Yeah, she likes the new movies and she loves Hamilton. We got lucky and were able to see it a few months ago. I’m guessing you’re into Hamilton too?
Hahaha, my sister is going to love this.
Yeah, good job Disney!
Yeah, you wouldn’t want to emphasize Poe potentially surviving too much.
When Finn and Poe reunite, he says, “I got thrown from the crash, I woke up at night, not you, no ship, nothing!”
So does that mean Poe didn’t wake up until several hours later after the ship had already sank into the sand? Or could he just not see the smoke at night and wandered off?
Though if the First Order became one-track minded when they found Finn’s track and forgot about Poe, it actually might help explain how he survived and didn’t get recaptured. You just wonder how the didn’t find Poe’s parachute either.
Hahaha, pretty brave that he admitted it!
Some random thoughts:
In TFA, when Finn asks Rey if she has flown the Falcon, I wonder if it would be possible have Rey say, “Yes, but this ship hasn’t flown in years.” Any ideas on where Rey might’ve said something similar?
In the shot of BB-8 rolling toward the Falcon (the one from the first TFA teaser), it would be cute if BB-8 was making beeping sounds as he’s bouncing across the terrain. Sort of like the sound babies make when you’re bouncing them on your knee, where their tone shifts as they bounce.
This is more of an OT change relevant to the ST: I know some people don’t like the “Godspeed Rebels” lines, but instead of removing them, you could also have an offscreen rebel officer say it at some point in the OT to establish it as a rebel phrase. The only two people we ever hear say it in TLJ seem old enough to have both been OG rebels, so it would make sense for them to say that if it was something they said in their glory days.
I think there is an interesting idea in TLJ where we see older and younger generations working together and sometimes butting heads in both factions, and I wish that could’ve been explored more in the film.
This is cool! I wonder if the first desert insert could be a shot of Finn’s parachute, and the second desert shot could be the shot of the desert where Finn runs toward the smoke, but without the smoke, and added footprints in the sand?
EDIT: Since Poe’s return felt a little out of left field to some, couldn’t you use this additional scene to also hint at Poe’s survival? I understand why you have the lines the way you currently do though.
When I said adapt the Thrawn trilogy, I don’t mean I think they’ll try to adapt it verbatim. At the very least, I could see Filoni wanting to set up a similar situation where the OT heroes interact with Thrawn in some kind of conflict.
We saw Thrawn and Ezra disappear with the 7th Fleet at the end of Rebels, so maybe they end up returning to the known galaxy and cause some trouble that Luke, Han, Leia and Ben have to deal with. If you think about it, introducing Thrawn in Rebels and then sending him off into the Unknown Regions alive seems to hint that they might want to use his character in the future. The Thrawn trilogy is probably the most important EU story in Star Wars, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Filoni wanted to very very loosely adapt that story in the new canon in some way. And when I say story, I mean having Thrawn be a post-Endor threat to the OT heroes.
To play Devil’s advocate, maybe her style would’ve been less “off” to some if they had kept her “hippy-dippy” personality from the first cut of the film. I could possibly see an argument in toning down her style since they also toned down her personality.
Also, if she had been introduced as a surviving senator, more people may have felt her style better matched that profession.
I think the First Order only needs enough time to establish a proper foothold in key regions of the galaxy to hold onto their power. I mean, these planets would surrender their ships and weapons in fear of planetary destruction, then later they find out Starkiller Base is destroyed, but they’ve already surrendered their means of defense. By the time the truth is revealed, the galaxy would be at a severe disadvantage. That doesn’t even consider the “merciless legions” the First Order has to also quell opposition and strike fear in the innocent.
I elaborated on why I think that one changed sentence would add a lot to the overall narrative, but one sentence probably wouldn’t make a big difference as far as the context goes. I mean, in-universe I feel it makes logical sense that the galaxy wouldn’t immediately know that the hidden weapon that destroyed the capital actually was destroyed. And by the time they do, the First Order has already tied their hands to some extent.
