10 pressing 'Star Wars' questions now that J.J. Abrams is directing
Who will direct the next 'Star Trek'? What about those Ben Affleck rumors?
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The news that J.J. Abrams is set to direct "Star Wars: Episode VII," a film fans only dreamed of less than six months ago, came something of a surprise. Abrams had publicly claimed he'd passed on the gig because of deference to "Star Trek" fans and that he'd "rather watch in the audience." Something changed though, and now the man who made "Trek" cool again will get a chance to reinvigorate George Lucas' iconic series. The news spurs only more questions, however. Here are 10 that immediately came to mind.
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January 25, 2013 at 3:11AM EST Reply to CommentIn regards to the music, Giacchino can do the score. I think he's a solid composer, and his work on Star Trek was pretty damn great. However, the original theme, and opening crawl, must be kept intact. Without the crawl and theme, it just wouldn't be Star Wars.
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January 25, 2013 at 2:27PM ESTpotty break
January 25, 2013 at 3:39AM EST Reply to CommentI don't see a problem with Abrams returning to "Star Trek" to finish his "trilogy" after. Sounds like they want a different director for each "Star Wars" so they can crank them out.
Since they are cranking them out and Lucas is in the background, I don't think John Williams will be back. Giacchino already scored "Star Tours" so he'd be my choice even if Abrams wasn't directing.
Also amazing is that J.J.'s buddy of 30 years Matt Reeves is doing "Planet of the Apes" (also probably with a Giacchino score). Sci-fi history is passing before Abrams' eyes.
potty break The only drag is if Abrams had stuck to a schedule, he could've made his third "Star Trek" in time for 2016, the 50th anniversary. Now that won't happen unless somebody takes over. But Abrams should finish it. Damn you, "Star Wars"!
January 25, 2013 at 3:53AM ESTStephen
January 25, 2013 at 4:52AM EST Reply to CommentMajel Barrett-Roddenberry died 4 years ago...
Paul Outlaw SMDH
January 25, 2013 at 9:58PM ESTPlanetJohnny Ridiculous writing.
January 26, 2013 at 6:15PM ESTRobert
January 25, 2013 at 5:52AM EST Reply to CommentBoth franchises are already dead.
Star Wars died when the second death star was destroyed, and Star Trek ended when Janeway managed to get her ship back home. Everything that came after those two final endings, was just fluff to further milk each franchise's cash cow.
I've always felt Abrams' interpretation of Trek does a gross injustice to Roddenberry's vision of the future, and of the human condition. Star Trek is much more than guns-a-blazin and ships-a-fightin, or the number of kisses planted or muscles flexed. Its a show about philosophy first, science fiction second, and everything after that falls into perfect place if you tell a good story. Abrams misses the point of Star Trek, and doesn't give 'the masses' enough credit to think beyond the action scene.
I suspect Abrams will do the same with Star Wars franchise, not that he could do much worse with it after Lucas gutted his recent threesome. Still, I suspect Abrams' take on Episode 7 will be heavy on the action, heavy on the ships and lasers, a few faux love scenes thrown in here or there.. and light on any storytelling or meaningful message, if there's a message at all.
I would have liked to see Trek die at least a graceful death, instead of being thrown to the pirahnnas.
tham I think Janeway getting Voyager back to the Alpha Quadrant without any deaths hurt Star Trek. But, obviously, it was Bakula (and crew) who killed the franchise. JJ has made some fun to watch flicks, but Weekend At Bernies was fun to watch (back then) too. Kind of the same concept. Speaking of which... instead of JJ doing Star Wars, maybe he should just redo Weekend at Bernies.
January 25, 2013 at 6:27AM ESTTim
January 25, 2013 at 6:29AM EST Reply to CommentPut Star Trek back on TV. I miss the days when I could look forward to a new episode each week.
John W
January 25, 2013 at 7:05PM EST Reply to CommentI imagine a bug rumble ala Anchorman between Star Wars and Star Trek fans.
