Wow, that is gorgeous! I never noticed the glow reflecting off the nose of that last X-Wing before. Seeing this just really makes me sad that we almost lost these things to time if not for the fans.
bkev said:
Interested in this "online uproar" you speak of, SilverWook. What's the reaction to this news on the whole? I'm generally indifferent.
I'm not Silverwook but here's a sampling of some of the reactions:
The EU was canon for me. If Disney won’t respect the old fans for their ongoing support and simply declare our stories to be some fanboy apocrypha, why should we bother with them? Declaring the EU to be “legend” would at least indicate the existence of our charcters. And if it was as important as they claim Christie Golden’s Sword of the Jedi trilogy could move forward. It isn’t. Because the mouse is blowing sunshine up your exhaust port. I knew Disney would screw this up the minute they bought it. This isn’t Marvel. We don’t reboot canon just to shake things up. I watched the first movie in theaters when I was 3. I lived and breathed Star Wars. I took in the new movies and even accepted Jar Jar but I would’ve been happier to just read the EU until I died than to have them jettison it like a Star Destroyer before it goes into hyperspace. Unless they rectify this massive misstep my fandom will have to come to an end.
I want my money back from all the books I bought from Xwing series to the New Jedi Order series then. Waste of my time and money. Someone should set up a lawsuit against Disney. Lol. But I’m serious.
What a load of crock. You killed the EU when you decided to write a new future for Star Wars. For good or bad, it’s done and nothing will change that. Don’t try to sweeten the poison and don’t treat people invested in the EU as cripples that need a pat on the back and a good word for the road.
“Even though they would no longer be part of a Star Wars official history, they’re still stories that mean something, and they can mean something to you, even if they didn’t ‘happen.’”
Just stop talking. No one cares about headcanon.
It’s kind of crappy I wasted all the time and money on the novels just to say none of that is real, just a legend in your own head… Oh well it was expected I guess…
If they’re gonna declare all the EU “non-canon,” I want my money back for all of the officially licensed stuff I’ve bought from Lucasfilm over the years. Lucasfilm mandated that all the EU material tie in with the trilogies and with each other to be licensed by them. Now, it all goes out the window. Lucasfilm and Disney should be ashamed for betraying their loyal, diehard fans in this way. No amount of condescending, false coddling and half-baked excuses is gonna change the fact that it is a betrayal of those of us who have faithfully followed the EU over the last 20+ years. It makes me sick.
Dear Disney and Not fans of the EU,
In regards to the Lucasfilm’s “retcon” of the Star Wars Expanded Universe.
They said that the stories in the EU was a great way of fans to share their version of the Star Wars universe.
They committed two atrocities in that simple accusation.
First, they said that the EU was put together by mere fans, making it a “fanfiction.” Fanfictions are prevalent on the internet today. Many fanfictions are horrible pieces of writing. While some are adapted into childlike stories, the vast majority that I have come across, involve certain even childhood characters engaging in s3xual activities. This sort fanfiction is spread throughout many fandoms, from the Animes Naruto and Dragon Ball Z to even My Little Pony. Disney did not stop at calling it a “fanfiction.”
They said that the EU did not hold in continuity, that it was a “fanfiction.” Though some fanfictions can be good, all agree that they are not part of any unified storylines. The EU was part of a storyline drawn up by George Lucas and then turned over to pre-Disney Lucasbooks to handpick authors. The authors then did their best in creating a story worthy of the Star Wars Universe.
Which leads me to another point. Those authors put hard work into creating those books, only to have Disney’s Lucasfilm declare that the books were no longer in continuity and had no effect on the Star Wars Universe.
Yet conveniently, Disney made it a point to convey the idea that such writings that contributed to the behemoth known as Star Wars, were, in essence, cute. Disney said that people really do enjoy them, so in the name of satisfying the fans, they will sell the books as “Legends.” What they really mean, of course, is that they will continue to plunder the talents of the authors, by selling them under their own banner, with a continued ability to create crappy, pulp, politically correct storylines, thus raking in more revenue. Of course, they can use material from part of a single book from, say the Thrawn trilogy, but it won’t have to have the honor of being complete in its retelling. It could simply be just retold after tearing half the pages out, editing different dance sequences in, with bad music.
The worst crime they committed was not so much against the authors, because in selling their books to the publishers, some tend to detach themselves from their books, especially when they are in the habit of making many books. The crime was towards the entire fan base.
If someone claims that he is a Star Wars fan, I can easily strike up a conversation about the mythology of the EU, because it was something accepted, something that, no matter what, would be there. And without a hint of remorse, in a flood of forced optimism, Disney picked up the entire fan base, broke it over its knee, and threw it into the trash. A large part of my childhood, flushed down the toilet, like it was nothing.