I think it would be at least worth keeping in mind. IX might provide context that doesn’t really fit with this idea, or maybe it would line up well with what we see.
A quick thought on the opening crawl for TLJ. Someone may suggested this already but if so I’ll throw it back in the ring.
The First Order reigns. Unaware that Starkiller Base was destroyed, hundreds of New Republic worlds have surrendered to Snoke’s merciless legions in fear of total annihilation.
It could be worded differently, but I think emphasizing the important of Starkiller Base here would help strengthen the films generally as they are, as well as explain why the First Order would expend so many resources on building ‘another Death Star’.
When Starkiller Base destroyed the New Republic capital, not only did they destroy New Republic leadership, but maybe more importantly, they also set an example for the rest of the galaxy: if they oppose this new regime, their planet could also be destroyed by a hidden super weapon across the galaxy. There’s nowhere to hide.
Regardless of the scale of the First Order’s military (or the New Republic’s military for that matter), this fear alone would be enough for them to “control all the major systems within weeks”.
This also increases the importance of the Resistance and their survival. They are the only ones who know the truth. Leia may have sent operatives out to try and spread the news, but you know the First Order will be working even harder to discredit the truth as “fake news”. It also explains why their allies might be afraid to reach out and help them. For all they know Starkiller Base is still out there, and they can’t risk entire worlds for the lives of a small band of Resistance fighters.
It strengthens Luke’s significance in the story as well. Starkiller, like the Death Star before it, is a symbol of ultimate fear, and the only antedote to fear is hope, the ultimate hope of the Jedi. So the dichotomy between fear and hope becomes a clearer central theme, which has been fundamental to the Star Wars films since the beginning. You can see this already in the film when radio chatter on Crait is heard right as Luke walks in. Hope is returning.
This could potentially lead in well with the Rise of Skywalker, too. Since the Resistance survived and the truth has spread, planets throughout the galaxy have begun fighting back the First Order’s rule. And without the Starkiller Base to maintan that, a powerful hidden fleet would become that much more valuable to them.
Once the film releases in a few weeks, I’m sure we’ll have more ideas for the opening crawls once we have the entire picture of the Sequel Trilogy.
I think they could find the right balance for all the characters, but honestly I would rather get the further stories with Luke, Han and Leia in a film/television medium rather than just books or comics. And since Carrie isn’t with us and Harrison and Mark are older now, an animated series would be a great way to do it. Plus, since new movies and live-action shows will likely focus on new stories and characters, a show like this could be the one story that further develops the Skywalker Saga.
But you’re right, a show between ROTJ and TFA is just an assumption, but I guess people assume that because it fits the pattern of TCW and Rebels, and the way Rebels ends implies they’ll continue that post-ROTJ story. But it would make sense to focus on a new set of characters (not necessarily brand new characters), and let the main characters of the previous series be side characters, like Ahsoka and Rex were in Rebels.
Since the post-ROTJ stories about Luke, Han and Leia were such a big part of the old EU, I can see Dave wanted to explore that with a new series.
For what it is worth, this was what was set in a Making Star Wars Podcast back in July:
Jason has heard that there is a new Star Wars animated series in the works which is more central to the story than ‘Rebels’ or ‘Resistance’. Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau are behind the series but it isn’t connected to The Mandalorian. Jason knows more but doesn’t want to say at this time.
If any of that is true, hopefully we’ll find out by Celebratuon.
I fully expect Filoni to do something about Ahsoka and Sabine searching for Ezra around the same time as The Mandalorian (and I think it would rule if those characters showed up on Mando when that other hypothetical show/miniseries/movie/whatever gets going, a la that one TNG 2-parter where they went to DS9). As for whether or not Dave is a reasonable or probable pick to replace Kennedy at some point, I kind of feel like he’s too much of a writer for that gig. Does that sort of job typically go to a creative?
