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Star Wars Episode VII Cast Announced

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I kind of both hate and love how Star Wars production is publicized. On one hand, they get me all hyped up. On the other hand, the pictures and the meetings seem so forced and inorganic. As if they're programming all the cast and crew meetings in a way that suits marketing executives, rather than in a way that promotes free discussion. Star Wars seems like a noose around their collective neck rather than a project that enables the kind of freedom and spirit that led to Episodes 4 and 5.

How can you say that when you are not there? Also, the picture posted was a table read. It's an industry standard to get the actors to say their lines around other cast members. It also allows for feedback from the director and other members of production. Also look at the docs for Episode IV. It was on a a crazy time schedule and not much freedom.
 
Its a throw away line...also it could be that force sensitive appear to "see things before they happen" but it isn't real precog...never seen any evidence of actual pre cognition in EU or original movies

Also jedi have visions of the future...but this isn't a moment to moment skill

Not really, Qui-Gon explained that because of that precognition Anakin was able to participate in Pod Racing, because he was able to see things before they happen and react to that, and that was also the reason he was the only human that was able to drive a pod racer on tatooine.
 
All of that emotion is meaningless, because they never actually established their relationship in the previous films or fleshed it out. The entire time they are at odds. Anakin doesn't even seem to like Obi Wan the majority of the time. Obi Wan only takes on Anakin out of obligation to his previous master.

So by the end this "emotional" fight really means nothing. No amount of shouting and aggressive dialogue about their falling out has any weight. Hell, they didn't even flesh out the characters on an individual level, so Anakin's fall really has no weight or impact at all on any level.

If Han Solo and Luke for some reason had gotten in a fight, it would have had the meaning Lucas desperately wanted to invest in Obi-Wan and Anakin. The difference, Han and Luke actually were characters, and had actually been in real, on screen adventures together ("that's two you owe me, junior), not just exposition back story adventures (remember when we fell in that nest of gundarks that was never shown on screen).
 
I love how they kept the main cast to unkown actors, very much in contrast to the prequels superstar cast.

the only thing they kept: a cute brunette (padme->leia->jaina) and a icon of classic cinema (cushing->guiness->lee->sydow)

furthermore, I am superhappy that fisher is in, I know hamill and ford were more or less inofficially confirmed, but there were rumors she had too many drug problems. were glad the made it, its great to have the old trio back.

to be honest, I am already extremely hyped, I cant wait to see the guys in costumes in the first pics from the sets.
 
Well....yeah. It's an even bigger corporate collective film than the MCU movies

Star Wars is now first and foremost a licensing franchise and i imagine they were looking over the writers backs to make sure everything was in line

But still I'm excited because of the cast and the composer. I don't care for Abrams and just hope he doesn't screw it up. But anything will be better than the prequels at this point

I sincerely hope Boyega isn't related to Lando though. The galaxy is huge. There can be more than a few black people
 
My issue isn't with the dislike of Maul being brought back. I accept that reasoning. It's tossing aside an entire series that gives you what you're asking for, for that reason.

Sure, it could've been done better, but everything else you ask for is done in Clone Wars, which is why I asked if you had seen it.

Oh sorry, you might be confused, I haven't said anything about Clone Wars actually. Sounds fine to me, it was another guy who was involved int he same dispute who said he wouldn't watch it because of the Maul stuff :)
 
If Han Solo and Luke for some reason had gotten in a fight, it would have had the meaning Lucas desperately wanted to invest in Obi-Wan and Anakin. The difference, Han and Luke actually were characters, and had actually been in real, on screen adventures together ("that's two you owe me, junior), not just exposition back story adventures (remember when we fell in that nest of gundarks that was never shown on screen).

Bingo. Honestly, there was zero reason to even have Ep 1 exist. We already knew that Anakin was a great fighter pilot, and a general during the Clone Wars. Could have easily started there with Anakin and Obi Wan's relationship, with Obi Wan picking up Anakins force abilites, but the Council being reluctant to have him train since he's too old. But eventually have to give in after a majority of the Jedi are wiped out after The Clone Wars begin.
 
I think a re-watch of the entire series in order in light of this good news.

I watched the original Empire on DVD (the 2006 release) recently, and it's really appalling how Lucas refused to restore the original, non-special edition prints. But you get used to it, I even started enjoying the film grain. :D
 
All of that emotion is meaningless, because they never actually established their relationship in the previous films or fleshed it out. The entire time they are at odds. Anakin doesn't even seem to like Obi Wan the majority of the time. Obi Wan only takes on Anakin out of obligation to his previous master.

So by the end this "emotional" fight really means nothing. No amount of shouting and aggressive dialogue about their falling out has any weight. Hell, they didn't even flesh out the characters on an individual level, so Anakin's fall really has no weight or impact at all on any level. So while PHYSICALLY this might convey more emotion than other fight sequences, I disagree that this is the most emotional fight in the series. Not even close.