Already, many fans are grieving over this great theft. An outsider may consider this act of grieving over a fictional universe, silly. After all, the stories are simply lies crafted from an imagination. They aren’t real. It’s not as if someone died, or the country fell to invaders.
In answer to that, these stories were real. They gave us heroes to look to. They gave us characters to imitate. They opened our eyes to different realities in the real world, even within philosophy. Mara Jade Skywalker, the wife of Luke Skywalker, taught me that to accomplish things, you didn’t need some magic power, but one’s two hands. She was not only killed, she was ripped from existence. Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Imperial that picked up the shards of the Empire, a military genius, philosopher, art appreciator and gentleman—also torn from existence. I followed the trials of Han Solo after him losing Chewbacca, his best friend, stayed with him as he overcame his grief for his friend, and later, his son becoming a murderer, like Darth Vader, his daughter killing him herself. I followed Boba Fett as he got old, and actually started caring about his people. I watched Darth Bane create the Rule of Two which led to the culmination of Darth Sidious and Darth Vader, one thousand years before Star Wars, A New Hope, the movie that started it all. I watched the children of Han and Leia (yes, they got married) grow up from little tikes, into strong Jedi. I witnessed the birth of Luke’s child many years later. I’ve seen countless wars, I have witnessed the political workings of the New Republic, The Empire’s Remnant, the Galactic Republic, the Old Republic, and of course, the Galactic Empire.
There are no large figures to lead us (the maltreated Star Wars fans). Timothy Zahn, the author of the Thrawn trilogy, is being misguided by Disney, and is not backing us; he must not know that when Disney said that they were ditching the EU, they were literally ditching it.
At first, I couldn’t believe it. They not only cut out the stories after the movie “Return of the Jedi”, but they removed the entire universe.
Gone.
Thirty years of hard work. Gone.
More than a hundred books, most of which were great. Gone.
All the games that told a story, immersing us into the universe and into the life of the characters. Gone.
My childhood. Half of it just ripped out, repackaged and the now dead part being sold.
Gone.
I feel sick.
Most importantly, I will no longer be able to count on future Star Wars fans on knowing the mythology that I know, I cannot know that in the distant future, whether there will be fans. I didn’t even get to know more than a handful who know about the EU.
That's just a small sampling from one comment section. I've seen some real vicious stuff out there, especially on Facebook.
Here's my list. I haven't watched every series but I've seen a good portion of them:
Fantastic Four (1967-1970)
Every episode is a direct adaptation of an issue of the comic. They're pretty faithful and it has a great cast.
Spider-man (1967-1970)
This is my favorite Marvel series hands down. Again, it directly adapts actual issues but they take some hilarious liberties with the animation. Great cast and the perfect voice for Spider-man.
X-Men (1992-1997)
Iconic opening theme to a fun series. This show is what really launched the X-Men into the mind of popular culture.
Spider-man (1994-1998)
Fun series with another catchy intro. Again helped introduce a new generation to the iconic character.
Iron Man (1994-1996)
Avoid.
Spider-man Unlimited (1999-2001)
An interesting take on the character though due to low ratings never really got to anywhere.
X-Men: Evolution (2000-2003)
A fresh take on the characters that still has its fans to this day.
Ultimate Avengers, Ultimate Avengers 2 (2006)
Incredibly dull.
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (2010-2013)
Just plain awful opening theme but the show itself was fantastic. It's a crime that it was cut short. The show that replaced it was...
Avengers Assemble (2013- )
Awful, lifeless cartoon adaptation of the MCU. Earth's Mightiest Heroes was full of character and charm, whereas this was just...dull.
Ultimate Spider-man (2012- )
I'm currently going through this series on Netflix. It's a fun take on what introducing Spider-man to the MCU would be like since Marvel still had television rights to the character. Now that they actually have the film rights, I hope the new movies can live up to this show.
Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers (2014- )
Bizarre concept for a series that basically turns the Avengers into Pokemon. I was able to watch the first episode and was surprised by the decent writing and depiction of the characters.
Kyle Katarn without a doubt.
It's interesting how the engine glow fades once it gets to the other end of the screen.
Going in costume are we?
Simon Pegg did a recent interview with Collider where:
Simon Pegg said:
It’s going to be extraordinary. I’m so excited for people to see it. It’s going to be everything that we wanted 16 years ago and didn’t get.
PTers have since been tearing him apart online for slighting their precious trilogy.
Princess Leia #2
Eh, decent though highly predictable. It was quite strange seeing Leia sporting hair accessories that call back to her slave outfit given the time period. These new artists and writers need to stop with these pointless/anachronistic callbacks. It was a big problem with the EU, boosting things that are supposed to be rare/unknown as common place. Really don't want to see this new canon slipping back into that.
