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On 20 December 2019, J.J. Abrams's Star Wars: Episode IX (2019) premiere concludes a forty three year, nine movie Skywalker family
'Star Wars' odyssey. In its place, Lucasfilm has announced two separate
'Star Wars' movie series that will explore previously unmined material
in the 'Star Wars' galaxies. One movie trilogy will be led by 'Star
Wars' veterans, Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman, who also brought moviegoers Brick (2005) and Looper (2012). Another 'Star Wars' film series will come from the show runner team that led HBO television's Game of Thrones (2011) the past decade, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.
Which creative team and their new 'Star Wars' movie series are you more excited to see shepherd the future of the 'Star Wars' movie franchise beyond the Skywalker story line: Rian Johnson/Ram Bergman or David Benioff/D.B. Weiss?
See the partial list of 'Star Wars' movie creative team leaders here: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls045076749
Which creative team and their new 'Star Wars' movie series are you more excited to see shepherd the future of the 'Star Wars' movie franchise beyond the Skywalker story line: Rian Johnson/Ram Bergman or David Benioff/D.B. Weiss?
See the partial list of 'Star Wars' movie creative team leaders here: http://www.imdb.com/list/ls045076749
Posted 2 years ago
Maybe it's time for Star Wars to end.
Dan Dassow, Champion
Agreed, lest we eventually have Star Wars XIX, XX and XXI.
I am not surprised that the franchise has taken a step back. I am hopeful that with a fresh set of eyes and some creative freedom, It could be something new and better (ie David Benioff/D.B. Weiss), especially when you hire a team that handle complex and expensive productions. It seems like anytime anyone gets an original idea, they get fired. It is good the current Skywalker story line is ending. I think Disney actually had longer reaching expectations than XX when they paid $4.05 billion, more like Star Wars: LS.
(Edited)
O, please. As if having a fresh set of eyes and some creative freedom was not the case with Episode VIII. You're making me laugh.
Maybe, you should look at the whole picture. A Disney-owned Lucasfilm has released four films and kept only two directors from beginning to end. Meanwhile, they have fired five directors over "creative differences". They are never going to make it any better, push any boundaries or exceed fan expectations, if they fire anyone who thinks outside of the box or has an original thought. Only two out of seven original hire directors have survived the gauntlet. It's not creative freedom when you survive by simply following the game-plan or the vision the studio already had in mind.
Most 'Star Wars' directors have been fired by Lucasfilm*
Josh Trank, Gareth Edwards, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Colin Trevorrow *does not include the even bolder hires they never were willing to considered in the first place
Most 'Star Wars' directors have been fired by Lucasfilm*
Josh Trank, Gareth Edwards, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Colin Trevorrow *does not include the even bolder hires they never were willing to considered in the first place
(Edited)
That article by Jeff Vrabel does not appear to be a reliable source. I'm sure that plenty of it is accurate, but there are some suspicious holes and lack of proofreading. Thanks for the insight nevertheless.
I think the point is indisputable and common knowledge: Josh Trank, Gareth Edwards, Phil Lord, Chris Miller, Colin Trevorrow, all were fired. "A list of directors who’ve come and gone through the Star Wars
universe, all signed because they were reasonably young and hip, most
with blockbusters under their belt, and all canned when their new-era
vibe crashed into Lucasfilm’s (let’s be honest, well-established and
reasonably successful) plans."
It seem contradictory and in my opinion, all these Lucasilm directors were hired for the same reasons they were fired. There seems to be a clear pattern forming and not an isolated incident in how this franchise is being managed. I am not even saying anyone of them was the right person for the job, I am saying that Lucasfilm should have made sure it was a good fit before, not two or three years in. As this seems to happen with every 'Star Wars' movie, it is amazing that in the end they seem to be rated between a 7.0 and 8.0 by fans on IMDb. Granted, it is a tightrope to honor the past franchise and boldly take it where it has never been. I am sure, in some fans eyes they will ever be happy, no matter which course they steer for the future 'Star Wars' films.
It seem contradictory and in my opinion, all these Lucasilm directors were hired for the same reasons they were fired. There seems to be a clear pattern forming and not an isolated incident in how this franchise is being managed. I am not even saying anyone of them was the right person for the job, I am saying that Lucasfilm should have made sure it was a good fit before, not two or three years in. As this seems to happen with every 'Star Wars' movie, it is amazing that in the end they seem to be rated between a 7.0 and 8.0 by fans on IMDb. Granted, it is a tightrope to honor the past franchise and boldly take it where it has never been. I am sure, in some fans eyes they will ever be happy, no matter which course they steer for the future 'Star Wars' films.
