So, there’s going to be a new Star Wars Trilogy. The 3rd
trilogy, making a trilogy of trilogy’s you might say. And it’s going to be made
by Disney. This is pretty huge news and understandably causing some mixed
reactions amongst Star Wars fans.
I’m thinking this is probably a good thing. There, I said
it. But wait! I have reasons!
The first reason! I actually quite liked the prequels. Yes,
they were caught up in quite a political storyline, but like many stories, they’re
a product of their time and we’re in an age where everything is politicised to
some degree. It might not be the most entertaining thing to watch in a movie of
course, but we are now several years on and new movies will have new writers
and reflect their take on our times.
Which neatly brings me onto new writers. No Lucas! Imagine!
Given how everyone complained he’d ruined Star Wars with the prequels, surely
this is a good thing? Though I don’t think he ruined anything, I do think new
movies will benefit from new writers and directors. Joss Whedon’s name has
already been thrown into the mix and I do think he’d have a pretty interesting
take on Star Wars. But there’s a huge number of skilled writers out there in
Hollywood who could bring some fresh new thinking to Star Wars.
If you’re a fan of The Clone Wars series, then you’ll see
how well Star Wars is still working. Different writers, new story ideas and a
wide array of characters, it’s a pretty good series.
It’s Disney! Disney are pretty hot on making kids films. Ok,
not always successfully, but sometimes successfully, And Star Wars films are
films for kids. The sense of awe and wonder of alien worlds, old Jedi Knights
and the youngster who finds his way into a whole new world of the Force and an
important role in a galaxy-wide battle for freedom. That’s perfect for Disney.
Ok, I’m saying a lot about new writers and new stories, a
new take on Star Wars. However, you also need to maintain a certain respect for
the original source. I think Disney can do that. The recent Muppets film I
think stands as a brilliant example of making a new relevant film that
maintains a good respect for the original series. Actually, the Muppets is
pretty much an hour and a half love letter to The Muppet Show. I think we’re at
a point now where the writers and directors around now are the ones who grew up
with Star Wars and will come in respectful of the original trilogy.
Actually, you know what’s also good about Disney buying Star
Wars? Crossovers! Next time there’s a Toy Story movie, we should see Harrison
Ford voicing a Han Solo figure! I’m actually really excited about this idea!
Most of all, Star Wars is a pretty defining set of movies
for a child to see. Regardless of the opinions of guys in their 30’s and 40’s
who will staunchly resist anything different to that original trilogy, kids in
the next 10 years are going to love this new set of Disney made Star Wars
movies. And that’s good, it’s their childhood and they deserve to have those
movies made in their day. 2015 means my little boy will be 3 or 4, just about
old enough to sit through a movie. So this will be his trilogy and I’ll be able
to take him to see brand new Star Wars. Regardless of whether I like them or
not, he probably will and to me that makes this news good.
