speaking, this new trilogy will be different in tone from both Eps VI-VI and Eps I-III. This is Lucas's canon, not that of the EU, although it is possible Lucas's story draws some from the books. Given the ages of Ford, Fisher, and Hamill, there's no way in hell they can do "Heir To The Empire: The Movie." I don't even think they can even be the central figures of this trilogy. God knows who it will focus on and whether any of the big three will be part of it. Maybe it's about Luke and Ahsoka running the new Jedi Order and deciding it's time to retire to Florida. Given that all of the prequel main players are still fairly young and pretty much look the same, maybe there's an opportunity for a cameo as a hologram or a Force ghost. I look forward to a new cast of barely-knowns and unknowns balanced out with some veterans.
What concerns me is that three years from now until release is by Star Wars standards a rush job unless there's a lot more groundwork than we know about. So I think we should hear VERY soon about who's directing and who's starring in it. Fanboys need to forget about anyone they've heard of because everyone from J.J. "Lens Flares" Abrams to Christopher Nolan to Darren Aronofsky to to Peter Jackson to Joss Whedon is busy with projects over the next couple of years. (Besides, Whedon should be automatically disqualified for saying they should just make the NJO into movies. Uh, NO.) They don't have time. Personally, I wouldn't have minded James Cameron because even though he's a total douche, I think he is Lucas's peer when it comes to visuals. But he's busy too. I don't know who they'll pick but I hope that this new director is someone who admires and respects Lucas's vision. The problem with an established blockbuster director is that he will want to push his style onto Star Wars and that wouldn't work. I don't want a guy who thinks he can do Star Wars better than Lucas or who's a fanboy brownnoser. The last thing I want is a guy or gal who says right off the bat, "I'm here to fix the mistakes of the prequels!" What is needed is a cinematic Dave Filoni: somebody who has Star Wars in his veins and is willing to learn.
What worries me most of all though is that Disney wants new Star Wars films constantly after this trilogy. Maybe some of those movies will be for television or straight to Netflix/Apple movies. Maybe some will be animated films, not live action. But not only is Star Wars the personal expression of one man, the secret of Star Wars is that it speaks from the heart to the heart. There's art in the visuals. It's more than diverting but superficial blockbuster entertainment. I worry that with too much there will be dilution and saturation, then Star Wars just won't be special anymore. Prequel haters also have no idea what a genuinely terrible Star Wars movie would be like. It would make me happier if they have kind of a Star Wars film school set up where people learn the aesthetic, the mythology, and what makes it all work.
As for existing films, I hope Disney will treat them ALL with respect and respect Lucas's wishes. I don't want remakes or reboots. At least have the decency to wait another century or something before doing that. Some fanboys think this is their chance to get rid of the Special Editions and release the pre-SE versions of Eps IV-VI. I hope not. It had better be in that contract that Lucas's canon and his vision remain intact. Do I worry about the prequels or even the first set of films being buried with all of this product? Yeah, I do. But we'll have to see what happens.
Most of us will mourn the end of 20th Century Fox's fanfare at the beginning of the film. We wonder if John Williams will be back to score this trilogy; he's 80 years old and one day, we'll have to have Star Wars films without him.
Television. It's funny that Filoni slipped a couple of days ago in a video and referred to Pixar as a "sister" studio and mentioned on Facebook about some "key decisions" on the show. The immediate effect of Disney's takeover is that this could very well be the last year Clone Wars is on Cartoon Network. Next year it could be on Disney's cable network, ABC Family, or Disney XD. I also wonder if now Pixar and Lucasfilm Animation will merge their magical powers or remain separate. But the show could continue for a while yet. This could also mean that the long-delayed live action show will finally have the money to get off the ground and find a home on one of Disney's networks, though it may not be as dark and gritty now as originally conceived. We shall see. I also think that very soon the existing Star Wars films will switch from Spike to ABC Family or the Disney Channel. Star Wars Detours will also find a home on one of Disney's channels. And I'm sure more animated and live action t.v. will be on the way.
Licensing. Disney is the king of licensing and I'm sure when it comes to goodies there will be no short supply of it. Will Howard Roffman stay on? Who knows? Will Hasbro continue to make Star Wars toys and games? I don't see why not. Many of the same licensees also make stuff for Pixar, Marvel, and classic Disney, so I don't see much changing on that front. While I figure the bulk of what we'll see 2015-2021 will focus on this new trilogy, I hope they don't forget all about the previous films or Clone Wars.
Books. Hoo boy. This is where it gets sticky. I have no doubt that whatever Episode VII is about, it will back up over 21 years' worth of post-ROTJ novelizations (fine by me). If anyone is going to get ragey, it's going to be the tribe of fans who have had a lot invested in those books. Given that Disney owns a publishing company, I figure that Del Rey is probably going to lose the license once it expires. We'll see a total reboot of the post-ROTJ continuity because it will no longer make sense with the new canon. Get into your foxholes now!
