I think the Internet has been having a constant nerdgasm since Disney announced they were buying Lucasfilm and making a new Star Wars film. I can’t blame it, I’m right there too. I’ve been following the gossip and rumours and speculation with as much anticipation as I had in the run-up to The Phantom Menace.
I know. I never learn.
That said, I’m cautiously optimistic about the news. After all, Disney bought Marvel and the Avengers was my favourite film of the year. I reckon we’re in for a treat as long as Disney do seven things:
1. Bring back the original cast
Let’s face it, when we go to a sequel we want to see the characters we saw last time. We don’t want a new cast. So bring back Luke, Leia and Han. Give us a Luke still struggling with the change from Jedi Knight Errant to Jedi Master. Give us Leia crushed under bureaucracy and fighting to make sure her rebellion doesn’t dissolve into political nonsense. And give us a Han lost and fearing irrelevancy, not sure what to do on the right side of the law. Fertile ground for passing the torch into our new heroes!
2. Don’t rehash the originals
If you’ve not seen Prometheus, look away now because I’m about to spoil it. Seriously.
Prometheus is just a rehash of Alien. You’ve got the eggs/vases, facehuggers/oil snakes, xenomorphs and crazy robots ad nauseum. And while it may have been a financial success, it made for a poor film.
In the same vein, don’t use Luke as an Obi-Wan character only to kill him halfway through the film. Don’t have another superweapon. Don’t have the hero be a Jedi discovering his heritage. No secret family members. No Tatooine; we’ve seen enough of it. It’s a big galaxy with plenty of opportunity so let’s make the most of it.
And no incestuous kisses. Just no.
3. Tell the saga of the Skywalker family
This is how Lucas often described the story of Star Wars in the early days and I think it’s paramount to stick to this vision. The Prequel trilogy followed Anakin. The Original trilogy followed Luke. The Sequel trilogy should follow Luke’s kid. Retaining the Skywalker link will help keep the story cohesive despite the gap between films.
4. Make use of those Force ghosts
Speaking of links, get Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor and Frank Oz back and helping out from beyond the grave. Skywalker Jr. could probably do with their help. Plus there’s a lot of narrative potential in having those three watching their successors rebuild the universe they remember (and helped destroy).
5. Lay off the CGI
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a beautiful, sumptuous visual feast. And so much of it was built in real life. The Prequel trilogy, on the other hand, is already showing its age.
Build some sets for crying out loud.
6. Don’t resurrect the Sith
The Sith have been the villains for six films now and digging up some more will feel a little tired. Timothy Zahn proved you could create a great Star Wars story without Sith villains. His trilogy of books set after Return of the Jedi had Grand Admiral Thrawn as the foe; no Force, no lightsabers, but a brilliant foe nonetheless. Plus we’ve never actually seen what the hell a Jedi does when there isn’t a Sith to whale on.
7. Have more female characters
This one is a bit of a lie because I’d actually like to see Miss Skywalker Jr. but I know that won’t happen. But both trilogies have been replete with males and only one female. Let’s change that. If the lead has to be male (which the marketing department will demand) at least surround him with a variety of female characters (rather than the stock royalty with funny hair in silly clothes). And maybe a female Jedi or two might be nice for a change?
So those are my seven wishes and I think they could produce an excellent film. What do you think? Am I strong with the Force or bantha pudu? What would you like to see from Episode VII? Let me know in the comments.
And may the Force be with you.