(Edited)
On account of my dissatisfaction with the sequel trilogy, I would not be inclined to retain Rian Johnson and Ram Bergman, who were reported to have been extended complete creative freedom; but in adopting new alternatives, I cannot see the merit in extending complete creative freedom to such alternatives. I found Rogue One to be satisfactory, and I have not yet seen Solo. I figure, Rogue One could not go terribly wrong since it did not really give itself he opportunity to ruin existing characters; unlike the sequel trilogy. On the other hand, it did not need to be made and its storyline has led to an incorrect popular belief that the original Star Wars had a plot hole in regards the reason for the vulnerability in the Death Star. I may turn out to like Solo despite it being a box office flop, but I doubt it, given what I've been informed about its content. I really do not see the point of making all these additional Star Wars movies (in quick succession at that) beyond the old hexalogy. The whole thing seems more like appeasement of excited filmmakers than appeasement of viewers.
I likewise found the sequel trilogy disappointing. It was an above average movie series, I did find it enjoyable, but had the potential to be so much more. I found in particular the story to be safe and uninspired. I would have thought with money being no object they could hired the best screenwriters in the industry and had a bolder take with more plot twists and surprises. I likewise, like Rogue One to be the best of four recent movies. Perhaps aided by the fact it somewhat was given a clean slate with characters not so firmly entrenched in fan minds.
In fact, as each new Star Wars comes out, I like each succeeding one less. I am hopeful for the franchise for two reasons 1. the opportunity a new trilogy has especially if it is set in a different part of the galaxy with little or no ties to the prior movies. 2. How David Benioff/D.B. Weiss handled the A Song of Ice and Fire screenwriting adaptation (a series intended to be unadaptable) and management of a highly technical production of huge size and cope. They were masterful in their world creating series with aplomb rarely seen. Bottom Line: I think it is the right situation and the right team. The "wild card" for me Disney/Lucasfilm themselves as they seem to be at the heart of the franchise's failures.
In fact, as each new Star Wars comes out, I like each succeeding one less. I am hopeful for the franchise for two reasons 1. the opportunity a new trilogy has especially if it is set in a different part of the galaxy with little or no ties to the prior movies. 2. How David Benioff/D.B. Weiss handled the A Song of Ice and Fire screenwriting adaptation (a series intended to be unadaptable) and management of a highly technical production of huge size and cope. They were masterful in their world creating series with aplomb rarely seen. Bottom Line: I think it is the right situation and the right team. The "wild card" for me Disney/Lucasfilm themselves as they seem to be at the heart of the franchise's failures.
You knew it was going to happen, once Disney bought Lucasfilm. They went
from six films in thirty years under George Lucus to a two a year pace
in 2018 under Disney. I think they lost the mystique also; but more so
for applying a formula approach to cranking out new franchise movies.
Rather than taking some chances and getting creative with some new story
lines, they have chosen to steer the safest and most predictable course for
the franchise.
I think their goal was to alternate between the A Star Wars Story anthologies (featuring the original characters) and future Star Wars Universe movies (featuring the new character trilogies). I think they thought the market would support a movie every year or even two a year. Solo: A Star Wars Story was a bit of a reality check, but I still think that is their goal, but they are proceeding more cautiously now.
I think the plan is to milk the franchise dry and get a return on the $4 billion they spent to acquire the Star Wars franchise. Don't be surprised if you see a Star Wars streaming series for every night of the week in the near future with the launch of their own company streaming service, Disney+. The CW network already has used that one-tick pony model with superhero shows with some degree of success.
I think their goal was to alternate between the A Star Wars Story anthologies (featuring the original characters) and future Star Wars Universe movies (featuring the new character trilogies). I think they thought the market would support a movie every year or even two a year. Solo: A Star Wars Story was a bit of a reality check, but I still think that is their goal, but they are proceeding more cautiously now.
I think the plan is to milk the franchise dry and get a return on the $4 billion they spent to acquire the Star Wars franchise. Don't be surprised if you see a Star Wars streaming series for every night of the week in the near future with the launch of their own company streaming service, Disney+. The CW network already has used that one-tick pony model with superhero shows with some degree of success.
(Edited)
Star Wars is neither the only media franchise nor the only product by Lucasfilm, so it is odd for Walt Disney Studios to be in hurry to make ten fold what it cost them to buy the company. Industrial Light & Magic is among of the strongest assets in the mix.
They are company and like any other, accountable to their shareholders. It purely speculative on my part, but they are uniquely positioned between movie production, television production, theme parks, franchising and merchandising to squeeze every dollar out of the Star Wars brand and recover their $4 billion investment. All the other assets they acquired in the deal are gravy and certainly worthy in their right. You are right long term, they may turn out to be even more valuable than the supposed "crown jewel" of the deal. Regardless, for such a large transaction which could south in so many ways, it might turn out to be a bargain.
(Edited)
Undoubtedly Lucasfilm is just one piece in Disney's grand plans, which seem to involve attempts to monopolize the entertainment industry.
The spin is just trying to keep up with the Jones or stay afloat, as we move from the old world entertainment to new world entertainment model. Disney, Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars: CEO Bob Iger says Disney's + streaming service will be able to compete with Netflix. One wonders, what brand/franchise will be the next big purchase: Wizarding World / Harry Potter, Middle-earth / Lord of the Rings, Star Trek, Looney Tunes, Dr. Seuss or another media franchise?
(Edited)
Avatar, Alien, Predator, RoboCop, Terminator :P
