What does Star Wars Episode 7 mean to you?

It means bringing Star Wars to a new generation not only of fans, but also an opportunity for new filmmakers that grew up and probably became filmmakers because they saw Star Wars when they were kids. This is a great era to be a Star Wars fan

 

I can't believe it! After the PT, I though StarWars was dead except for endlessly pumping out novels and comics and games. I was burnt out it and just didn't LOVE StarWars Like I did in the 80s/90s. I didn't really like the Prequels and assumed there would never be an Ep 7. (I actually thought that there would be a reboot in the next 10-15 years.) All that Disney stuff went down and they anounced the new movies. I was interested but still feeling the burn from the Prequels, and it seemed kinda like a money grab. But, man, I'm starting to get that old feeling of excitement about this new one, with all the news and the original actors and JJ. I hope they make a good movie, and I hope they blow everyone's expectations away.

 

Going back to the mid 80's, I always wanted the ST instead of the PT. Now I wanted the ST with a younger Luke, Leia, & Han, but this is the next best thing. The ST opens up so many story possibilities whereas the PT limited everything because we knew how it ends.

 

It means grief for the Star Wars that I grew up with is in the past and over but so is the disappointment of the PT. It means a second chance of capturing that simple spirit of good versus evil and fun and exciting adventure. Though at this point and given the zeitgeist of this age, I remain skeptical.

 

Frankly I have my reservations also, a great film isn't guaranteed even with a great director.
While enjoyed both Star Trek movies, I don't think JJ has made his masterpiece yet.
Let's hope he does his best on it, but one though gives me a peace of mind - it's going to be at least decent!!!

 

The rational part of me is skeptical. That part expects more disappointment, though not as shattering as Ep I-III. This part keeps warning me not to get too excited; reminds me of Indiana Jones IV, of all the unknown variables (Abrams, Disney's interest in serving great art before raking in the big bucks etc).

...and then there is that part of me who's really excited and hyped already, checking for news and rumors daily, wondering what will happen to the story, worrying about how the original actors will fare and dreaming up plot lines and characters all the time.

I call these two parts for Qui Gon Yin and Qui Gon Yang.

I know I must strike a balance for the best possible enjoyment in Dec 15, but Qui Gon Yang is getting louder by the day
..though now it's Qui Gon Yin speaking actually.

 

This is exactly how I feel, as the left side of my brain is fighting with the right side of my brain all during the lead up to Episode 7. The question I keep asking myself, What will be acceptable to us when the movie come out? If its better then the PT, but not as good as the OT, is that enough? If its ROTJ quality, but not ANH/ESB quality, is that enough? Is it even fair to ever expect another ANH/ESB quality movie?

I think the key to a SW movie is pacing, and ANH/ESB are edited perfectly which gives the movie great pacing. ROTJ & PT have pacing problems, where there are great moments in the movies, and then they come to a halt because of pacing issues. Then there are bad scenes that end up making the movie uneven.

For example, ROTJ's pacing problems are the Jabba sequence goes on too long and you are waiting for Sail Barge Fight to begin, and the Ewok village part goes on too long as you are just waiting for the Battle of Endor/Throne Room Scene, Death StarII Battle to begin. TPM has pacing problems during the Tatooine parts, while AOTC has pacing problems with Padme/Anakin love story parts, etc. You watch ESB, and there are no parts that you are waiting to finish to get to the next part as the whole movie is riveting.

 

For me, it's a chance to relive some very happy childhood memories, and hopefully build upon them.

For literally 30 years, I've perceived Stars Wars as being over. Yeah there was EU stuff, and it's all cool in it's own right. But it doesn't really compare to new MOVIES. Movies are the top level cannon, and they are what I love most. I had basically given up hope that there would ever be a good SW movie ever made that continued the story of Luke, Leia, Han, or the Millenium Falcon (yes it is a character). This is one last shot at seeing all that, and hopefully feeling the magic of E4 and/or E5 all over again.

The prequels just don't count for me. I'm not saying that they aren't cannon, they are. But what I mean is there was so little magic in those films. They felt stilted, and were a huge missed opportunity to take SW to a new level. E7 is a chance to undo the damage of the prequels.

As I said in another thread somewhere, Lucas needs to not be involved beyond consultant. One of the main problems with the prequels was that GL took every opportunity to push the technology envelope without considering it's impact on the film. Green screens, CGI aliens, shooting in digital, etc. It was all too much change to implement, while simultaneously maintaining that which made the originals so great. That's not happening here. E7 will be filmed on 35mm. It will have animatronics. It will have continuations of all characters we loved from original trilogy. And I have my fingers crossed that we'll see lots of new revelations regarding the Sith. The history of those force users has been neglected in both trilogies.

 

Absolutely agreed @Deadeye!

I couldn't agree more with you on every single point. I really enjoyed the way sith are portrayed in the Legacy Of The Force comics.
They're kind of old esoteric cult of space samurai or ninjas with their own belief system and monarch.

 

At the moment it is great to have picking an Avatar as my biggest worry (close to picking Greedo). So happy Abrams is taking us back to Tatooine and the original heroes are being honoured.

I must confess I didn't mind EI, but still need therapy for EII and EIII don't know.

I also thought I'd like to make a really impressive comment, but I'm just happy we're all hear talking about something that means fun for us all, I'm 40 and you know what? I don't care about if we get new fans, I'm just going to enjoy this time round like I did the last two. May even get my figures out for the first time in twenty years just to tease my wife that soon they'l be the talk of the town again...

Lets be happy and have faith in the Abrams era knowing that Lucas and old crew are all involved. I can't comment on JJ and Star Trek, I have honestly never watched any of it.

 

We're getting new fans all the time before the movie even comes out. My niece who just turned 7 asks me all the time when the movie is going to be ready -- she can't wait! LOL

From what Peter Mayhew and Bob Iger and Kevin Smith have said I expect this Episode to rock the movie world, and maybe even the planet, HARD!

 

Cool to meet you Echo-07!

I really think we will get a new generation in this time. My boys never got into EI to EIII. I am so happy there was a change of direction before production and old crew were brought back.

Yeah even my sons are pumped this time, so it's exciting.

Gives me allot of faith in what Abrams is doing.

 

It'll be a fun ride!

 

Great to meet you, too! Nice to meet all the new Star Wars fans joining our community. Remember, Star Wars is forever now and I hope to discuss everything SW with you all for years to come!

(swoop)

 

When I was younger not a kid though.... I seriously thought what if I die before they make them and I'd miss out what happened to Luke, Leia and Han.

 

An unexpected visit from an old friend I'd thought I'd never see again.

 

Purposefully wrote 2 replies as they don't have anything to do with one another. I am so excited I have been conversing with one of the 'new' Force Awakens cast on their official FB page. They actually told me May the Force Be with You today
Treading lightly on the questions so far but they did confirm a photo was not of them that a 'paparazzi' took.
To protect their privacy I have blanked out photos and name. We had a longer conversation...but it would make me write them all in seperate posts. This has me even more excited. Mainly keeping their name private so they don't get hundreds of emails and requests.