Unless you are saying the physical aspect of a fight = 100% of the emotion. Just can't agree there. It's what the characters bring to the fight, and the implications of the fight that make it emotional.

It means nothing to you, that's clear. Since their relationship was clearly established on the previous films, I found that fight, especially that particular scene to be very emotional.
 
furthermore, I am superhappy that fisher is in, I know hamill and ford were more or less inofficially confirmed, but there were rumors she had too many drug problems. were glad the made it, its great to have the old trio back..

Fisher has been clean and sober for quite a long time. Check out her recent auto bio stand up special if you get the chance: "Wishful Drinking". Fuckin good stuff and pretty damn funny.
 
Towards the end of Attack, I remarked to my friend in the theater, "no wonder Anakin turns to the Dark Side, Obi-Wan is a jerk."

They never had any on screen chemistry or real friendship displayed.
 
Oh sorry, you might be confused, I haven't said anything about Clone Wars actually. Sounds fine to me, it was another guy who was involved int he same dispute who said he wouldn't watch it because of the Maul stuff :)
Oops, you're right. :) I have avatars off and this thread moves quickly, sorry about that.

You should still watch it! :)
 
It means nothing to you, that's clear. Since their relationship was clearly established on the previous films, I found that fight, especially that particular scene to be very emotional.

What really hurt the fight was the cuts to other scenes. Might have worked well in the slower paced OT but not the PT.... Also the "I have the high ground" and Anakins comical fall to the dark side didn't help either
 
Fisher has been clean and sober for quite a long time. Check out her recent auto bio stand up special if you get the chance: "Wishful Drinking". Fuckin good stuff and pretty damn funny.

Her appearance on 30 Rock still cracks me up.

giphy.gif
 
What really hurt the fight was the cuts to other scenes. Might have worked well in the slower paced OT but not the PT.... Also the "I have the high ground" and Anakins comical fall to the dark side didn't help either

Personally I liked the switch of scenes. It felt like the ultimate duel between the Dark/Light sides of the Force. I always wanted to see the Emperor kicking some ass. =D
 
Wow...starwars movies I can get excited about.

Well, I was excited about Phantom Menace, too, but left the theatre not knowing what the hell had just happened.
 
What are the leading theories as to how the Sith / Jedi became repopulated for the new trilogy?

Daisy looks as if she could be Han and Lea's daughter...but weren't the Sith extinct after Return of the Jedi?
 
But I thought that the original characters were supposed to be the leads in this first film and the supporting characters would come to the forefront in the subsequent films? So I assume he's really being set up for the lead in the next film then?

Original characters had their roles beefed up by JJ (it was one of the reasons Arndt got bounced) and there's word that Han Solo especially has a pretty big role in this one, but the young guys are still the leads.

Think Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek. He had a sizable role, but he wasn't one of the leads. That was still Chris Pine and Zach Quinto.
 
It means nothing to you, that's clear. Since their relationship was clearly established on the previous films, I found that fight, especially that particular scene to be very emotional.
Just out of curiosity, what specific scenes are you thinking of that show that Anakin and Obi Wan have a lasting friendship? The only one that I can think of is that elevator ride in Ep 2 where Obi Wan prattles on about their goofy adventures that we never even get to see. It's a clear case of telling that they're friends, not showing, which is a big no-no. And don't go with the Clone Wars TV show or anything because that absolutely should not be a prerequisite for watching a film.
 
What are the leading theories as to how the Sith / Jedi became repopulated for the new trilogy?

Daisy looks as if she could be Han and Lea's daughter...but weren't the Sith extinct after Return of the Jedi?

My guess is Luke is attempting to re-establish a Jedi Order.
 
And don't go with the Clone Wars TV show or anything because that absolutely should not be a prerequisite for watching a film.

Hell, even in the Clone Wars they don't do a great job of showing WHY these two are "friends."

Obi-Wan builds a better friendship with Asajj Ventress in that show than he does Anakin Skywalker.
 
What are the leading theories as to how the Sith / Jedi became repopulated for the new trilogy?

Daisy looks as if she could be Han and Lea's daughter...but weren't the Sith extinct after Return of the Jedi?

I don't think they will be repopulated, at least not by Ep7.

Luke will have spent decades looking for force-users and at last will have found one.
 
So looking at the casting, the lead boy and girl are British?

But aren't the British the imperials?

Does this mean that the imperials were actually the good guys all along and the rebels are the villains?
 
Just out of curiosity, what specific scenes are you thinking of that show that Anakin and Obi Wan have a lasting friendship? The only one that I can think of is that elevator ride in Ep 2 where Obi Wan prattles on about their goofy adventures that we never even get to see. It's a clear case of telling that they're friends, not showing, which is a big no-no. And don't go with the Clone Wars TV show or anything because that absolutely should not be a prerequisite for watching a film.

That's definitely one. Some of their conversations about Anakin being desperate to join the Council, and Obi-Wan warning him to be patient, while praising his talents. I loved such interactions.
 
