Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
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Star Wars Episode VII Cast Announced
- Thread starter Deadly Cyclone
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You could also start lining up.
Very nice! I was actually thinking about the Visual Dictionary, which referred to Luke's RotJ outfit as "traditional Jedi apparel." I didn't think it was cannon though. Nice to know it was confirmed from Hamil himself.
Because he got lazy. Uncle Owen wears the exact same outfit (and also Luke to a lesser extent) in ANH.
BlueDogAnchorite
Member
Man. Who knew Coruscant had 3 suns shining at it from all kinds of angles?
btw the reason most of Episode 2 looks like shoddy compositing is simple:
It was one of the first digital HD camcorder projects, they actually shot some material for action scenes on lossy HDCam tape which had super crappy compression. Imagine ILM trying to get good greenscreen keying results with basically heavily compressed 720p material and then on top of that there was the occasional: "This scene was lit and shot to emulate nighttime lighting, but can we now have Padme also stand at the window and have the scene at sunny daytime?"
I also remember McCallum talking about how cool it was to zoom into the image and choose a different framing after the image was shot. *sigh*
I think Lucas desperately lacked proper storyboarding and previs for the prequels. Like proper previs. EVERYTHING, not just action scenes.
In many regards Lucas was a bit too early with Episodes I-III. Digital HD format was not really there yet, the previs culture was non existent and CG reality was not fully at DAVY JONES/AVATAR levels yet.
You summed it up perfectly for me. I always felt Episode III was the best visually due to how good those advancements got in 2005.
Well, it could be something like
2004 Battlestar Galactica. Everyone in that series were humans with the same sort of customs/structures, but they predate modern humanity by like 250,000+ years
Perfect Cha0s
Member
Just watched the Ep III blu-ray earlier to see how the movie holds up, and the CG is pretty impressive, and really damn impressive for 2005. The CG actually holds up extremely well. Attack of the Clones, by comparison, looks... well, terrible.
Lucas is a fucking awful director.
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
Not even Serkis could make Jar Jar (or its descendants) good.
Warm Machine
Member
So A New Hope is badly directed? He made all the wrong choices with casting, sets, locations, script, the team and all? Amazing it ever got a sequel.
SolVanderlyn
Thanos acquires the fully powered Infinity Gauntlet in The Avengers: Infinity War, but loses when all the superheroes team up together to stop him.
He's bad because of his lack of humility, but his actual skill is pretty good, if not really good. A New Hope was a very well directed movie.
Basically, this minus the sarcasm.
I view it as a fluke that was only able to come about due to the time crunch.
Considering the prequels and ROTJ exist in their current forms, I disagree with that.
SolVanderlyn
Thanos acquires the fully powered Infinity Gauntlet in The Avengers: Infinity War, but loses when all the superheroes team up together to stop him.
His decision to replace Wookies with Ewoks and then further cute-ify the Ewoks from their original design is still extremely weird. I will give you that.
WyndhamPrice
Member
American Graffiti was a really good movie for its time but most people forget he ever made that (got lots of Oscar nominations too, including Picture, Director and Writer)
I think Lucas just got burned out in a major way on Star Wars and it affected everything about his process going forward. I sometimes wonder about the world where Lucas directed 3-4 movies between the OT and prequels instead of not sitting in that chair between 1977 and 1997.
I think Lucas just got burned out in a major way on Star Wars and it affected everything about his process going forward. I sometimes wonder about the world where Lucas directed 3-4 movies between the OT and prequels instead of not sitting in that chair between 1977 and 1997.
It gets explained a lot better in the official novel for Episode 3. By the time he figures out Palpatine has played him for a fool all he has left is Palpatine. He's killed the Jedi, Led to the death of the woman he loved etc. He's left crippled and a shell of the man he was before so resigns himself to the fact Palpatine is the only one left and accepts that fate as he is no longer powerful enough to deal with Palpatine himself.
When he does the Nooo and starts crushing droids etc. he is trying to kill Palpatine but he just doesn't have the power anymore
He's talking about right after Windu confrontation not when he's 'killed' Padme.
Warm Machine
Member
Go watch Logans Run and then watch A New Hope back to back. Feels like there is a decade of taste separating them when there was only one year. Like it or not George helmed a movie no one thought was going to be any good and made pretty well ever good choice you could.