Guy Smiley
January 25, 2013 at 9:34PM EST Reply to Comment"Did Majel Barrett-Roddenberry give her blessing?"
From beyond the grave??
Christ, Ellwood... Here's a dime. Buy a clue.
mridge1
January 25, 2013 at 9:58PM EST Reply to CommentThe answer is to your second question is HE LIED. Not to hold it against him but Abrams is a notorious liar, especially in regards to the secrecy of his projects.
I really thought this gig was Favreau's and honestly though JJ Abrams was the least likely especially considering he had the reigns of 'Star Trek'.
With that said, everything about this development starting with its announcement has been a shock so I'm removing all expectations and just waiting to see what happens. One thing's for sure, Abrams will treat the property with respect.
SB
January 25, 2013 at 10:34PM EST Reply to CommentThis is one day later (25th January) but only seeing the main page and this does not go any further to click and see the first of ten questions. I viewed in one other browser and it won't work -- anyone else?
tswifft
January 26, 2013 at 8:01PM EST Reply to CommentI'm just not sure Giacchino can pull off all of the new themes he would have to compose. His Star Trek score really only has that one theme over and over. His melodies are never that remarkable. Certainly not of the caliber of Williams. I think they should get Mark Griskey who does most of the Star Wars video games if Williams does not want to commit. He is great at capturing the original vibe.
Patrick A film score is more than just a collection of melodies. Just a thought...
January 30, 2013 at 12:24PM ESTAJ Agreed. There was WAY too much 'Lost' music in Star Trek... he needs to steer clear of Star Wars.
February 4, 2013 at 7:29AM ESTJabalong
January 26, 2013 at 11:23PM EST Reply to CommentThe dig against Mark Hamill's acting ability is unfair. Have a look at his IMDB page, Hamill's been working consistently for 20 years in voice-over work, including an iconic portrayal of The Joker in Batman TAS and its successors. Have no doubt Hamill can acquit himself just fine in what would likely be a small role in the Star Wars sequels.
Sean I was about to write a similar comment myself, but thought I should look to make sure I'm not repeating someone else's words. Hamill obviously struggled with being typecast after Star Wars and found success in animation. You can even argue that the fact that most people aren't aware of his voice-over work is a testament in itself to his performance as a voice-over actor.
January 30, 2013 at 11:48PM ESTAZryan
January 27, 2013 at 1:28PM EST Reply to CommentPretty lousy question list when so many readers can already answer the questions...
1 -It’s already been reported he’ll still direct Star Trek 3 -obviously the timing works out. Maybe he thought it wouldn’t?
2 -As others have noted, your failure to know that Roddenberry’s wife is dead was a huge fail. I think we can basically assume he just changed his mind for one or several ‘personal reasons’. That’s a good enough answer for the public. Why speculate that it was ‘money’? That’s really shallow and low class.
3 -I think we can assume that he wouldn’t have taken the job unless he thought he could do enough of what he’d want to do as far as story/control/vision. He must’ve read the current treatment and thought he could make that work. Since it’s film 7, it’s a very safe bet that it won’t be a reboot/reimagination. I’m personally guessing that he’ll look the most to Empire -the best production/story quality, least ‘Lucas’ film of the series for style matching.
4 -I’d guess that out of well-earned respect, Williams would be asked if he wants to score it. JJ and Giaccino would have to be awful people to not at least let Williams get the first call on that. Does anyone honestly think they could get away with snubbing him (or want to)? And as others have noted, Giaccino is NOT a great composer. His stuff fits and works well enough, but he’s never done anything as memorable as nearly ALL of Williams career (and he has to know that).
5 -Did Favreau get passed over again? Well, there seems to be plenty of word that he wanted the job and we know he didn’t get it, so isn’t that an answered question already??
AZryan
January 27, 2013 at 1:30PM EST Reply to Comment6 -I don’t think the behind the scenes ‘secrets’ matters much. I’m sure they’ll all decide together how much or not to reveal. It’s not like the actual project is any secret like much of his other work, so I assume we’ll get some little teaser bits and obviously no key plot point reveals.
