jedi_bendu

Formerly the ‘Ahsoka Tano - discussion’ thread. It’s now the dedicated thread for the series but general discussion about the character of Ahsoka is still welcome!

Image source: Screenrant

“After making her long awaited live-action debut in The Mandalorian, Ahsoka Tano’s story, written by Dave Filoni, will continue in a limited series starring Rosario Dawson and produced by Dave Filoni and Jon Favreau.” - Disney official description

At time of writing, the latest news is that Hayden Christen will be appearing as Anakin in the series. I think right now the main question is whether this will be a character-study type show focusing on Ahsoka and her past, perhaps leading into a sequel to Star Wars Rebels, or whether this will be the Rebels sequel itself. What are your thoughts?

(Note: as the purpose of the thread was changed, discussion of the Ahsoka series starts properly on Page 3)

timdiggerm said:

• No characters except for Rey & Ben had a story or anything to do. This is a huge screw-up, and the cast’s obvious frustration with this in interviews is completely justified. Poe had a little bit of something when he talked with Lando about the burden of leadership, and that part was actually good, but should’ve been more. Finn had nothing, and should have had the lead-a-stormtrooper-rebellion as originally conceived.

Great points. In regard to this last one, I am GUTTED we didn’t get a stormtrooper revolution, especially after hearing that that was initially planned. Stormtroopers are so often just the background bad guys, they’re just there, and it’s very rare an Imperial shows moral conflict or humanity. TFA begins with Finn’s defection and that’s the main example of it ever happening. Logically, it should have been a microcosm of an eventually massive plot point, and as you say, a perfect resolution to Finn’s arc throughout the sequels (which now he doesn’t have) and something purely awesome to watch unfold. I’m serious when I say it would have justified the entire sequel trilogy for me.

Alas, one of my biggest problems with Rise of Skywalker is how the everyman/woman theme that was picked up in TLJ has been dropped YET AGAIN in the saga. Rey apparently needs to be connected to a previous character for her to have a part in the main story, and Finn defects from the First Order because of course he was born a ‘good guy’ (and also force sensitive), while the rest of the brainwashed stormtroopers excluding Naomie Ackie are all bad guys who he can spend the rest of the trilogy killing and cheering on their deaths. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to rant about this for ages. IMO it’s the biggest missed opportunity in Star Wars and I will forever be pissed off about it.

I can only pick out a few flaws or missed opportunities, like Leia not getting the emotional reaction to finding out who her father is that Luke was allowed. I’ve never understood the hate for the film.

Yes, Luke’s plan to rescue Han is probably best enjoyed if you don’t think about it too much, but Return of the Jedi is like Revenge of the Sith in that they both have to spend the first third of the film taking care of a previously established situation (Han in carbonite, Dooku has to die at some point) and it’s my opinion that both do this in entertaining fashion.

Although I do sometimes wonder what the early concepts for the film might have been like on screen - Kashyyyk, ‘Imperial Centre’ etc. before they were channelled into Endor and DS2 - because it sounds like a film with more scope, I think ROTJ is a very dynamic and satisfying final chapter. I’m interested in hearing more of the issues people have with it because I’ve never been able to think of many.

NFBisms said:

What makes ROTS worse for me is that it’s “good” mainly for events that would have happened regardless of the movie they were delivered in. And it all pretty much falls flat even with that advantage.

I never considered it that way. And yeah ROTS has only gone up in my estimation recently because I’ve realised the story ticks all the boxes of classical tragedy. Phenomenal premise but bad execution. VERY good point.

NeverarGreat said:

I wonder how much that has to do with being a beneficiary of the Clone Wars tv show, where it was largely able to resuscitate the characters and provide a more compelling war narrative than the movies.

I think that’s mostly it, but ROTS becoming a goldmine for Star Wars memes helps too.

Great thread to discuss it. I find it really interesting how ROTS has become more and more popular over the years, and I regularly see people acting like it’s hands-down the best Star Wars film. It’s such a contrast to even a few years ago.

I think most of it is down to a younger generation growing up with the prequels, and the nostalgia (and meme) factor means they overlook or just ignore the occasional moment of clunky dialogue and so on. ROTS being improved retroactively by The Clone Wars shouldn’t make any sense, but it does, because Anakin is a much more mature and likeable character now.

I’d assume all new replies would be people using “Hello there.” “General Kenobi, you are a bold one!” as a greeting.

Thanks guys!

yotsuya said:

TFA is over saturated, the whole movie.

Would love to hear how you think TROS measures up!

