THE FORCE WAS STRONG IN ANAHEIM, CA!
Article by Adam Mast
STAR WARS: EPISODE IX
Oh boy. Big STAR WARS news from D23 in Anaheim, CA today! News that makes me wish I was in attendance. First up, a massive director announcement. EPISODE XI will be directed by…
COLIN TREVORROW!!
I can’t say that I’m terribly surprised given the recent speculation and the fact that his JURASSIC WORLD grossed a gazillion dollars at the worldwide box-office this summer. It even toppled Disney/Marvel’s AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON.
As a STAR WARS fan, how do I feel about this choice? Well, quite frankly, I’m a little torn. I like Trevorrow a lot! He’s a hell of a cool guy and his little indie gem SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED was one of my favorite films of 2012. Having said that, going directly from that picture to a massive production like JURASSIC WORLD might not have been the best of ideas. I think a few moderately budgeted films under Trevorrow’s belt before hitting a big summer tent pole could have made all the difference in his growth as a filmmaker.
This isn’t to say I hated JURASSIC WORLD. I actually enjoyed a lot of it, but I’m shocked it made as much as it did and I don’t think it will stand the test of time like JURASSIC PARK has. On the other hand, JURASSIC WORLD was infinitely more entertaining than the first two JURASSIC PARK sequels so that’s saying something.
Trevorrow is clearly passionate about STAR WARS because, as is the case with JURASSIC PARK, it’s a property that he grew up on and cherished, but the announcement that he’ll be directing EPISODE IX simply didn’t give me the same level of excitement I felt when J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson were brought on board for THE FORCE AWAKENS and EPISODE VIII.
Deep down, I couldn’t help but hope that someone like Edgar Wright (wishful thinking I know…Especially given the turmoil that came with ANT-MAN) or Jon Favreau (IRON MAN, ELF, ZATHURA, and CHEF more than make up for the disappointment that was COWBOYS AND ALIENS) would have landed the gig.
Trevorrow now joins a STAR WARS directing family that includes George Lucas (A NEW HOPE, THE PHANTOM MENACE, ATTACK OF THE CLONES, REVENGE OF THE SITH) Irvin Kershner (THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK), Richard Marquand (RETURN OF THE JEDI), J.J. Abrams (THE FORCE AWAKENS), Rian Johnson (EPISODE VIII), Gareth Edwards (STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY: ROGUE ONE), Phil Lord & Christopher Miller (untitled STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY/Han Solo spinoff), John Korty (THE EWOK ADVENTURE), Jim Wheat & Ken Wheat (EWOKS: THE BATTLE FOR ENDOR), and last but certainly not least, Steve Bindor & David Acomba (THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL).
Lucasfilm has yet to name a replacement for a departing Josh Trank on a third STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY film (rumored to center around famed bounty hunter Boba Fett.) Perhaps that gig will go to Wright or Favreau. Or, perhaps it will go to an amazing female director like Kathryn Bigelow. How cool would that be?! One thing is certain: This new batch of STAR WARS films is following a welcome pattern set by the original trilogy, in that each installment will be directed by different filmmaker, and that’s exciting news for the artists behind these movies and those of us who will be fortunate enough to experience them in a theater.
As for Trevorrow, it seems that he has landed himself back to back dream jobs and I truly hope he knocks EPISODE IX out of the park!
STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY: ROGUE ONE
A cast photo from STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY: ROGUE ONE was dropped at D23 and it’s an absolute beaut!! What I find so striking about the image is how gritty it looks. Oil, and grime, and intensity on the faces of these all new STAR WARS characters.
STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY: ROGUE ONE is currently shooting with GODZILLA director Gareth Edwards at the helm. Edwards was on hand and in addition to showing some conceptual art, he also confirmed previous reports that were only rumor up until this point: ROGUE ONE will weave its tale around the heisting of the Death Star plans. It will not be an origin story of any kind nor will it deal directly with the Jedi. Gareth also went on to suggest that this will be a war film and deal with that grey area between heroes and villains.
Sounds bad ass if you ask me! STAR WARS ANTHOLOGY: ROGUE ONE will be released on December 16th, 2016.
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
In another awesome bit of STAR WARS news, it looks as if the great Drew Struzan is coming out of retirement yet again to design poster art for THE FORCE AWAKENS. Look at this gorgeous design! Here’s hoping Struzan is on board for all STAR WARS films to come because he’s as synonymous with the saga as John Williams. If you’re not familiar with this icon’s work, seek out the insightful 2013 documentary, DREW: THE MAN BEHIND THE POSTER from director Erik Sharkey.
STAR WARS-THEMED LANDS TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT DISNEY PARKS IN ANAHEIM AND ORLANDO
Lastly, and quite frankly, it blows my mind that this news wasn’t announced months ago. It looks like Star Tours isn’t going to be the only STAR WARS-inspired game in town because Disney theme parks in California and Florida will soon be home to breathtaking STAR WARS-themed lands!
What can we expect from the incredible creative geniuses at Disney and Lucasfilm? A whole lot of STAR WARS awesome, that’s what! Reportedly, there will be two main attractions: One in which visitors can climb aboard the Millennium Falcon and take off on a secret mission, and another (inspired by THE FORCE AWAKENS) that puts attendees in the middle of a battle between The New Order and The Resistance.
You can also expect a Cantinia dining spot and an opportunity to hang out with all your favorite STAR WARS characters in person. And this only scratches the surface! In short, you can darn well bet this is going to be a breathtaking venture.
What we don’t know at this point is when these STAR WARS-themed lands are going to open. With any luck, before EPISODE IX is released in 2019, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. This is going to be a massive undertaking but it’s something for STAR WARS fans to truly look forward to.
Disney and STAR WARS is like chocolate and peanut butter.
