A month ago, Disney announced its plans to produce a “Star Wars” sequel trilogy beginning in 2015, and the world gasped.
The Walt Disney Company will make the film after buying Lucasfilm, including the rights to the “Star Wars” franchise, for an estimated $4.05 billion in cash and shares.
In many ways, this announcement inspired hope in a fan base that has heard George Lucas proclaim for years that no sequel “Star Wars” films would be made. However, many fans are also extremely cautious with the idea of episodes seven, eight and nine coming to fruition, as they may not live up to the legacy that Lucas’s films have created.
It is no great secret that many “Star Wars” fans were unhappy with Lucas’s prequel trilogy, not only because of Hayden Christensen’s amateur acting, or the nightmare that is Jar Jar Binks, but also because many thought the overall artistry of the films did not meet the level of creativity that the original trilogy had. Although I personally enjoyed all three prequels, the consensus I hear from the “Star Wars” die-hards time and time again is that they aren’t as good as the originals.
It is my hope that the sequel trilogy will escape that judgment. Disney has an incredible track record with fantasy and sci-fi films for the most part (we’re going to temporarily leave “John Carter” out of the equation). Disney also has the kind of financial capabilities to utilize cutting edge special effects technology, in addition to recruiting practically any movie star they desire for the series. So why are fans so nervous?
This will be the first “Star Wars” film not directed by George Lucas, although he will be a creative consultant. Although that may evoke anxiety in some hardcore fans, hopefully Michael Ardnt (“Toy Story 3” and “Little Miss Sunshine”) writing the screenplay will calm any naysayers.
The plot seems to be the most blaring issue. In the original trilogy, the Jedi were all but extinct and Luke Skywalker’s group struggles to overthrow the evil galactic empire and Darth Vader. In the trio of prequel films, we watch Anakin Skywalker’s rise and fall as a Jedi and the extermination of the Jedi knights, ultimately leading to the events of Episode Four.
Since the primary conflict of the series was resolved in Episode Six, the question at hand is what events will be followed in Episode Seven. A popular theory is that the episode will follow the rebuilding of the Jedi knights’ order, or perhaps take place so far in the future that the Jedi are strong once more.
Producers and actors of the series have claimed through the decades that the only characters guaranteed to be in every film are R2-D2 and C-3PO, the two robots. If that still holds true, then what will happen to Luke Skywalker and his gang? Or, if that rumor proves to be false, who will portray the legendary hero in his later years? It all depends on where Episode Seven falls on the timeline, but I think we can all expect to hear a lot of buzz on casting from now until 2015.
I am hopeful for the sequels. Disney’s move to continue the series is gutsy, and the movies will be analyzed under tough scrutiny from those who hold “Star Wars” as a main component of their childhoods. However, so long as Lucas can guide the films to continue the cinematic magic he began, I think audiences will be pleased with what Disney has in store.