In this second shot the lightsabers are barely white anymore. It’s blue… all of it. Anyway, I digress.

I know I’ve been spamming this thread recently - sorry folks - but in case anyone missed it, ILM just realised a 17-minute documentary about the model work of The Razor Crest. It’s great and I’m glad practical effects are making a comeback.

https://youtu.be/8YuaIwVbEZo

dgraham414 said:

I still love TFA to this day

I had a blast watching TFA and went to see it several times, but retrospectively, story direction bad. It was something that successfully got people excited about ‘traditional’ Star Wars again, and I remember as many enthusiasts as critics. Back then it was the most controversial Star Wars movie. Before the dark times…

https://variety.com/2020/tv/features/emmys-2020-mandalorian-stunt-coordinator-ryan-watson-interview-1234735721/

About a minute-long read about the stunts if anyone’s interested.

Happy days. And I totally agree, it’s the same with most awards ceremonies. Stunt doubles and co-ordinators are the unsung heroes of the industry. (In this case, well done to Lateef Crowder, Brendan Wayne, and Ryan Watson)

Broom Kid said:

I have a hard time believing this won’t win best Music.

Considering I’ve been listening to almost nothing but The Mandalorian theme for the past 3 days, I must agree

Well deserved, in all categories

If Luke is appearing, I think it should probably be Sebastian Stan. Although you’d think there might be some report of his involvement if it was happening.

StarkillerAG said:

Also, the season 2 leakers suffered a big hit in credibility recently. Two weeks ago, they said that the trailer would feature a scene of Ahsoka fighting two bounty hunters, but that fight is nowhere to be found here. They also said that Sasha Banks would play Sabine, but she seems to be an original character here. Now I’m starting to doubt whether there really will be any animated characters returning in this season. It seems like we’re back to square one in terms of leaks, and that’s actually really exciting to me.

You must have the same sources I do. Kessel Run Transmissions now say that the new Ahsoka scene (shot only weeks ago) may not have been trailer footage, but it was definitely shot. I trust them on that one. It could be for some other form of marketing, or - although it’s very close to the season itself now, who knows - they may even be saving some reveals for a 2nd trailer, like there was with season 1?

Totally agreed. It’s been said before, while execution of the prequels isn’t always great, they have one hell of a story. I think TFA and TLJ are good films in their own right, but I don’t like the story direction. And TROS cemented my position as a legends fan.

There are also videos like this which take the opposite approach to show how instrumental the music is to Star Wars!

https://youtu.be/Tj-GZJhfBmI

Thanks BB-Rey, that’s a great video. It’s a pleasure to listen to John Williams music by itself, but along with the images it’s even better

StarkillerAG said:

I’m gonna assume you’re joking, because Ralph McQuarrie is not just “some guy”. I could devote an entire thread to some of the amazing art he has created for the original trilogy.

Yeah, I was pretending he was some obscure SW artist to make a shit joke. I love McQuarrie concept art.

Might have been posted already, but… ‘Splinter of the Mind’s Eye’, 1978 Acrylic painting by some guy called Ralph McQuarrie.

Broom Kid said:
People don’t talk a lot about Giacchino’s score for that movie but it’s really one of my favorites.

Hell yeah

My complete list, with one or two from every album.

TPM - ‘Queen Amidala and the Naboo Palace’ (contains Anakin’s theme and the arrival on Coruscant music)
AOTC - ‘Love Pledge and the Arena’, which also contains Across the Stars.
ROTS - John Williams really outdid himself with this soundtrack. I don’t want to choose, but maybe ‘Enter Lord Vader’ and ‘The Immolation Scene’

STAR WARS - ‘Inner City’ and ‘The Desert and the Robot Auction’
TESB - ‘The Battle in the Snow’ and ‘Lando’s Palace’. The other greatest SW soundtrack.
ROTJ - ‘Luke and Leia’ and ‘The Emperor’

Rogue One - ‘Your Father Would Be Proud’ and ‘Guardians of the Whills suite’
Solo - ‘Train Heist’

TCW - ‘The Clones’ and ‘Burying the Dead’
Rebels - ‘It’s Over Now’ and a handful of the unreleased s4 music.
TM - ‘The Mandalorian’ and ‘The Baby’

TFA - ‘Rey’s Theme’
TLJ - ‘The Rebellion is Reborn’ and ‘Peace and Purpose’
TROS - ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ and ‘A New Home’

And some watercolour Clone Wars artwork by Ksenia Zelentsova, or Lornakastuffs on Etsy if you guys wanna buy prints. I have.