Breaking News: Disney Purchases Lucasfilm, Episode 7 Due in 2015!

Did anybody else think that headline was a joke?  When I heard this bit of news, that was what I thought immediately.  Wait, is it April Fool's Day?  Like when they told us that the Holiday Special was coming to blu ray?  Or that the entire EU was comprised of clones?  Nope, further investigation seems to tell me that this is very, very real:

https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/blog/disney-acquire-lucasfilm

I would love to hear some opinions here.  For me, I'm not sure what to think just yet.  If you told me I wouldn't be practically screaming with joy over talk of a new Star Wars movie, I'd have laughed at you.  Yet what I'm feeling is much more like cautious dread than thrilled excitement.  Maybe it's because almost everything new they've done with Star Wars since I was in preschool turned out to be... less than stellar.  I don't remember when exactly they announced the prequel trilogy, but I do know it was somewhere in my late teens and at the time I had high hopes for some of the coolest new movies ever.  I think we can all relate to the sinking feeling in our stomachs when we actually saw the movies and felt the painful disappointment.  Maybe I'm just afraid to get my hopes up at the risk of feeling that again.  If I expect it to suck, and I go see it (which I will, no matter what it is, because I'm a sucker) and it turns out to be not the worst thing ever, maybe I'll feel better.

If you didn't look at the article, it already promises us Episode 7 for 2015.  There are no details about what time frame it would cover and obviously this leaves a ton of room for a lot of different options.  Would it be the characters we know and love?  Would it abolish the EU as we know it?  Would it skip forward far enough in time that we wouldn't recognize anyone and it wouldn't conflict with so much that has already been written?  Would they actually have the audacity to recast new people in such established roles?  What would be the main conflict?  So many questions!!!  So many possibilities!!!  And why instead of seeing it as so many opportunities for awesomeness am I seeing it as so many opportunities for things to go wrong?

What would I even want to see?  Probably part of my skepticism and lack of enthusiasm stems from the fact that if I thought up my ideal scenario for an Episode 7, it would probably be the least likely option.  That is, of course, a live action film that includes Han, Leia and Luke.  But the actors are old, and we can all probably agree that Harrison would never do it (maybe those reports I heard randomly of him having turned down $40 million for another Star Wars movie actually were true, I absolutely did not believe that) and I just don't see it happening.  I don't even know who they'd be fighting against. 

One possibility to combat the whole age thing, is CGI.  This is actually something I'd thought of before, when only in my wildest dreams did I think that they would ever make an Episode 7.  Actually, if you'd asked me up until like an hour ago when I became aware of this, I'd have probably bet all of my money on this kind of thing never, ever happening.  I've been wrong before.  Anyway, my thought was that the only way I'd accept an Episode 7 at this point would be if they just went ahead and made it entirely CGI, or basically a cartoon.  Like, let's stop pretending we're trying to even make it look like reality and even animate the actors.  Which would mean that they could somewhat realistically animate Han, Leia and Luke and make them younger and let the actors voice the parts.  I mean, how could he not at least voice the character?  It's millions of dollars for very little work!  Anyway, that, I think, might possibly work.  I doubt that's what they'll be doing, but it would be great if they did.

Basically the only thing that makes sense is jumping way, way in the future and showing us characters we've never seen before, though possbily descendants of our beloved heroes.  Maybe they can somehow give us some proof of Han and Leia having been happily married for 75 years before dying in each others arms of extreme old age.  It could happen, right?  There are just so many directions to go with this, I don't even know where to start.  And I hate that my head instantly goes to the thought of them ruining everything rather than actually making an awesome new movie.  Have I really become that cynical?

As for Disney's involvement, I don't know how I feel about that, either.  Listen, I enjoy Disney World.  This makes me nervous, though.  Although someone pointed out to me that Disney bought Marvel and that hasn't proven to be a bad thing.  Disney also bought the Muppets and their new movie was the best one they've put out since Jim Henson died.  And really, how could Disney wreck Star Wars any more than Lucas himself already did? 

AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!  I don't know what to think!!!

The Other EU: Guest Review of "Jawas of Doom" #81 from the Original Marvel Series

This review was submitted by Elivagar.  Thanks for taking the time to do it!

SPOILERS! This is more of a play-by-play than anything, so if you want to be surprised while reading this particular comic for yourself, skip it.