Darth Vader #3
I was fine with the few destroyer droids last issue but they really need to stop now. This issue was packed with destroyers and super battle droids. Didn't even feel like the correct time period until toward the end of the issue when we finally see a protocol droid and astromech. Next issue sees a return to Geonosis to restore a droid factory. Sigh. =\
The writing took a serious dive this issue as well. What was my favorite comic in the current line has quickly taken a turn for the worst.
Sigh, I've always been an advocate for traditional animation. Though I've come to accept the nature of both the Clone Wars and Rebels, there are times I lament that it's not been like this.
I believe that was a fan made piece that George saw and got a kick out of. So the guy that made it donated it to Lucasfilm.
I know this is a little off topic but given Mike's last big post I figured I should share this upcoming Star Wars Celebration panel:
Star Wars Original Props and Costumes
Sat. April 18| 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM | Collectors Stage – 210AB
Experience the stories behind the discovery and preservation of the most amazing film-used original Star Wars props and costumes in private hands! Featuring in-depth spotlight discussions about key props and collections, slideshows filled with newly uncovered production artifacts, and the chance to ask questions of the panelists, this presentation is not to be missed! Sharing their decades of experience will be collectors Brandon Alinger and Stephen Lane, of the Prop Store's LA and London offices, Star Wars collector Gus Lopez, and Tom Spina, effects artist and movie prop conservation and display specialist.
Definitely something worth checking out if anyone else here will be in attendance.
Okay. If you want some real entertainment while at Celebration, you HAVE to attend this panel:
One Big Story: Working Within the Star Wars Canon
Fri. April 17| 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Star Wars Fan Stage – 303ABCD
Last year Lucasfilm announced the beginning of a brand-new approach to storytelling: the continuing Star Wars universe would be one huge, entirely connected, canon saga across all media, overseen by the Lucasfilm Story Group. As a major provider of non-film or TV related creative content, publishers bear a responsibility to tell new and exciting stories within these parameters. What’s it like knowing that the projects you are working on are considered canon? How do you approach storytelling so it fits in with so many other types of media? How can publishers work together to help fans feel like they really are reading one big universe? And exactly where does the Story Group fit in? Join Michael Siglain, creative director and Jennifer Heddle, senior editor, from Lucasfilm and Disney publishing; editor-at-large Shelly Shapiro from Del Rey; editor Jordan D. White, VP International Development; C.B. Cebulski from Marvel; managing editor Sadie Smith from DK; and Leland Chee from the Lucasfilm Story Group as they discuss the new world that has opened up for Star Wars storytelling, and how to navigate the intricately interconnected world of a galaxy far, far away.
The sheer amount of salt that will be generated by this panel will be legendary. I would not be surprised to see outbursts from the crowd and actual tears during the Q&A.
They could always reintroduce Barriss Offee as an Inquisitor. Would be interesting seeing the interplay between her and Ahsoka given their history.
I can't remember if the Clone Wars hinted at a special prison for Force sensitives or not.
Dr. Pepper.
Interesting, I heard they were making Clerks 3.
Confirmed Ghostbusters II fan.
Mondess122 said:
Gremlins 2: The New Batch (on equal level as the original, except in much different ways);
Now that's crazy talk!
Well that's good because...
Frankly, all of that stuff does. Anyone know what George is supposed to be filling his up with?
I think John Williams might retain some rights to his music. At least I believe I've heard something along those lines in the past.
Jumping ship waaaaay too early. Did you quit TCW after the movie with the lovable adventures of Stinky the Hutt? As with TCW, Rebels is a show that improves with each episode. At least make it to Rise of the Old Masters before heading for the escape pods.
I would like to discuss this hypothetical cosplayer.
What motivated them, why did this character inspire so much work to be put into a costume? Just how authentic is this costume anyway? Are they resentful about the Legends decision?
So it looks like FOX couldn't wait for the official return of Twin Peaks.
So instead, they let M. Night Shyamalan make this:
The director's cut of Chronicles of Riddick is a decent film. Though I hate the introduction of powers and what not. People loved Pitch Black for the gritty Sci-Fi atmosphere and then for a sequel they turned the universe into a fantasy world.
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This is comedy but I'm sure people like this really exist. As Padme would say, they're breaking my heart.
There's no way that warranted a new thread. Clearly the solution here is for you to add a NO EU rule in the first post. And or see someone about this irrational prejudice of yours. =P
Well here's hoping someone drops your name in the hat to compose for one of the spin-offs! Based on what I've heard, I think you'd do an excellent job.