Comics. This may have the effect of bringing Star Wars comics back to Marvel after 26 years, since Disney owns Marvel. Frankly, I am not too crazy about this idea. Dark Horse has been a better home for Star Wars and for much longer than Marvel ever had the license originally. I'd prefer for it to stay at Dark Horse. Besides, I can't stand Joe Quesada.
Fan Culture. Disney ranks only behind the Hells Angels and the Church of Scientology in its brutal enforcement of copyright and trademark. Star Wars fandom has had to rely on the "voluntary" services of cosplaying groups, fan crafts, fan art, and fan fiction to help keep the party going. For the most part, Lucasfilm has been laissez-faire about that stuff. The question is will Disney bring the full might of its Empire against fan works, fan groups, fan sites, etc.? I don't know. I sure hope not. It would not to be to their advantage either with established fans or with public relations to start issuing C&Ds to TheForce.net, geeky hipsteresses selling their crocheted pieces on Etsy, or 16-year-old fan writers on Fan Fiction.net. My advice to the Mouse is, "Leave us alone."
On the positive side, I really hope this means we'll see Star Wars Weekends at Disneyland! That would rock! I'm certain all future Celebrations will alternate between Orlando and Anaheim now.
Gaming. LucasArts is now part of Disney as well. I assume this means we'll still see games based on Star Wars. I'm not a gamer so I don't have much of an opinion on this issue.
In conclusion, I think having Disney as a parent company can offer a lot of advantages. The Muppets, Marvel, and Pixar have all done pretty well under the Disney umbrella. I look forward to more synergy among the properties so long as it doesn't get crazy. I'm not so sure if I want to see the Hulk Vs. Darth Vader Vs. Jack Sparrow as a movie or something. So far Disney has done right by Star Wars as a licensing partner: Jedi Training shows for the kids, Star Wars Weekends, and Star Tours just to name a few successes. Star Tours 2.0 is fantastic! Go if you haven't already! I also look forward to finding beaucoup Star Wars goodies at my local Disney store.
The potential downside is overexploiting Star Wars or taking it way off its moorings, and the simple fact that at some point, Disney will be run by an idiot who will run things into the ground. My brother briefly worked in Disney's retail division back in the late '90s when it was in trouble and it wasn't pretty. But for now, we'll just have to hope for the best. Star Wars Is Forever!
Honestly, it's been a long time since I've been this shocked--maybe not since 9/11/01--because it seemingly came out of nowhere. Things at Lucasfilm have been shaking up the past couple of years with retirements, layoffs, Kathleen Kennedy taking over the company, and other stuff going on. But outside of the Lucasfilm inner circle nobody saw this coming. I honestly believed we would never see any more Star Wars movies so long as there were copyrights on the films!
But in piecing things together, it indicates that Lucasfilm being sold and new movies being made have been in the works for a while now. Why convert the existing movies to 3D and re-release them? To test out new technology and jazz up the masses for new films. The Disney conference call yesterday confirmed that Episodes VII-IX will be in 3D. So the remaining prequels will be out in 2013, Eps IV-VI will be out in 2014 I'll bet, and Episode VII drops in 2015. Pablo Hidalgo posted on the Official Star Wars blog yesterday that he'd known since June new movies were going to happen. The fact that anyone had plans on making new films and kept it secret this long is astonishing to me though it does explain the persistent rumors of new films and Joe Johnston casually dropping that he'd love to make a Boba Fett movie. Or why even two years ago, Mark Hamill was optimistic there would be further Star Wars adventures.
Regarding the Disney sale itself, I have believed for a long time that eventually Lucasfilm would be sold to a bigger company or studio. It's virtually impossible for a small entertainment company to survive on its own and Lucas can't expect his own children to run the company for him. I have also believed for a long time that of all of the entertainment/Hollywood outfits around, Disney would probably be the best home for Star Wars over the long term. However, I would never have expected a sale while Lucas was still alive. It indicates Lucas wants to make sure things are in good hands while he's still around and they are on his own terms.
Make no mistake. This changes everything. I don't say this as hyperbole. It's true. The Star Wars I've known since 1977, that you might have known since the '80s or '90s or '00s, depending on when you got into Star Wars, will never be the same again. I'm going to break it all down for you as to what I think the Disney acquisition means for new films, television, toys and licensing, books, comics, and fan culture. Of course I will also add my concerns, fears, and paranoia. I will also have a separate post on SW Prequel Appreciation Society on what it all means for the first half of the Skywalker Saga.