There's also Red Tails, so yea it's not looking so good.
SeventhSon
Member
Young Lucas was hungry, creative, and growing in his craft. Then he became super mega wealthy after Star Wars, and didn't direct anything for 20 years. It's possible he could have become a truly great director and cinematic creative mind if he had continued to actually work after Star Wars hit it big.
Bobby Roberts
Banned
THX-1138, American Graffiti and Star Wars is a hell of a run. Lots of directors don't make 3 films that good, much less their FIRST 3 films.
Pop filmmaking was his downfall as a creative talent, essentially. He was at his best when he was allowed to be funky.
Pop filmmaking was his downfall as a creative talent, essentially. He was at his best when he was allowed to be funky.
Except, George didn't make every choice, and early cuts of the film prompted lukewarm responses.
Just read the production section on this page. If you feel more daring (or like annoying BobbyRoberts
), read this.Lucas benefited greatly from collaboration with people such as Paul Hirsch and his ex-wife, Marcia. Attributing everything good solely to George is simply inaccurate. That's not to say George doesn't deserve any credit, of course.
George had the ideas and framework, and he was the director, but other people helped put SW together. Hell, Ralph McQuarrie doesn't get nearly enough love. I'd argue it was more his imagination than Lucas' that set the visual tone for the OT.
SCULLIBUNDO
Banned
American Graffiti isn't even that good a film. It's more that there weren't really other films like it at the time. Dazed and Confused is American Graffiti with a director much more in touch with the subject he's tackling.
THX1138 and the first Star Wars are Lucas' deserving films.
THX1138 and the first Star Wars are Lucas' deserving films.
Except, George didn't make every choice, and early cuts of the film prompted lukewarm responses.
Just read the production section on this page. If you feel more daring (or like annoying BobbyRoberts
Lucas benefited greatly from collaboration with people such as Paul Hirsch and his ex-wife, Marcia. Attributing everything good solely to George is simply inaccurate. That's not to say George doesn't deserve any credit, of course.
George had the ideas and framework, and he was the director, but other people helped put SW together. Hell, Ralph McQuarrie doesn't get nearly enough love. I'd argue it was more his imagination than Lucas' that set the visual tone for the OT.
I'm quoting all this because people need to read those links and learn how much so many people contributed to Star Wars.
If we solely got what Lucas wanted, you can bet there would be no franchise.
Bobby Roberts
Banned
Whyyyy youuuuuuu...
Nah, there's a lot of good information in there - it's just presented kinda skewed. So long as you know that going in, it's all good.
I wouldn't say people SHOULDN'T read "Easy Riders, Raging Bulls," but I would make sure they knew it wasn't exactly all that journalistic, too
DiipuSurotu
Banned
I haven't read it but supposedly the first draft for Star Wars was a lot like the prequels.
SeventhSon
Member
Star Wars as we know it became great by the synthesis of many creative contributors. When Lucas became wealthy enough to completely have his way, Star Wars went downhill. You can see this with Jedi.
Ha thanks. The thing is, George was overstressed and overwhelmed during the production of A New Hope. Anyone would be. Many of the decisions that helped salvage the film were due to other people stepping in and saying, "Well, George, maybe this would work better instead..."
The phrase I've seen tossed around before is that SW is a "well-edited film". That is, it was salvaged in the late stages of editing. Stories about the Battle of Yavin lacking certain tension, for example, before input from Paul and Marcia improved the scene.
Whyyyy youuuuuuu...
Nah, there's a lot of good information in there - it's just presented kinda skewed. So long as you know that going in, it's all good.
I wouldn't say people SHOULDN'T read "Easy Riders, Raging Bulls," but I would make sure they knew it wasn't exactly all that journalistic, too
Yea, it's good to take in the info but maybe not consider it infallible. I think that writer at The Secret History of SW is pretty thorough with his research of the nature of the production, but it's ultimately his narrative in determining how critical Marcia's role was (among other things). I do mostly agree with his views, though.
At some point we all thought Lucas was a god who created anything and everything SW-related, but then we get older and learn to appreciate how much work from other people goes on behind the scenes. That's true for any film or artistic collaboration, I suppose.
brandonh83
Banned
Yes. I mean, what else are people supposed to talk about?
Except that Luke was a 65 year old man instead of a little kid, and he was accompanied by a cartoon frog instead of a cartoon rabbit.