I’ve heard rumors of there being another animated series that would be the spiritual successor to Rebels and The Clone Wars. It’s likely that Sabine, Ezra, and Ahsoka would return in that series, but I’m hoping it isn’t just about that.
I kind of hope that this is another “gap” series, sort of how Rebels and TCW filled the gaps between movies, Series #3 would fill the gap in-between Return of the Jedi and the Force Awakens. I think an animated series would be the perfect way to show the further adventures of Luke, Han and Leia. The show would need a new young protagonist to follow like Ahsoka or Ezra. It could be one of Luke’s students, but having it be Ben Solo would also be a great way to add further weight to his character in the Sequel Trilogy.
We’ve already seen that Dave Filoni likes to introduce Legends material, and combining the story of the OT heroes and the animated heroes would allow for this show to potentially do a soft reboot of Heir to the Empire, or at the very least have the OT heroes encounter Thrawn. The OT heroes interacting with characters like Ahsoka, Ezra and Sabine could be interesting too.
it seems almost like Mandalorians are the Star Wars version of Klingons now.
That’s an insult to the Mandalorians.
I’ve heard a lot of people describe the legends Mandos this way, I guess since they make the easiest comparisons as “the warrior race”.
In all seriousness, what would you change about ROTJ if you could? I like hearing your perspective!
- Remove the Death Star II, or make the Death Star II a ruse to lure the Rebels into a trap.
- Retool the entire Jabba sequence. Jabba’s palace would’ve be on a planet other than Tatooine; Leia would gift the droids to Jabba; Lando would free Han from the carbonite and get captured in the process; then Leia would arrive in person and successfully barter for Han & co’s freedom. Everything else would be cut.
- Luke would be on Dagobah, where he’d have been since the events of TESB, finishing his training under Yoda. He wouldn’t have a new lightsaber at this point.
- Leia would be “the other”, as powerful in the Force as Luke, but not his sister.
- Han would have some actual dignity. Instead of delivering dumb slapstick and one-liners, his relationship with Leia would continue to evolve.
- The Ewoks would be scary. They’d be pygmy versions of the original Chewbacca design, with oversized eyes and sharp fangs. They’d wear clothing made from human skin, and gruesome sculptures made of Imperial armour and human bones would decorate their village.
- Palpatine would not be a cackling Saturday morning cartoon supervillain. He’d be as he was portrayed by Clive Revill — resonant but understated.
- There’d be deeper exploration into Vader’s motivations and psyche. It would be made clear that Vader was a good man who joined Palpatine under false pretenses and became his puppet, and now wishes his son to join him in the dark side so together they can depose Palpatine and transform the Empire into the strong but benevolent power he always wanted it to be.
- It would be revealed that Vader kept Ben’s lightsaber as a trophy, and he would show it to Luke on Endor.
- Palpatine’s finest troops would actually live up to that descriptor. For once, we’d have stormtroopers with effective armour who can actually hit what they fire at.
- Palpatine would make a strong case for why Luke should turn to the dark side — power not for power’s sake, which Luke doesn’t crave, but to right wrongs, avenge evil, and protect his loved ones.
- During their duel, Luke and Vader would end up swapping lightsabers; Luke, with Vader’s red lightsaber, would face Vader, with Ben’s blue lightsaber.
- Han would die in the battle on Endor.
- Vader would succumb quicker to his injuries after killing Palpatine. He would die without his true face ever being revealed.
- Luke would dismantle Ben and Vader’s lightsabers and craft his own from their components. This lightsaber would be purple.
- No Force ghosts at the end. Whether or not Anakin atoned for his sins by saving Luke would be left up to the viewer to decide for themself.
I wouldn’t make Leia a Force-sensitive at all. Why, you may ask? It renders the entire quest to find Luke in The Force Awakens completely pointless from the start, especially in The Last Jedi, where it is revealed that she’s suddenly this powerful Force-user who flies back to the ship upon being blown out into space.
