The Rules of good Star Wars

It is a very exciting time to be a Star Wars fan, with all the films, games, comics, novels, and television to consume. Yet I also sense an undercurrent of trepidation as this universe is about to explode and many little corners of the Star Wars universe are about to be lifted from the shroud of mystery.

Will they get it right? Will it still feel like Star Wars? Are there absolute rules that must not be broken in order to maintain that feeling? And most importantly, how much are Star Wars fans in agreement about what those rules are?

This has all gotten me thinking about something that I'm sure the story group at Lucasfilm is on top of. Somewhere they have a comprehensive document that lists the absolute rules and guidelines of Star Wars.

Until I get myself a job at Lucasfilm and see that document myself, I'm stuck just speculating.

I've broken the following into 2 categories:

-Rules for Star Wars Films: These are simply the established rules that have not been broken in the first 6 Star Wars films.

-Suggestions: A rule that when applied has made for the best of the Star Wars films.


RULES FOR STAR WARS FILMS

TAKES PLACE A LONG TIME AGO IN THE SAME GALAXY FAR FAR AWAY.
This Universe, despite an easter egg cameo by E.T., does not crossover with our galaxy or any others.

NO TIME TRAVEL

NO INTER-DIMENSIONAL TRAVEL

CLASSICAL AND EPIC MUSICAL SCORE – We know John Williams won’t be doing the score for the first Anthology film, Rogue One, but I hope regardless of the composer they don’t move away from the one thing that has been consistently fantastic throughout all 6 Star Wars films.

AT LEAST ONE BATTLE, SPACE OR LAND

AT LEAST ONE LIGHTSABER DUEL

NEW ICONIC VILLAINS – Vader, Bobba Fett, Jabba and The Emperor, Darth Maul, Darth Tyranus, General Grievous.

NEW WORLDS

STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND - Every film with the exception of ROTS, has a character encountering a world that they clearly have never been to and encountering the “natives” in some new way. You could argue Obi Wan on Utapau, but it doesn’t quite measure up.

MONSTERS – Every film contains at least one Monster sequence, some more. The only exception is ROTS, though Anakin killing younglings was monstrous enough, and he is Franenstein’s Monster by the end. Every other film had some primal beast attacking our heroes.

NO FLASHBACKS - I know these are rumored for TFA, I personally hope it isn't the case. See A RICH AND MYSTERIOUS BACK STORY below for why. While I trust JJ and Lucasfim knows and understands what makes a Star Wars film work and may see a flashback or two as necessary, it is a film making device that no Star Wars film has deemed necessary so far, and I can't think of a single place in any of the 6 films so far that would have benefited from one.

LINEAR STORY - I love non-linear films. But Star Wars is an adventure tale, a journey, and journey's are best told from beginning to end. Leave the non-linear to the comics or television. With that said, the films themselves can be released in a non-linear fashion. Episodes 4-6 came before 1-3 after all. So I wouldn't mind the Trilogy that follows the ST to be Episodes 13-15, with a later trilogy to fill in the timeline of Episodes 10-12. Or for an anthology sequel to prequel itself. Rogue Zero anyone?

THE FORCE - Obviously The Force has been a staple of all the films. And it seems that Rogue One will be trying to tell it's story with out any Force using. Perhaps this should only be a rule for the Episodic films. Though I would argue that any Star Wars film that actively avoids any force using by it's characters is still acknowledging The Force in their approach. Perhaps even furthering that theme by containing a character who IS Force sensitive but actively suppresses it in order to remain undetected.

AN UNDERWORLD OF THE OUTER RIM – A society that exists strongly outside of direct loyalty to any governing faction. Tatooine , a Cantina full of scum and villainy, Bespin Bounty Hunters, Jabba’s Palace, Kamino, and Utapau. Lupita Nyong’o’s Maz Kanata and her Pirate underworld promise us TFA will keep this rule intact.

SUGGESTIONS: A rule that when applied has made for the best of the Star Wars films.

DROIDS, WITH ANTHROPOMORPHIC PERSONALITIES - I consider myself a Prequel defender, but I have to point out one of it's big flaws. The Battle Droids were the only Trade Federation/Separatist Droids with anything close to a personality, it didn't quite bother me much, but I see the argument against their silly demeanor and voice. Though their programmed style did compliment the obedience of the Clone Army. But the Super Battle Droids and Droidekas were just robots, and there was more personality in that little Toaster Droid that Chewbacca scares on the Death Star.

A RICH AND MYSTERIOUS BACK Story -
I've always argued that one of the biggest assets that the OT had that the PT didn't was it's mysterious back story. ANH introduced big ideas in small ways without a lot of over explanation. The Clone Wars, the unseen Senate and Emperor, Luke's father, Jabba and Han's history, Leia's role as a "diplomat" and Rebellion leader, and Obi-Wan's death.
ESB introduced Yoda, Boba Fett, Lando and Han's history, and by revealing Vader as Luke's father, added more mystery. ROTJ tied a few of these things up, revealing Jabba and The Emperor, confirming Vader was Luke's father and making the world much smaller but also interesting by revealing Leia as Luke's twin sister. The PT revealed the mysteries behind a lot of that back story, to varying effect. I personally love Boba Fett's origin story, the Clone Army. But unfortunately IMHO the revealed mysteries to things that I never cared to know. Did it make any difference to know that Anakin built C3PO, or that Yoda knew Chewbacca?

A CYNIC –My favorite Star Wars character is Luke, he is THE hero. Everyone likes Luke, if people really hated that whiner as much as they say, they simply wouldn’t like Star Wars. But Han Solo is the MVP. His cynicism is what made Luke’s earnestness work. Without him questioning all this Force mumbo-jumbo, and simply being on his own self preserving mission until after Jabba is dead in ROTJ, the OT wouldn’t quite be the same. It would be the prequels. Again, I’m not trying to bash the prequels, but it was filled with almost no one but true believers. Everyone was loyal to a certain cause without much hesitation. Whether it was blind belief in the Jedi, the Sith, the Republic, The Separatists, or in Democracy, very few characters displayed a relatable selfish impulse. The only one who came close to being a cynic in the PT was Jango Fett, but even his loyalty was to Tyranus and the Separatists in the end. I hope Poe Dameron can fulfill this in some way, despite him being a Resistance Pilot.

These were merely a few. I want to know what other fans think.

What are the rules of Star Wars films?

Which rules can or should be broken by an Anthology film?

Which rules would you like to see broken?

And most importantly, where am I wrong?