I present to you, JAWAS OF DOOM! Marvel Star Wars #81

It's the morning after the Battle of Endor and instead of luxuriating in the warm embrace of his lover, Han is arguing with some pilot about money. Han was looking to score a loan from this guy, but apparently still owes him from back on Hoth, so Mr. Pilot isn't exactly jumping to hand out anymore cash. Han attempts to sway him with excuses and bragging, but the pilot has heard enough and takes off.

 

Suddenly, Leia is at Han's side and she's in a pretty good mood...for now. 

 

He goes on to tell her about his money problems. Leia generously offers to lend him credits because she's loaded but Han clearly has some deeper issues and refuses her help. He storms off yelling, "I always made it on my own and I intend to now. I don't belong to anything!" Sheesh, Han. Save it for COPL. All the while, Chewbacca is napping with some Ewoks.

Lando, Wedge, and Luke are recounting the events of last night and notice Han and Leia's little altercation. Of course, big brother Luke asks if everything is okay. Leia excuses Han's behavior, telling him that things have happened so fast for him and that he just needs some time.



Meanwhile, Han is trudging through the forest still pouting when he comes across the Millennium Falcon. Instantly, his mood is brightened. Good thing he hasn't noticed the missing sensor dish. He checks out the inside of the ship and notes that the pair of dice are still hanging in the cockpit (which I've only ever noticed in A New Hope). Chewie finds Han still feeling sorry for himself and gives him a big hug. Aww.

We cut to some time later, and Han has realized he has a stash of money waiting for him on Tatooine. Usually, it's never a good idea to visit Tatooine, but since Jabba and Boba are both dead, his figures it's a good time to go pick it up. He brings Leia and Artoo along with him, insisting that the only reason he brought them along was because Chewie wanted to hang with the Ewoks and Threepio is the only one who speaks Ewokese. Leia doesn't buy it and knows it's totally because he's hoping for some good stuff.


We are shown a series of panels informing us that Boba Fett has in fact been burped up by the Sarlacc. Some Jawas find him, thinking that he's either a droid or a cyborg. At least, that's what some protocol droid tells them. Boba is thrown in the back of a sandcrawler, but oh no, some Sand People are hot on their trail.

Back on the Falcon, Han is arguing with someone named Garrick about landing in Mos Eisley, since, well, Han sort of just blasted out of there last time. Leia interjects, offering some clearance code she has. See Han, she's always got you covered. Just accept it. Leia points out that doing things the nice way gets results, but Han lets her know that beating someone's ass would be more satisfying.

So they're off to get Han's credits while Artoo stays behind to recharge. Leia waits outside the office when some cloaked, green guy asks her if she's "working". So either he thought she was a prostitute or a drug dealer, as he mentions that there isn't much of...that...going on since Jabba's been dead. She's pretty quick to inform him that she's just waiting for her friend. Then they start discussing Jawas and crime rates.

Inside, Han is once again arguing, this time with the man-woman (I can't decide what it is exactly) at the desk about his money. His account was frozen because he was frozen, and since he isn't frozen now, he can't possibly be the same customer. He'll have to take it up with a computer. Han isn't okay with this so in typical Han style, he storms off to get himself a drink, Leia chasing after him. He's hesitant to let her follow him into the Cantina, but Leia will do what Leia wants.

They share a tender little moment, but it seems that Threepio has ruined her for life, as she now thinks about droids any time she's about to kiss Han.



Who'd have thought it wouldn't be a good idea to leave your droid alone in a spaceport on Tatooine? Artoo is now missing, so Han and Leia go looking for him. They find that Garrick guy from earlier working on some speeders and ask him if they've seen anything suspicious. He claims to mind his own business and reminds Han that it is every man for himself around here. Han kicks him in the face and hijacks the speeders along with Leia, following the tracks of a sandcrawler. Oh yeah.

Inside the sandcrawler, Artoo runs into Boba Fett, somehow remembering who Boba was even though I'm pretty sure they were never in the same room together. Han and Leia arrive and start flying around, shooting at the sandcrawler to get the Jawas to stop. Of course they don't, they just start shooting back.

In all of the action, Leia's speeder gets shot down, but Han is oblivious while she eats dirt. The Sand People from earlier? They've caught up with them, and they're laying down massive fire on the sandcrawler, but Han still thinks it's Leia blasting them.

He makes his way up top the sandcrawler, and falls into the open hatch, coming face to face with Boba. Unfortunately, in Han's clumsy maneuvering to the top, he crashed his speeder into the treads of the Sandcrawler, and what do you know, it's heading straight for the Sarlacc Pit. But no one is steering.

