jedi_bendu

Lucasfilm really have to stop announcing feature films and then hope everyone just forgets about them when they run into production troubles (although my bet is still on Rogue Squadron happening at some point)

The High Republic era has so much more potential than what you could fit into a film aimed completely at children. That feels wrong, since the main books have been actually very dark in tone and featuring adult themes. ‘Kid’s films’ can still be great (one can argue Star Wars was always primarily marketed towards young audiences) but I can’t help but feel that the HR era and its amazing writers are being short-changed here, if the rumour is true.

I wondered if the explanation of scheduling conflicts was covering up for something, perhaps creative differences, or Lucasfilm not wanting to keep Patty Jenkins attached to the project after the critical reception of WW84 (similarly to how Josh Trank may have been dropped after Fantastic 4, the GOT directors may have been dropped after the final season, and Colin Trevorrow may have been dropped after Henry). I hoped not, because Rogue Squadron made me quite excited and I really didn’t want the movie to be cancelled.

According to reports, scheduling conflicts indeed aren’t the whole picture, but it’s nothing to be too worried about. According to this article from Jordan Maison, who’s been reliable in the past, LFL just want to fine tune the script and get the film right, which I’m glad to hear. This article also has some details about how Lucasfilm are approaching film productions at the minute, and about potential secret movies in the pipeline (which could take Rogue Squadron’s 2023 slot)

https://www.cinelinx.com/movie-news/where-will-the-next-star-wars-film-take-place/

With the Obi-wan Kenobi and Ahsoka solo series on the horizon and rumours of an Old Republic movie and Thrawn trilogy adaptation (of sorts) flying around, I’m slightly worried by the implication that Lucasfilm’s planning of future projects is being dictated by what they think the majority of fans want to see, as I love being surprised with new and unexpected ideas. Things I didn’t know I needed, like SW Rebels and the High Republic. I’m sure these will all be very good though.

Thanks for sharing Rodney, didn’t know this and it may be helpful (although I’m not sure if it all applies in the UK or not…)

A probably unpopular opinion of mine is I really like the idea of kyber crystals changing colour depending on what emotions you channel into them. The concept of ‘bleeding’ a crystal with negative emotions, turning it red (and the reverse, ‘healing’ it to turn it white), was introduced in E.K. Johnston’s Ahsoka novel and I’ve seen it get a lot of flak. I think it’s a really nice artistic touch though and a great in-universe explanation of the different lightsaber colours.

Not so sure about crystals being alive, but I certainly like the concept of them reflecting the emotions of their wielder - in the same way as Jedi/sith force techniques like lightning.

JackNapier said:

For the first time in my life, I’m going on a date tomorrow

Congrats, I hope you have a great time!

I get annoyed when people say ‘modern movies suck’ or something along that line, especially critics making videos with that in a title. It’s such a bad faith, blanket statement. I share the concern that the box office is so dominated by familiar brands, but there are loads of original (and great) movies being made if you only look for them. People who argue the quality of storytelling has dropped almost always just cherry pick classics from the 60s, 70s, 80s etc and conveniently ignore that comic book movies or franchise films coming out on top is nothing new - movies like The Shining and Blade Runner were both box office flops, and franchise entries like Batman Forever made twice as much money as both of them put together. But I guess it’s cool to complain about ‘these days’ and show how much smarter you are than everyone else.

Stardust1138 said:

act on instinct said:

Can never get over the line of thinking that because Lucas had multiple ideas for the sequels that means he had x number of alternate versions, the creative process aside along with the fact that these are three movies we’re talking about already, this is the guy obsessed with intercutting multiple stories.

I don’t think it makes me a bad person to change my mind.

No, in fact I would say that makes you a better writer! Rewriting, and thinking along different lines than you did at first, can be hard.

I can’t wait to dive into this era of books. I’ve only read Splinter of the Mind’s Eye so far and I have a collection of comics from around 1982/83 (The Original Marvel Years vol 4). It’s fascinating to explore a time when writers were still in the process of defining the Star Wars EU.