Movies. I think what scares us all to death about the proposition of another trilogy is that we have absolutely no idea what it's about. With the prequels, we always knew we were getting the back story of Darth Vader and Obi-Wan as well as the collapse of the Republic. With this, I haven't a bloody clue. Everything seemed to end neatly with ROTJ, so what's there more to talk about? But according to Steve Sansweet's Star Wars blog post from yesterday, Lucasfilm was aware the brand needs a lot more material in order to survive and Lucas is determined, as I am, to make sure Star Wars outlives him. Further, according to Sansweet, sometime after ROTS and while working on Clone Wars, that Star Wars part of Lucas's brain went into gear again. It reminds me of when I saw Matthew Stover at a book signing for his ROTS novel. He mentioned he'd discussed with his wife whether or not this was the end of Star Wars. His wife said that Lucas had devoted so much to Star Wars, there had to be a "Star Wars" node in his brain and that it could not remain dormant forever. It turns out Mrs. Stover was right. However, Lucas knew he would have to choose between committing another several years of his life to making another trilogy and committing instead to the small experimental movies he'd put on the back burner for well over 40 years. He chose the latter. He chose to let his baby go, or at least entrust its care to others. It could not have been easy but I think he knew in order for Star Wars to live on, eventually it would have to be in someone else's hands. I think his experience on Clone Wars taught him he can trust other people with his universe.
What also scares many of us to death is that Lucas is not going to as involved, staying on to Lucasfilm and the Star Wars projects as creative consultant. I tend to believe that part of what makes Star Wars special and unique is that they are so much an extension of a man's vision and personality, just as Woody Allen's movies reflect Woody Allen. Hateboys who have dreamed for years of a Lucas-less Star Wars are rejoicing but I have two caveats for them. One, I don't buy for one minute that Lucas will be all of that hands-off. I think that at least for Episode VII if not the remainder of the trilogy, Lucas will be a part of the action just as he was on the sets of TESB and ROTJ. It's just not his way to let people go nuts and do what they want. Two, they should never assume that with Lucas out of the picture, and one day he will be, they're going to like the results.
Already the internet is rife with demands these new films be everything they wanted out of the prequels but didn't get or demands that these new films be based on the post-ROTJ novels. Let me tell you right now that these same people who hated the Special Editions and were oh so disappointed in 1999 are probably going to hate this new movie as well. The worst thing about the professional geeks and the "Star Wars fans" is that they pin all of their hopes, dreams, and expectations on something they have no control over and freak out if it doesn't pan out the way they want. Realistically speaking, this new trilogy will be different in tone from both Eps VI-VI and Eps I-III. This is Lucas's canon, not that of the EU, although it is possible Lucas's story draws some from the books. Given the ages of Ford, Fisher, and Hamill, there's no way in hell they can do "Heir To The Empire: The Movie." I don't even think they can even be the central figures of this trilogy. God knows who it will focus on and whether any of the big three will be part of it. Maybe it's about Luke and Ahsoka running the new Jedi Order and deciding it's time to retire to Florida. Given that all of the prequel main players are still fairly young and pretty much look the same, maybe there's an opportunity for a cameo as a hologram or a Force ghost. I look forward to a new cast of barely-knowns and unknowns balanced out with some veterans.
What concerns me is that three years from now until release is by Star Wars standards a rush job unless there's a lot more groundwork than we know about. So I think we should hear VERY soon about who's directing and who's starring in it. Fanboys need to forget about anyone they've heard of because everyone from J.J. "Lens Flares" Abrams to Christopher Nolan to Darren Aronofsky to to Peter Jackson to Joss Whedon is busy with projects over the next couple of years. (Besides, Whedon should be automatically disqualified for saying they should just make the NJO into movies. Uh, NO.) They don't have time. Personally, I wouldn't have minded James Cameron because even though he's a total douche, I think he is Lucas's peer when it comes to visuals. But he's busy too. I don't know who they'll pick but I hope that this new director is someone who admires and respects Lucas's vision. The problem with an established blockbuster director is that he will want to push his style onto Star Wars and that wouldn't work. I don't want a guy who thinks he can do Star Wars better than Lucas or who's a fanboy brownnoser. The last thing I want is a guy or gal who says right off the bat, "I'm here to fix the mistakes of the prequels!" What is needed is a cinematic Dave Filoni: somebody who has Star Wars in his veins and is willing to learn.
What worries me most of all though is that Disney wants new Star Wars films constantly after this trilogy. Maybe some of those movies will be for television or straight to Netflix/Apple movies. Maybe some will be animated films, not live action. But not only is Star Wars the personal expression of one man, the secret of Star Wars is that it speaks from the heart to the heart. There's art in the visuals. It's more than diverting but superficial blockbuster entertainment. I worry that with too much there will be dilution and saturation, then Star Wars just won't be special anymore. Prequel haters also have no idea what a genuinely terrible Star Wars movie would be like. It would make me happier if they have kind of a Star Wars film school set up where people learn the aesthetic, the mythology, and what makes it all work.