There’s an implication in TLJ that the display of her force powers to save her own life was either subconscious or unconscious, with no indication that she actually has any control of those powers (she never uses them again). Plus flying in space takes very little effort. I think it’s an awkwardly executed scene, but I also think the idea that it invalidates the quest to find Luke is a little silly.
Then why didn’t the Resistance need her this whole entire time to be the Force-user they needed to help defeat the First Order? Hell, the leaked plot summary for The Rise of Skywalker on Reddit says that she trained with Luke!
For one, it’s not like Leia was going to be as strong as Luke, especially since she presumably hasn’t trained at all since she had Ben. And two, I don’t think Leia has the same kind of klout the legendary Luke Skywalker has that could reunite the galaxy against this great evil. She might be the Resistance leader, but apparently she had lost some influence in the Senate, and she isn’t a “Jedi” like her brother.
I know you’ll be releasing the movie in December around the time of The Rise of Skywalker, but do you think you could get a workprint ready before releasing the full edit?
I’m still holding out for a few dialogue replacements, but if those aren’t done soon I’ll go ahead and render a workprint version without them before TROS.
I was kind of hoping Finn would be like, “Why did I never get a jetpack?”
Hey Pearce! I hope Hal doesn’t mind me chiming in, but it is really nice to hear constructive feedback from a fresh perspective. Your thought on the scene reordering is interesting but makes total sense. I’ll leave that to Hal and see what he says about it.
About the Star Destroyer reaction, maybe in the shot of Finn walking up the steps of the ship, you could insert a sound of the Star Destroyer jumping out of hyperspace, just like what we hear at the beginning of The Last Jedi when the Resistance was evacuating. That would be the simplest addition I think.
Yeah, I could imagine there would be inherent fears within the Empire of the fearsome Mandalorians of old wanting to return to power. The Mandalorians have also always been independent, so the Empire trying to control them would inevitably resort to opposition. And the Mandalorians could be a huge threat if they were align with a larger cause like the Rebel Alliance.
A central focus of the Empire’s campaign against them was beskar. Not only is it a valuable resource, but taking away beskar was taking away a central piece of Mandalorian identity: their armor. And if they could wipe away their identity, they could put in place their own regime, which was something we saw in Rebels with the Saxon clan being the Empire’s lapdogs. So this is probably why some Mandalorians take working with the Empire so personally, because that stolen beskar was a part of an effort to destroy their culture.
Yeah, it seems to imply that the New Republic’s territory and influence seems to be limited to the Core worlds, at least in the five years after the Battle of Endor.
Regarding the Mandos, I also am not sure why certain Mando enclaves are in hiding despite the Empire having fallen years ago. I’m wondering if a rival faction of Mandos (or an Imperial warlord?) are in control of Mandalore, but they (like the Death Watch) are still in hiding. Or maybe they follow a certain nomadic tradition and their small numbers resulting from the purge is what compels them to stay underground for the time being. I’m guessing we’ll learn more as the show progresses. In Rebels, we see that the Mandos were starting to unite to take on the Empire, but this show sort of implies that their rebellion may not have gone well.
Boba was never in Rebels, but according to the new canon, Boba Fett never was technically a Mandalorian, but only wore the armor, so he had no allegiance to Mandalorian culture.
but maybe making Poe (and the audience) feel like something is off about Holdo is the point
The first time I saw it, I totally thought she was a FO spy.
Same! The audience isn’t supposed to trust her.
but maybe making Poe (and the audience) feel like something is off about Holdo is the point
The effects look great! I’m curious why you changed Obi-Wan’s lightsaber to green in Revenge of the Sith though, since he is using his OT lightsaber, unless you’re planning to make his saber green in ANH too.
I remember seeing your videos awhile back! Pretty cool work. Hope you stick around the forums some.
The Ackbar change must’ve taken a bit of time!