Yeah, he had a lot of cut scenes I believe. I really want an extended cut of this film one day.

fmalover said:

I agree with Villeneuve’s decision to make Chani the protagonist in part 2, because in the book Paul’s prolonged exposure to the unrefined spice further unlocks his mental capabilities, and IIRC both Jessica and Chani notice that he’s becoming increasingly aloof, and audiences need a grounded, relatable character.

Great point. I’m excited to see how Timothée plays the Paul from the last section of the book, the fearsome military leader who has lost some of his humanity. I think Timothée captured the darkness in Paul, for example in the Gom Jabbar scene, really well.

The thought did occur to me, actually. It can be justified as many different races have clearly settled on Arrakis in the past, but yes I agree Chani should probably have been played by a middle eastern or african actor. I do like Zendaya though.

Another topic - I was reading this article and Denis Villeneuve touches on why he chose a very realistic colour palette. I suspected it was for realism (as the film hasn’t been de-saturated, the colours are what the deserts of Wadi Rum and Abu Dhabi actually look like) and he seems to confirm this.

https://www.indiewire.com/2021/08/denis-villeneuve-dune-2-zendaya-protagonist-1234658258/

timdiggerm said:

This is very intriguing. Do we think the show is pretty much all set on Tatooine, or will it only start there, then move elsewhere as the new Fett Corporation expands to fill the void left by Jabba’s demise?

I’d bet it’ll move elsewhere - the trailer is deceptive, as it’s like the Mandalorian season 2 trailers in that it’s probably only footage from the first few episodes. In fact it’s feasible that everything in this teaser is from the first episode alone.

Andor and The Acolyte I’m looking forward to for different reasons. The rest, not right now. I don’t want to be a downer and go into lots of detail though. Currently my enthusiasm for Star Wars is being carried by the High Republic project and the current comic runs which I’m really enjoying!

fmalover said:

I also hate how Kynes is often condescending towards outsiders which greatly contrasts with book Kynes who is very deferential to avoid suspicion.

Kynes in the book is repeatedly warned by Gurney for not being respectful enough to the Duke. He is never quite condescending, but speaks with an air of authority and often in a cold and judgemental manner. This is exactly the same with Sharon Duncan-Brewster’s version of Kynes.

I suppose you mean Kynes’ pregnancy would be obvious to the Imperium but I don’t believe she’s regularly reporting to the Emperor in person. It’s clear she has spent much time among the fremen and likely spent her pregnancy with them as well. Of course, it’s not even confirmed yet that Kynes is Chani’s mother in the new movies. Even if that’s carried over from the novel and she is, this is a very minor nitpick.

I didn’t get the sense the performance was wooden at all. I think you’re making a much bigger deal out of something which really makes no difference to the character. And besides, diversity is indeed important, no matter what some people say.

This doesn’t really make me hyped at all to be honest, but then I’m not that excited for the future of Star Wars TV shows in general right now.

I’m slightly annoyed that if rumours are true, they didn’t even approach Taylor Gray and Tiya Sircar to consider them reprising their roles as Ezra and Sabine. I know voice actors may not necessarily be experienced at live action acting but I find it disrespectful to voice actors everywhere that so many people think keeping the original character voices isn’t important.

I would probably have preferred a Rebels sequel series to be animated, as you can be more ambitious and not limited by practical live action constraints (think Ahsoka’s short head tails in The Mandalorian…), but ah well. I might change my tune depending on how good it looks (and I’m very happy it’s being reported that Lars Mikkelsen is returning to play Thrawn. It never could have been anyone else in my book)

I’m reading Carrie by Stephen King for the first time.
Is good.