As for existing films, I hope Disney will treat them ALL with respect and respect Lucas's wishes. I don't want remakes or reboots. At least have the decency to wait another century or something before doing that. Some fanboys think this is their chance to get rid of the Special Editions and release the pre-SE versions of Eps IV-VI. I hope not. It had better be in that contract that Lucas's canon and his vision remain intact. Do I worry about the prequels or even the first set of films being buried with all of this product? Yeah, I do. But we'll have to see what happens.
Most of us will mourn the end of 20th Century Fox's fanfare at the beginning of the film. We wonder if John Williams will be back to score this trilogy; he's 80 years old and one day, we'll have to have Star Wars films without him.
Television. It's funny that Filoni slipped a couple of days ago in a video and referred to Pixar as a "sister" studio and mentioned on Facebook about some "key decisions" on the show. The immediate effect of Disney's takeover is that this could very well be the last year Clone Wars is on Cartoon Network. Next year it could be on Disney's cable network, ABC Family, or Disney XD. I also wonder if now Pixar and Lucasfilm Animation will merge their magical powers or remain separate. But the show could continue for a while yet. This could also mean that the long-delayed live action show will finally have the money to get off the ground and find a home on one of Disney's networks, though it may not be as dark and gritty now as originally conceived. We shall see. I also think that very soon the existing Star Wars films will switch from Spike to ABC Family or the Disney Channel. Star Wars Detours will also find a home on one of Disney's channels. And I'm sure more animated and live action t.v. will be on the way.
Licensing. Disney is the king of licensing and I'm sure when it comes to goodies there will be no short supply of it. Will Howard Roffman stay on? Who knows? Will Hasbro continue to make Star Wars toys and games? I don't see why not. Many of the same licensees also make stuff for Pixar, Marvel, and classic Disney, so I don't see much changing on that front. While I figure the bulk of what we'll see 2015-2021 will focus on this new trilogy, I hope they don't forget all about the previous films or Clone Wars.
Books. Hoo boy. This is where it gets sticky. I have no doubt that whatever Episode VII is about, it will back up over 21 years' worth of post-ROTJ novelizations (fine by me). If anyone is going to get ragey, it's going to be the tribe of fans who have had a lot invested in those books. Given that Disney owns a publishing company, I figure that Del Rey is probably going to lose the license once it expires. We'll see a total reboot of the post-ROTJ continuity because it will no longer make sense with the new canon. Get into your foxholes now!
Comics. This may have the effect of bringing Star Wars comics back to Marvel after 26 years, since Disney owns Marvel. Frankly, I am not too crazy about this idea. Dark Horse has been a better home for Star Wars and for much longer than Marvel ever had the license originally. I'd prefer for it to stay at Dark Horse. Besides, I can't stand Joe Quesada.
Fan Culture. Disney ranks only behind the Hells Angels and the Church of Scientology in its brutal enforcement of copyright and trademark. Star Wars fandom has had to rely on the "voluntary" services of cosplaying groups, fan crafts, fan art, and fan fiction to help keep the party going. For the most part, Lucasfilm has been laissez-faire about that stuff. The question is will Disney bring the full might of its Empire against fan works, fan groups, fan sites, etc.? I don't know. I sure hope not. It would not to be to their advantage either with established fans or with public relations to start issuing C&Ds to TheForce.net, geeky hipsteresses selling their crocheted pieces on Etsy, or 16-year-old fan writers on Fan Fiction.net. My advice to the Mouse is, "Leave us alone."
On the positive side, I really hope this means we'll see Star Wars Weekends at Disneyland! That would rock! I'm certain all future Celebrations will alternate between Orlando and Anaheim now.
Gaming. LucasArts is now part of Disney as well. I assume this means we'll still see games based on Star Wars. I'm not a gamer so I don't have much of an opinion on this issue.
In conclusion, I think having Disney as a parent company can offer a lot of advantages. The Muppets, Marvel, and Pixar have all done pretty well under the Disney umbrella. I look forward to more synergy among the properties so long as it doesn't get crazy. I'm not so sure if I want to see the Hulk Vs. Darth Vader Vs. Jack Sparrow as a movie or something. So far Disney has done right by Star Wars as a licensing partner: Jedi Training shows for the kids, Star Wars Weekends, and Star Tours just to name a few successes. Star Tours 2.0 is fantastic! Go if you haven't already! I also look forward to finding beaucoup Star Wars goodies at my local Disney store.
The potential downside is overexploiting Star Wars or taking it way off its moorings, and the simple fact that at some point, Disney will be run by an idiot who will run things into the ground. My brother briefly worked in Disney's retail division back in the late '90s when it was in trouble and it wasn't pretty. But for now, we'll just have to hope for the best. Star Wars Is Forever!