Now Han and Boba need to team up to get out of there. Boba must have been smacked on the head just right because he has no idea who Han is. That is, until Leia opens her big mouth. But for the time being, he is compliant. This is the first time I've ever seen the word "Hallelujah" used anywhere in the Star Wars universe. Han gets out with Artoo, and being the good guy he is, is about to save nasty ol' Boba. Leia yelps Han's name just the right amount of times for Boba to remember, and then turns on Han. Can't say he didn't try.

In an ironic conclusion, Boba ends up right back in the Sarlacc along with the sandcrawler. I almost feel bad for him. He was only free maybe a few hours.



So Han, Leia, and Artoo walk off the sunset. And then they are massacred by Sand People.

Just kidding. But seriously, I wouldn't be wandering the Tatooine desert at night. I suppose they have no choice.

Apart from Han's irrational actions and balled up fists, it's a fun read. You get to see Han and Leia together and there are couple of nice moments. The art is decent, nothing jarring at least. For about 4 bucks, it's a nice addition to a collection.

Please Tell Me One of You Can Attend This Event...

... because I live nowhere near here and can't.  Anyone see this?

http://brea.improv.com/show.cfm?id=190764

Yeah, this looks awesome and also gives the impression that it is a one weekend event, not like Wishful Drinking where she will be cruising the country putting on shows for years.  So please, please someone go and report back to the rest of us and find a way to participate and ask the kinds of questions you know we all want to ask!  The tickets are amazingly cheap, too!

Happy Star Wars Reads Day!

One of these days I'll get to write a post that doesn't have to start with yet another apology for lack of blogging.  You know when you fall out of the habit with something it's always harder to get back into it?  That and I'm not getting much help, and other things have been busy.  I do hope that it doesn't stay this way.

It had just come to my attention that today is Star Wars Reads Day.  So apparently you need to get out your Star Wars books and do a bit of reading in honor of it.  I'll admit that I haven't done much reading myself lately.  Definitely not those EU books I still owe you a bunch of reviews for.  I promise that project is not abandoned, especially since we've left off on one of my favorite EU books and I certainly feel it deserves a review. 

Just this past week we had an interesting book hitting store shelves: "The Essential Reader's Companion" which outlines basically all (or at least the vast majority) of the books in the Star Wars EU.  Of course this will include lots of prequel stuff as well, but the books we know and love are also there.  I have not yet had a chance to check it out and I'm not sure if I'll be buying it.  I was hoping to get a chance to run to the book store to at least flip through it but there is some decent new art work in there that might be worthwhile.  Anyone here get a copy?

In other book news, I've just learned that "Scoundrels" has been pushed to January 1st rather than the original December 26th date.  Honestly, that date doesn't mean much to me because December 26th seems like a stupid date to release a book anyway.  Why not before Christmas?  I'm sure they have their reasons.  Sure, and they had their reasons for killing off two thirds of the Solo kids, too...

One thing I will admit to having read recently was the second book in Alex Wheeler's young readers' series, "Hostage."  It is the second book of six in the Rebel Force series.  Yes, these books are written for children and at least according to my driver's license I'm an adult woman, even if I'm not yet old enough to be president.  I learned of this series a few years ago from another Han and Leia fan who had mentioned having gotten them for their kids (I wish I had that excuse) and wound up reading and enjoying them, so since they are cheap, I decided to check them out. 

If you want something new to read, and you're not embarrassed at the idea of technically reading children's books, I'd recommend picking these up.  Honestly there's not a huge difference here between these and a regular adult Star Wars novel, obviously barring the few that contain graphic violence or sexual overtones.  The language used is a bit simpler and the chapters and books themselves are a lot shorter, but they're still pretty enjoyable.  The stories take place after ANH and long before ESB and there are some good Han and Leia moments.  In the one I most recently read Han takes her back to the remains of Alderaan.  It's nice to see them addressing some of these things.  So if you're bored and want something quick to read, grab these books.  You can read them cover to cover in probably ninety minutes.

Other than that, anyone reading anything lately?  Are you interested in trying to start up the EU book club again?  I'll be pretty busy for at least a couple more weeks but would be open to getting back into it hopefully after that.  It will be winter, after all.  And I'm embarrassed at the fact that over the past four months we've had as many posts as we used to have in just one, and I don't like that!  I'm not making any promises, but I'm going to try to be better.  And as always, if you have anything you want to post here whether it be a story or a general guest post about whatever is on your mind, don't hesitate to ask!