I wonder what Chewie looks like in 2015, by special effects standards. Probably too risky to change the design too much, but I wonder how the current suit holds up on screen shot in ULTRA HD 4K 890 FPS or whatever.
 
That's definitely one. Some of their conversations about Anakin being desperate to join the Council, and Obi-Wan warning him to be patient, while praising his talents. I loved such interactions.
Awesome, that means that my screenplay where the two leads say, "Remember that time when we were friends?" "Yeah I remember that time" awkwardly on the first page of the script, and then yell at each other the rest of it will have a big emotional payoff when one kills the other!!
 
Simply put for those who think the Prequel duels are good.

No one is saying that none of them are well done and/or cool looking. At least the first one is.

The problem with those fight scenes is multiple issues.

First there is no emotional depth to any of those fights approaching anything close to even the fight in New Hope.

Secondly is the implausibility of the fights. I'm not talking about the fact that "normal" people couldn't fight like that. Force users have abilities normal people don't have.
The issue is that no fight could ever work like that. The best example is the Episode 1 fight. If you have ever watched a real sword fight it doesn't look like those involved are fighting. When you go too far in the fight choreography it starts to look like dancing. And why is that? Because like dancing those involved are working together to accomplish it. And how does that hurt fighting? Because when you fight you are probably not working together with the person you are fighting.

And lots of other problems.

Who cares about realism? I couldn't care any less about realism. Any complicated fight choreography can begin to look fake that doesn't mean that they have to be rudimentary like in the OT.

In terms of emotional depth I feel like watching the SWTOR intros had more emotional depth and weight to them than the PT. But that's just because the way some fights are cut there isn't much dialogue during actual battle.

No it wasn't and I'll stay thanks. I don't care if it tanks. You don't think theirs any creative potential at all for a star wars film with no lightsabres?

No not for a mainline entry in the series. That's like saying let's watch a Star Trek movie that takes place entirely on Earth.
 
LOTR had much better fight choreography than the prequels (or even the OT though you could argue that's because of the age of the series so that gets a pass)

Get Viggo da gawd in this trilogy. I recall the sword trainer (who was also involved in the Star Wars OT) saying mortensen was the best swordsman he's trained (for film)
 
No not for a mainline entry in the series. That's like saying let's watch a Star Trek movie that takes place entirely on Earth.

I dunno. I wouldn't mind if a single lightsaber never fired off if that meant we'd get two legitimately good dogfights.

You know. Wars. in the stars.

Star Fights.
 
Awesome, that means that my screenplay where the two leads say, "Remember that time when we were friends?" "Yeah I remember that time" awkwardly on the first page of the script, and then yell at each other the rest of it will have a big emotional payoff when one kills the other!!

You seem mad that I like something, for some reason.¯\_(ツ)_/¯
 
LOTR had much better fight choreography than the prequels (or even the OT though you could argue that's because of the age of the series so that gets a pass)
I think he prequels had impressive choreography, but with the horribly written characters, it was all style, no substance.
 
I'm having a stupid argument with a friend, but:

Are there Black people in the Star Wars extended universe besides Lando, Mace Windu, and the cab driver in the Phantom Menace? Any examples count.
 
No not for a mainline entry in the series. That's like saying let's watch a Star Trek movie that takes place entirely on Earth.

Maybe not but I think it would return the lightsabre to its 'cool' status if they hold off on using them for every fight/battle. Build it up at least.
 
Let me put it this way: the duel in The Princess Bride between Inigo and The Man in Black was choreographed, a very much "in control" fight. But the repartee and building tension of The Man in Black's chase, and Inigo's touching retelling of his quest, the honor involved, makes it supremely satisfying. The prequels had none of that.
 

Pretty insightful. Writing off the Empire's really evil acts (planetary annihilation is excusable now if there's a chance it's also a weapons cache?...) is a stretch, but the point about what happens to the galaxy after the Emperor is assassinated is a very good one, and something I hope we'll see some of in the new trilogy.

Oh, what are we going to call these ones, guys? We have the Original Trilogy, the Prequel Trilogy and... the New Trilogy? The Third Trilogy?... I don't know.
 
Awesome, that means that my screenplay where the two leads say, "Remember that time when we were friends?" "Yeah I remember that time" awkwardly on the first page of the script, and then yell at each other the rest of it will have a big emotional payoff when one kills the other!!

Red Letter Media's takedown of their "relationship" was great.

The whole "we were brothers" "you were supposed to be the chosen one" stuff in the RotS fight had SOME resonance, but only because of McGregor's delivery and the score. I never got the feeling of this close bond because Anakin was just basically annoying the shit out of Obi-Wan the whole time.
 
I'm having a stupid argument with a friend, but:

Are there Black people in the Star Wars extended universe besides Lando, Mace Windu, and the cab driver in the Phantom Menace? Any examples count.

darth vader has the voice of a black man
 
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