What do you think episode 8 should do, to make this into a strong trilogy?

Have a Massive First Order Victory.
I wish to see The First Order win Episode 8 and 9....that way its something new. After all their will be an Episode 10,11, and 12. So why not have those episodes be about the rebellion uprising against The First Order.
What do you guys think?

 

What should episode 8 do? Kill Luke. It would add a lot of weight and gravitas to the trilogy that the action comedy TFA was missing, and it would establish Snoke/Kylo as a threat that surpasses Palpatine/Vader.

 

For starters, not have a script that's a lazy rehash of A New Hope as well as being poorly thought out.

For instance, Kylo Ren went to Maz's castle to retrieve BB-8. Okay. Even though he has no idea where it is, his forces stupidly destroy the castle upon arrival. Later on, Kylo captures Rey after realizing she's seen the map for 10 seconds. How's she supposed to have memorized such a detailed map in a short amount of time? Anyway, rather than continue his search for BB-8, Kylo decides to pull out his forces. Surprise-surprise, this turns out to be a dumb idea.

 

I think EPVIII should do the following:

- More seriousness. The humor of TFA was great but sometimes also inappropriate.
- EPVIII has to focus on the development of the characters. Most of the characters were great represented, especially the character depth of Kylo Ren. I want to see more of that.
- More "world building". TFA felt "small", show something of the Republic/politics.
- The First Order should win the climax of EPVIII.

 

trevarrow already said that luke and leia play a big part in episode IX.. so that's not happening

 

TFA was meant to be the introduction of new characters to the big story now it's time to focus to the story itself. We know nothing of the plot yet.

 

Mark my words. Luke will die in VIII. 100%. I have my reasons, but come back to this post in a year and half and you'll see.

 

Personally, i don't think Luke has to die to add heft to the plot. I may have said this elsewhere but I've been suspecting that they might be treating this trilogy lie the PT in the sense that it shows the rise of the first order to galactic power the way the empire rose. Simultaneously, the resistance and new Jedi will grow. This could lead to the downfall of the first order in the next trilogy. In that way we could cross our fingers that Luke doesn't die until ep10.

But i agree, it's time to dig into the lovely characters and flesh out the plot potentials presented by force awakens. And with rian Johnson, i suspect that, along with some inverted expectations.

 

Here is my list:

- Don't lose the interest of the general public, more specifically kids and women that loved TFA. You want to have them onboard for the rest of the saga. Empire Strikes Back managed to do just that: while giving more depth to the characters and going in serious territory, it kept delivering some great humour, action and romance. By going way too dark, cryptic and cruel or just mind-puzzling, it may become a favorite for the fanboys, but a cold shower for the new generation of fans. Yes, it has to be a tragedy, but it can be fun to watch.

- It has to build on established characters...the main ones... Ben Solo, Poe, Rey & Finn. This has to come first and not to be diminished by more screen time from Luke Skywalker.

- I would leave all unnecessary cameos out of this movie (Sorry Lando, sorry Mon Mothma or others)

- As, I would not introduce another main character... maybe secondary characters (Del Toro, Dern),... but no new central characters

- It has to TOP ESB's cliffhanger, where people leaves the theatre with this feeling that the movie has no real conclusion... to make that 2 years wait just unbearable.

Minor things:

- John Williams has to give us something memorable and original
- They have to do something with some characters introduced in TFA: Maz, Phasma, Snoke, Hux. They can't just be fading away... well, still, there is Episode 9 that can be used for these characters.
- They have to keep BB-8 fresh with new gadget and fun... I have the feeling, he is bound to become this trilogy most memorable character and marketable toy.

 

TFA did exactly what it needed to do. It reintroduced us to the SW universe, brought in a new generation of fans, and introduced us to the characters that will carry the saga forward. We have now become invested in the new characters. VIII needs to carry that forward and really develop the new characters. Being the middle segment of the trilogy are new heroes need to be challenged and defeated, yet there needs to be hope that they can still be victorious in the end.

 

I think build on the new characters from TFA, add depth and a sense of urgency and make the audience leaving the theater begging to see both TFA again and Episode 9.

 

Action comedy where one of the main heroes of the OT dies at the hands of his Son? Or were you in the toilet when Han met his end? How can we add more weight than that? See Luke tied up and slowly tortured before being killed? Don't think Disney are going to want a lot of crying kids (and adults) leaving the Cinema.

 

Are we sure Disney will follow the trilogy format for the ongoing saga? Perhaps Ep. X will pick up right after ep. IX ends and they'll keep the story going without locking themselves in a trilogy format. To answer the OP's question, I'd say Leia has to die or get badly injured in Ep. VIII in order to have a younger character fill the void of her absence and struggle with the responsibilities of being one of the new leader of the Resistance. I would also like Luke to be more of a Qui-Gon Jinn type of Jedi, a wise leader, less passive, more prone to take action.

 

One new male Jedi
Maz, lando, leia, c3po
Del toro as new villain.
John Williams has to give us something memorable and original - Agreed

 

I loved The Force Awakens, but I can't help but feel that JJ Abrams played it safe, and frankly who can blame him. And I'm hoping it's a springboard to what's to come in Episode 8. So what should we hope to see?

- Development of the new characters, the focus should be moving on to them now. Give them depth, get the audience invested. I think Finn and Poe could be the new Han and Lando friendship in the new trilogy.
- Luke - I was disappointed that Luke appears in the last few seconds of the film, and doesn't say a word. But I hope we'll see more of him in Episode 8. And we'll see just how powerful a Jedi he's become, and why he went in to hiding. I wonder if it's not just due to the massacre a the academy?
- We see Snoke in the flesh, rather than via hologram. And we see him wield the Force in someway.
- A flash back scene with Han, Luke and Leia. Probably trying to talk Luke out of disappearing.

- No time travel!


I guess in short, I'd say remember who's directing this, so I reckon we'll all be surprised at what we end up with.

 

For me at least it should stay away from looking like another OT movie as much as it can and it should be a totally original story that doesn't try to mimic the other movies but has a bunch of cool new things to add to the SW universe.

 

Pick a theme a go with it for the Trilogy. The theme of the PT is the fear of loss/deceit, the theme of the OT is friendship/forgiveness. The ST can go any way it wants, but an overriding theme is what gives the movies depth.

 

I'm not sure I want Luke killed off, but I will say this: something absolutely should be done to cement Snoke as a truly formidable villain. Palpatine is an incredibly difficult act to follow, and if Snoke isn't given the weight his type of character demands going forward, I fear he'll end up being forgettable once all is said and done.