Almost all my changed opinions on Star Wars things have been the opposite direction. I loved The Force Awakens when it came out because it was such a fantastic experience but criticised it more over time; very similar with The Mandalorian season 2. I actually think the only releases where I’ve truly moved from dislike to a cautious liking are the prequels. I used to really dislike them, particularly because their aesthetics are so off-kilter with those of the OT, but now I appreciate the overall story more and the era is being filled with lore, amazing story opportunities and memorable designs. I think The Clone Wars TV show really helped improve the movies for me. They’re still not fantastic films imo, but I respect them and what they’re trying to do. And I do watch and enjoy them every once in a while!

Glad you’ve returned to The Clone Wars Johann - most people would agree the series gets better as it goes on. You have lots in store! I hope you try Rebels next and see what you think.

In the novel the information that there is gas rising underneath him is all delivered through Kynes’ thoughts, and especially since Villeneuve stayed away from voiceover dialogue for characters’ thoughts, it would have been a strange death on film. Given Kynes’ religious reverence for the sandworm earlier in the movie, I thought it was a brilliantly fitting death and foreshadows the advantage the fremen have over the harkonnens in knowing the desert well.

Oops. Thanks Z6PO. If only I could remember anything from GCSE French…

Ronster said:

@Jedi_bendu watch the spicediver redux of 1984 Dune not the theatrical or extended cut.

Still this has problems / issues but it’s currently the best extended cut on offer. It’s on youtube or internet archive I think.

Essentially you have to look past both theatrical and extended cuts of 1984 Dune. As neither feel fully complete.

The Spicediver Redux is the most complete version but it’s not thought out too well about how it might go together in a different way scene orders etc…Although it is clever how it does the filmbook scenes. Spicediver redux it’s main focus is trying to make it more like the book (both good and bad in my opinion) and it also did not restore music cues either. But it’s a very good effort… But still it can be better than that version.

It’s one of the classic butchered films that will probably never be resolved but like I said look past the theatrical and extended versions…

Well in this case, you saying Dune 1984 is better than Dune 2021 is an unfair comparison right? Villenueve’s Dune hasn’t got an extended cut yet. A longer version might likely fix most of the problems you have with it.

Also, thanks so much for the recommendation. I feel like a proper Dune fan now so I’ll definitely check out the Spicediver Redux at some point.

fmalover said:

Two changes I did like were Paul’s visions of possible future where Jamis becomes his mentor in the Fremen ways and friend, it greatly improved the scene where he sheds tears for a man he barely knew.

I also really love getting to see more of Beast Rabban and the effect he has on Arrakis. Imo that’s something that’s actually skipped over a little in the novel. Rabban is just someone who we mostly only hear about, his death is passed on as simple information as well.

Something else which is currently on my mind, which I’d love to discuss, is casting for part two (which seems pretty much confirmed at this point, yay!)

Warning: this post will contain minor spoilers for the book, in terms of who appears, if you haven’t read it.

From what I can tell the two most popular fancasts for Feyd Rautha right now are Harry Styles and Bill Skarsgard, and off the top of my head those would be my top picks too. Yes, including Harry Styles would continue the tradition of a popular musician in the role of Feyd but more importantly, I remember him in Dunkirk and that man can ACT. A key factor is how Harry Styles doesn’t look dissimilar to Timothee and the characters are meant to parallel each other somewhat. On the other hand, you can see the family resemblance of Bill Skarsgard to Stellan and since Bill’s performance of Pennywise in IT is by far one of my favourite grotesque performances we know he can be very intimidating. I’d love to see Bill getting more major roles as he deserves them.

Princess Irulan’s casting I’m not too fussed about, Shaddam IV however I’m really interested to see who they cast. I honestly don’t have many ideas.

As for Alia, who knows… I bet the child actor will be someone we don’t even know of yet.

fmalover said:

As for gender-swapping Kynes, I just couldn’t get behind it. I didn’t like it when they announced it and I don’t like it in the movie. Period.

Of course I’m not saying you have to like it, but why not? I’m curious why it makes so much difference to some. Maybe if it was Paul I wouldn’t like it either, but Kynes isn’t a huge character in the book or the film anyway.