Charles Foster Kane
Rosebud
That's like asking not to mention Raimi's Spiderman movies in an ASM thread.
Let's make more fan-fiction theories about this cast instead!
Sorry, I guess I'm just sort of tired of this "everything good about the OT movies was through collaboration" meme. As somebody who dabbles in film-making It's like nobody realizes this happens to nearly every great film (and yet we still largely attribute it to those directors on other films); it's just better documented with Star Wars because of its cultural status. It's not insightful, it just sounds like somebody regurgitating Plinkett's SW critiques.
(That being said, I give a shout-out to the Secret History of Star Wars book. Great read about the creative process.)
BlueDogAnchorite
Member
Let's make more fan-fiction theories about this cast instead!
Sorry, I guess I'm just sort of tired of this "everything good about the OT movies was through collaboration" meme. As somebody who dabbles in film-making It's like nobody realizes this happens to nearly every great film (and yet we still largely attribute it to those directors on other films); it's just better documented with Star Wars because of its cultural status. It's not insightful, it just sounds like somebody regurgitating Plinkett's SW critiques.
(That being said, I give a shout-out to the Secret History of Star Wars book. Great read about the creative process.)
I agree with you there.
Reading this, I suddenly pictured that guy as having a neckbeard and wearing a fedora, proudly proclaiming how he can't believe anyone would believe in that ancient Jedi religion. I'm deeply, deeply amused.
Also, My wife was reading the casting news yesterday and said, "They're not going to do something dumb like having Han Solo and Princess Leia be married with kids, are they?"
I just stared at her, dumbfounded.
brandonh83
Banned
Which is super fucking annoying all on its lonesome. I'm all for criticism and I have problems with the movies, but I think there's a difference between criticism and obsessive, repetitive negativity. I'd rather just focus on what's ahead. But people can talk about whatever they want. I just don't personally care for the politics behind the creation of the movies. I mean, I find it interesting to some extent, but not really for the purpose of further bashing.
Anyway, about to watch Attack the Block for obvious reasons. Plus I've heard it's pretty enjoyable.
I suppose these posts were directed at me so I'll take the bait.
Plinkett might have made some people interested in the production behind SW, but not everyone discussing it is basing their claims solely on those reviews. Some people were interested in and read about the films' production long before Plinkett came along.
It's not about determining whether Lucas was the best or worst thing. Clearly the series doesn't exist without him, but it's simply balancing out the idea that Lucas made every decision on the original films. Like you said this happens with other films, but SW is the one in which the discussion arises most because of the sheer popularity as well as direct link between that success and Lucas. I even said that the collaborative nature was true of any film or artistic endeavor.
Yikes. I did my best to write my post without any bashing or over the top negativity. I thought the poster to which I originally responded might be genuinely interested in reading more about the production. It wasn't intended as a "let's all bash Lucas" derailment.
Plinkett might have made some people interested in the production behind SW, but not everyone discussing it is basing their claims solely on those reviews. Some people were interested in and read about the films' production long before Plinkett came along.
It's not about determining whether Lucas was the best or worst thing. Clearly the series doesn't exist without him, but it's simply balancing out the idea that Lucas made every decision on the original films. Like you said this happens with other films, but SW is the one in which the discussion arises most because of the sheer popularity as well as direct link between that success and Lucas. I even said that the collaborative nature was true of any film or artistic endeavor.
Yikes. I did my best to write my post without any bashing or over the top negativity. I thought the poster to which I originally responded might be genuinely interested in reading more about the production. It wasn't intended as a "let's all bash Lucas" derailment.
I suppose these posts were directed at me so I'll take the bait.
Plinkett might have made some people interested in the production behind SW, but not everyone discussing it is basing their claims solely on those reviews. Some people were interested in and read about the films' production long before Plinkett came along.
It's not about determining whether Lucas was the best or worst thing. Clearly the series doesn't exist without him, but it's simply balancing out the idea that Lucas made every decision on the original films. Like you said it's true of any film, but SW is the one in which the discussion arises most because of the sheer popularity as well as success of Lucas. I even said that the collaborative nature was true of any film or artistic endeavor.
Yikes. I did my best to write my post without any bashing or over the top negativity. I thought the poster to which I originally responded might be genuinely interested in reading more about the production.