7 -Did Affleck want to direct it? Who cares? I’m sure someone will ask him one day and he’ll say if he wad been interested. It’s a lousy question for this list.
8 -Knocking Hamill’s acting is just stupid. As other have noted, the author obviously has no clue how much outstanding voice work Hamill’s done for decades. If anything, the big question is Hamill’s looks (hence all the ‘voice’ work). He messed up his face after Star Wars and is not H’wood handsome at all now. Carrie Fisher would present the same ‘issue’ and even Ford is pretty over-the-hill to show up as a geriatric Han Solo -on top of the fact that he kinda hates Star Wars and wouldn’t want to be in it. If you don’t have all three, I think you’d have to replace all three actors or set the story so they aren’t in it (which is my bet for the plot). Note that if they’re in it, they’d probably have to be in 8 and 9 too and just seems even less likely (unless in tiny cameo form).
9 -This is a stupid question for 99.9% of fans who won’t be at either show.
10 -Another dumb question. Who cares how ‘hard core’ Trek fans react? Anyone who doesn’t act like a grown-up and doesn’t just judge the finished work when it comes out or seriously argues Trek Vs. Wars should be ignored for the fanboy idiot chumps that they are.
It’s already a fact that it’s going to be the third best Star Wars film (at least) based on the fact that 3 ½ current Star Wars films are complete garbage, and JJ Abrams doesn’t fail to make a decent film (at worst).
Happy Boy
January 28, 2013 at 10:04AM EST Reply to CommentYAY! The best Sci-Fi director is making a movie in the best Sci-Fi movie series! He took Trek into the 21st century with a masterful updating of Roddenberry's original vision. Look at that Trek cast picture...it's modern but you can still feel the original TV show's DNA in there. He's going to do for SW what Whedon did for Avengers! I'm psyched!
joel
January 28, 2013 at 12:17PM EST Reply to Comment"Et tu, brute? (That's Shakespeare for those playing at home. Look it up.)"
Maybe you should look it up, so you know that "Brute" (the vocative form of Brutus) is a name and should be capitalized.
Bob
January 29, 2013 at 9:49PM EST Reply to Comment"Did Majel Barret-Roddenberry giver her blessing?"...... Ummmmmmmm, no...she's dead....
mst3kfan1994
January 30, 2013 at 1:24AM EST Reply to CommentI agree with Jabalong. True, Hamill hasn't done much in live-action aside from a few parodies of Star Wars (I actually really liked a guest appearance he had on "Just Shoot Me"), but the guy has practically become a legend for his voiceover work as the Joker. That guy has acting talent, no doubt.
Joel Pfliger
February 1, 2013 at 12:58PM EST Reply to CommentMight as well merge the franchises ala AVP...
Not Mark Hamill
February 1, 2013 at 6:01PM EST Reply to CommentWhy worry about Mark Hamill? It's Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford who have become horrifying undead zombie versions of their past selves.
alex
February 2, 2013 at 2:04PM EST Reply to Commentthe answer to all those questions is: who gives a f***?? bring the freakin' movie!
AJ
February 4, 2013 at 7:26AM EST Reply to CommentGiacchino should stay away from Star Wars. It's out of his league. Star Trek was out of his league, as noted by the 'Lost' interlude during James' birth. Williams IS Star Wars. Abrams needs to leave some of his old team behind on this one.
Chit_Chat way too much love for Giacchino anyways...give it to Bear McCreary...the best composer in Movies/TV since Williams. BSG, TWD, Terminator, Eureka, etc he deserves a major production!
February 5, 2013 at 12:47AM ESTAJ Agreed CHIT_CHAT, McCreary occupies a lot of my iPod. I'd love to see him take over if Williams doesn't take it on (though I can't see Williams not do it).
February 5, 2013 at 1:32AM ESTjonathan lopez
February 4, 2013 at 6:03PM EST Reply to Commenti think williams should stay as composer, i mean he's a natural, he starts f the music and should finish it.