ST JJ Abrams to direct Episode VII

I think you should watch his Star Trek, because it's basically a Star Wars movie. A good one IMO.

 

Maybe there'll eventually be a "What if" thread on what our various reactions would be/what would there be to bitch about had [insert name] gotten the job to further hammer that point...and if for no other reason than the entertainment value. I know that I didn't see Little Miss Sunshine being referred to as a chick flick, Toy Story being for babies, essays on why inclusion into the exclusive club of Trekkies requires such refinement and understanding of the human condition, or Michael Bay revered in such high regard coming at all. This thread has been so worth it just for the lulz.

 

Just look earlier in the director speculation thread when people were throwing all kinds of names out... there were people for and against every single person named.

 

Right on, but people still filtered themselves because it hadn't raped their childhood yet. Imagine the possibilities and amazement of what people will come up with. It's one thing to read "Nooo! Whedon will kill everyone we love!" but it's a whole other level of leaps in logic when it becomes something like "Noooo! Whedon directed an episode of Glee! Out of boredom during a writer's strike he decided to make and bankroll Dr. Horrible with his friends, 'Once More, With Feeling' had tap dancing demons. He's going to give Star Wars a case of the gays! Disney didn't buy Lucasfilm to get into the LBGT market, they bought it so they could be allowed in the little boy aisle in stores that you never see either little nor boy in! Goodbye, everyone, it's been a great 30+ years but me and SW are done."

 

Who cares about Affleck or Fincher or whoever? Abrams got the job. It's a done deal. Star Trek was 1000x better than the PT. Ep 7 is in great hands. It's on.

 

Kinda, except for Lucas and Kasdan, the other two haven't worked on a Star Wars project before, so nothing is a "slam dunk". Also Lucas and Kasdan are just "consultants", not "final say". There are a lot of "what ifs" here. If Abrams goes "Flare Trek Reboot Crazy", it's bad, but if he is just the man behind the camera and films it in a traditional Star Wars style, it may come out ok.

Forget all that ^^ though, I'm more worried about:

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Who's going to be in charge of CASTING?
Who's the new "Sound Designer"
Music Composer?

Obviously Director and Writer are pretty important (and not thrilled with these two), but a close third, forth and fifth are these guys ^^^. They have a LOT of influence in the final product.

 

Abrams will put his own spin on the story. I'm sure whatever scriptment or outline garbage Luca$ scribbled on his yellow note pad will be a distant memory by filming in 2014

 

Again this is all opinion based. I could barely sit through the new Star Trek. I'm a big PT fan. In the end Abrams got the job, but there is a large portion of "us" who don't think he is the right one for the job. He'll be under one hell of a microscope.

 

And in 2014 the roles will be reversed: you will be the Abrams defender, and we will be the Abrams haters. Just like currently we are the Lucas defenders, and you are the Lucas haters. The cycle will always continue...

 

Of course it's opinion based. And IMO the PT was a complete train wreck that almost destroyed the mythos and poignancy of the SW franchise we all love. Star Trek, while it can be faulted in part, was at least entertaining. Did you really enjoy that two headed announcer during the Little Orphan Ani's podrace? Were you really impressed with that character?

 

But why would you be an Abrams hater before the film is even released?? I don't hate Luca$. I just think his work product is terrible. If ep 7 stinks, go ahead and bash away. I am not an Abrams groupie. I just think he has demonstrated his skill in several franchises on big and small screen. And I thought Star Trek was an excellent example of same. In the first ten minutes it had more heart and emotion than all 3 PT films combined.

 

Casting: Probably April Webster and/or Alyssa Weisberg (It's going to be Bad Robot people not Lucasfilm given the traditional relationship between directors and casting directors)
Sound Designer: Probably and hopefully Ben Burtt still, since this is all Skywalker Sound.
Composer: Johnny can probably be talked into coming out of retirement again. I'm pretty sure JJ recognizes that Michael Giacchino won't merit "SW style" despite his talents. Music's one of those places where composers don't and won't like compromising their own style to fit someone else's, unless your name is Ottman. And I'm sure JJ also recognizes that brand and identity of SW is just as much George Lucas as it is John Williams. He's not going to screw around with that.

 

At this point, any further complaining about Abrams is pointless gum-flapping. Praise, condemn, love, hate, smile, frown, laugh, cry - it doesn't matter. The bottom line is you'll all be there on opening day, and so will I.

 

Preferably freshly bathed!

 

Jeez people. Stop about the crazy reboot nonsense. It's called EPISODE 7 for a reason. It's after Episode 6. We know they are about to continue with the Skywalker family. They aren't going to mess with time travel.

 

This movie is going to be spectacular if there's moments like this. Just a few. I think people forgot how INCREDIBLE J.J.Abram's space battles are, and with Arndt's screenplay? I don't see how this movie can go wrong!

 

Starting from the Special Edition re-releases up until EP3, I was the FIRST one in line at my local theater. However I'm not so sure I will be there opening day. I was on a SW high in August coming back from Star Wars Celebration 6. The news of the Disney buyout was devastating. At that time I didn't know if I was going to be there opening day. I decided to "wait and see". They announced Arndt. Pretty neutral, not happy or sad. Not familiar with his work. They announced that Lucas was going to be "consulting". My optimism meter went up. Then the rumors of Jon Favreau, Matthew Vaughn or David Fincher possibly directing gave me more hope! Then got dream crushed when I heard it was Abrams.

Can you really say you'll be there day one if they cast Robert Pattinson and Daniel Radcliffe as the lead actors? What if the story is bad? We have no clue what it is about. There is a LOT that can go wrong between now and the release date. I'm trying to stay optimistic, but Disney isn't giving much to work with. You say Ben Burtt is coming back? And John Williams? And Hamill, Ford and Carrie? Maybe a little Thrawn played by a good actor? Then I may pitch my tent in front of the theater. But until then, nothing is showing me a reason to go out on opening day to see another crap summer block buster..

 

Sadly the only thing I notice is the the tremendous overuse of "lens flare" I tried counting but lost track. I'm not even sure why he even put them in there?! The space battles themselves aren't bad. However the internal odd camera angles and panning don't seem to fit a "Star Wars" movie. Plot-wise the "birth" scene detracts from the battles. Too much going on. I feel like I need a couple of energy drinks just to follow what's going on. But I will give it to you, the exterior space battles are cool. Maybe jump around a little less and stay "in space more".

 

Damn, to each their own I guess. I think this scene was incredible and the pacing was great, the only flaw being that its impossible to have a baby that quickly lol. I forgot I'm on a star wars fan site, so people will be biased even down to the cinematography style. I think them choosing JJ Abrams means they recognize they need to inject a new feel into the franchise. Who cares if the Cinematography style (including lens flares) is different, its not bad unless you try to make it seem bad. The style may not fit an older star wars movie, but obviously this new one will have a different style while trying to keep the feel of the originals.

 

Finally we can shut the skeptics up who said this was all a hoax!!! I got so tired of reading that all day yesterday that this was a hoax. As I presumed, it's official.

 

Interesting. Kind of feels like your mum marrying Brad Pitt.

Awesome guy. Very talented.

But he's not your dad.

UKS

 

I'm sorry, but that's how I feel.

 

He might be a Trekkie, so to speak, but his first Star Trek movie had a definite "Star Wars" feel to it. I just hope that he does not opt for the handheld shaky camera thing.

 

Actually, yes. Believe it or not there are people that actually liked the prequels.

It's time to look forward. A solid team, at least on paper, is getting together. So far, unless you dislike Abrams, there is reason for optimism. Will the sequels be better than the prequels? I hope so, but I liked the prequels so this is all gravy to me.