Saturday Discussion: Mickey buys Star Wars

[NoobianRose]

Star Wars fans everywhere got some important news last year . . .

George Lucas sold his (and our) galaxy far far away to Disney.

This will, no doubt, mean important changes to our fandom in the near future. Most noticeably with the addition of Episodes VII, VIII, and IX to the Star Wars saga.

What do you guys think of this development? Are you worried, excited, suspicious, hopeful or do you not give a crap?

Feel free to discuss the issue here. And remember, as always, to respect the opinions of your fellow members.

[danielle]

I'm keeping an open mind on Disney, until I've seen Episode VII, before casting judgement. I prefer Eps I-III to Eps IV-VI, but I love the novels, - up to Survivor's Quest - so there's a concern on whether they will ignore them completely. They say they plan to to do a new generation of heroes, but I imagine they will need to refer to the old at some point. I'm hopeful, but I'm also worried as well.

[Deleted]

Like Danielle, I'm also going to try to come into this with as open of a mind as I can. I'm not going to lie though, I'm a bit nervous that Star Wars and Star Trek are going to be directed by the same guy. The two are so different and I hope that JJ can not draw upon the techniques and creative ideas that he uses in Star Trek when he does Star Wars. Just gotta remember, open mind, open mind, open mind.

[NoobianRose]

You're super right, Danielle. I should keep an open mind. It's just hard. I will be very interested to hear what you think when the film comes out though, since you've read so much of the expanded universe. I wonder if they'll draw from that at all.

New generation of heroes huh? Interesting. I guess at this point it would be kinda hard to bring back the old gang. But I'd think it would be hard not to if they're going to try and work from GL's original outline. Gah! So many questions.

Ugh. Your bring up an excellent point, Amelia. And see *this* is why I can't help but be worried. Disney's first decision about Ep. 7 was hiring JJ? George, for all his faults, really made the prequel trilogy fit beautifully with the OT. Even down to fade wipe transitions, music, and story themes. I may not have agreed with every decision GL made (haha! Says the co-mod of the OBIDALA FAN FORUM) but I worry about what SW will be like in the hands of a new, "visionary" director. A director responsible for "updating" Star Trek . . . *shudders* OMG. What if he wants to make Star Wars "cool" again?!

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[Deleted]

We'll have to see what people JJ chooses to surround himself with as far as his creative teams goes. Hopefully they will keep him grounded and under control.

[aravynkenobi]

While cautious, I am not overly concerned about Jj sitting in the director's chair. Although I was kind of pulling for Jon Favreau to get the gig. But it helps to know that JJ is a big fan of Star Wars. And, quite frankly, the man hasn't let me down yet. Yet. So I'm hoping that streak continues.

I do think there has been a lot of overreaction from the fans as far as the Disney thing goes. Not from anyone here, of course. But people that seem to think Disney will suddenly overload the franchise with tween friendliness, talking animals, and show tunes.

They seem to forget that Disney has acquired two iconic companies and then produced wonderful films. The Muppets and Marvel. I have loved the Muppets for as long as I can remember. And the movie that was just released a couple of years ago was brilliant. As for Marvel....well. The Avengers. And that's all I'll say as far as THAT acquisition goes.

Won't deny that Disney owning Star Wars doesn't concern me at all. But there is a balm in this. Disneyland and Disneyworld have parades every day. EVERY DAY, you guys. And you know who's free to march in those parades now? Darth Vader and his stormtroopers. That's never a bad thing.

Sent from my DROID2 using proboards

[NoobianRose]

You've found the silver lining, Mel. I, personally, am kinda worried about JJ. Seeing what he did with Star Trek makes me leery about him acquiring SW.

But as far as the Disney *Corporation* goes, I'm not concerned about that aspect at all. No one knows advertizing and merchandise like they do. And I don't care about songs of fluffy creatures -- we've already had those. Lol. Also, they've had a long history with Lucasfilm over the years in the parks and beyond and that's always been great. And the point about The Muppets and Marvel is well taken. I actually didn't know that Disney had bought Marvel. So that is really interesting.

I guess where my concern lies is in creative liscence of the intellectual property. Even where people like us are concerned. I worry about a new direction deviating too far from the fandom without GL at the helm. It just seems wrong. And George, for all his faults, has always been really supportive of fans and how nutty we are with whatever we do. Disney, as a behemoth conglomerate, may not be so kind. We must be cautious . . .

[aravynkenobi]

Mmmm. I completely understand the concern as far as the fans and creative license goes. I was wondering about that just this week when I was re-uploading some of my videos to Youtube. It's a valid issue. Say what you will about GL (and I have said plenty on occasion), but he's always been willing to let the fans play in his sandbox without putting up a resistance.

[NoobianRose]

Amen. He's pretty much the only one. I was thinking about that too. I know how Paramount (well Viacom really) handles things that have to do with Star Trek and it's not pretty. They're really tyrranical about the franchise. I'd hate to see that kind of thing happen in the SW fandom.

[kenobifan]

I don't know what to think; however, I am excited to know Ewan agreed to do Obi-Wan. (I'm not sure that's sound right). lol

[danielle]

Perhaps JJ will unveil the secret history of Obidala. Too much to hope for, I know!

[NoobianRose]

LOL! I think that's exactly what you meant, Lynda!

Haha! Probably so, Danielle, but that doesn't stop us from dreaming.