No worries, I wasn't really directing it at you; you did your research. I realize that not everybody is stealing from Plinkett, but the parroting of his talking points has become really prevalent in the last 4-5 years.
My rant was more a general thought I've had in regards to SW topics lately, where stories tend to strip Lucas of any agency/credit for his work on the OT (undeservedly), while attributing all crap to him for the prequels (deservedly). I apologize if you feel like you were singled out: you qualified your statements well enough.
EDIT: I'm also a crazy person who mostly enjoys the prequels. So feel free to give me crap.
I just watched Attack the Block last night. MOSES (Boyega) was the best thing about the film, but mostly because of his demeanor. I guess his character was the best thing about the film, but I'm feeling good about him being cast for VII.
I think VII could benefit from a MOSES-like character. In that, a quiet soft spoken teenager who is viscous on the surface but complex and mysterious underneath. There is a lot of room for character growth in someone like that, something that could .. you know, span a few films?
I think VII could benefit from a MOSES-like character. In that, a quiet soft spoken teenager who is viscous on the surface but complex and mysterious underneath. There is a lot of room for character growth in someone like that, something that could .. you know, span a few films?
Hah it's all good. I mean, I know you weren't ranting at me personally, but that my discussion might have spurred those thoughts (bad choice of words on my part, though I was trying to be a little facetious
). SW discussions can be cyclical, repetitive, and fruitless - I'll definitely agree there!I pick on George usually, especially for the prequels, but I'm still in the camp that he deserves a great deal of credit for the OT - just not all of it. Abrams wants to revive the love for the franchise and avoid some of the pitfalls of the prequels that largely get attributed to George's autonomy, accurately or not. Abrams and Kennedy are off to a great start so far, bringing the old and the new together, and their approach is really encouraging. I do agree that at some point we should focus on what's ahead rather than what's behind, though.
Xplatformer
Member
Nice John Boyega interview.
Yes...I'm tickled pink that John is possibly a lead in what may eventually be the largest revenue generating movie ever.
I know. Skin color shouldn't matter.
I've watched television and movies for over 40 years. My top 25 characters in a book, comic, film or tv show...none of them are black. Little things like a black man being a potential lead in a potential BILLION dollar revenue film...Star Wars...makes me happy.
Good job Disney.
Yes...I'm tickled pink that John is possibly a lead in what may eventually be the largest revenue generating movie ever.
I know. Skin color shouldn't matter.
I've watched television and movies for over 40 years. My top 25 characters in a book, comic, film or tv show...none of them are black. Little things like a black man being a potential lead in a potential BILLION dollar revenue film...Star Wars...makes me happy.
Good job Disney.
Jack Scofield
Member
Plus, you would imagine that Vader at some point would have displayed his Force powers before. It's not like he doesn't use them in front of others. Was that the General's first day on the job?
Bucket Mouse
Member
This thread moves pretty fast, so I have no idea if this has already been posted, but here's an interesting article that elucidates some of the casting process. Apparently it took place over 9 months and Dev Patel failed to win a part as recently as 3 weeks ago:
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-vii-cast-how-699964?mobile_redirect=false
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/star-wars-vii-cast-how-699964?mobile_redirect=false
MrGreencastle
Member
I like him. So he is supposed to be the lead? A jedi?
SolVanderlyn
Thanos acquires the fully powered Infinity Gauntlet in The Avengers: Infinity War, but loses when all the superheroes team up together to stop him.
You're not alone.I'm also a crazy person who mostly enjoys the prequels. So feel free to give me crap.
Yeah, skin color should be a non-issue as far as who to pick for a role and how well it's performed. But having a personal affinity towards a black lead is perfectly understandable. I'm sure a lot of people actually feel the same way. I haven't seen Attack the Block yet, but from the .gifs and wiki's summary, it seems like I probably should. I really hope he is a Jedi.
brandonh83
Banned
No no, not directed at you. Just a general sentiment.
So there is one more major female lead role to be cast then?
Please, be a woman of color.
SolVanderlyn
Thanos acquires the fully powered Infinity Gauntlet in The Avengers: Infinity War, but loses when all the superheroes team up together to stop him.
Mara Jade hype levels rising.
Inferno313
Banned
We don't know the roles for sure yet, but his name is listed first in the press release which indicates he's the lead.
The most common speculation and rumors suggest that he's Luke's Jedi apprentice.
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