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Wizard of OZ influence?

Discussion in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' started by Nijuni, Sep 2, 2015.

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  1. Nijuni

    Nijuni Clone

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    Hey, Star Wars fans! This is an idea I've had some time ago after reading the MSW script, and I thought sharing it with you. This is just a theory, but based on a few rumors.

    I've read here and there the idea that Finn could begin the story as some kind of a coward. MSW describes him at not very good with fights, and constantly needing Rey's help. It's somehow coherent with what we see of him in the teasers, always on the run but not very active. Except with the lightsaber scene in the snowy forest, but if this scene happens at the end, we can easily imagine it being part of his character development, to become more fight-y.

    So, it made me think about something...

    Star Wars always took inspiration in fantasy or SF stories, especially movies. If Rey is indeed the main character of the new trilogy, it would be logic for the writers to take some influence from The Wizard of Oz, which is, at least in America, the most famous coming-of-age story with a female lead.

    And if Finn is indeed some kind of coward, then I think the movie could take huge inspiration from The Wizard for its characters.

    Rey would be Dorothy: our main focus in the story. She begins in Kansas/Jakku with her uncle/Vicar, but something happens and she has to leave and start her journey ("you're not on Jakku anymore"). She's always followed by her dog/droid Toto/BB-8.

    During her adventure, she would find unexpected allies:
    Finn/the cowardly lion. Beginning his story as a doubtful and somehow coward boy, but finding himself to be the braver one of the group.
    I'd see Poe as the brainless scarecrow. Beginning as a cocky, superficial pilot, but proving himself to be very wise and clever.
    The Tin Woodman could be anyone (C-3PO? Han? Chewie? Kylo Ren?), or maybe a new character introduced in the sequels? It has to be someone beginning as a heartless person, but finding emotions in the end (maybe it is Poe, and the brainless scarecrow is someone else).

    All the story would revolve around our heroes searching for the powerful and mysterious Wizard (Luke?) they'd only find at the end.

    Anyway, this is just an idea, but I won't be surprised if we learn than JJ or Kathleen Kennedy or even Lawrence Kasdan talks about The Wizard as one of their influence for the movie.

    What do you think?
     
    #1 Nijuni, Sep 2, 2015
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  2. gunslinger19

    gunslinger19 Clone Commander

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    I think if Poe is the hotshot jerk shouldn't he be the Tin-Man? Needs a heart etc.. Or maybe that'll be Han?
     
    #2 gunslinger19, Sep 2, 2015
  3. Kryptic Mind

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    Well there are probably a lot of influences mixed up in there like all things Star Wars but sure why not , could be some Oz influences here and there .


    [​IMG]
     
    #3 Kryptic Mind, Sep 2, 2015
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  4. ChrisI

    ChrisI Force Sensitive

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    Nice, well thought theory. I personally do not like Wizard of Oz. I do, however, really like Return to Oz...so, don't go by me :)
     
    #4 ChrisI, Sep 2, 2015
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  5. Messi

    Messi G.O.A.T.

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    Rey = Dorothy
    Vicar = Uncle
    BB-8 = Toto
    Poe = Scarecrow
    Finn = Lion
    ---------------
    Leia = Good Witch
    Han = Tin Man
    Kylo = Bad Witch
    Snoke = Oz
    Troopers = Flying monkeys

    haahahah

    By the way, I love Wizard of Oz.
     
    #5 Messi, Sep 2, 2015
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  6. Nijuni

    Nijuni Clone

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    I forgot about the witches. Yeah, I think Leia could definitely be the Good Witch, while Kylo, Snoke, or General Hux represent the Bad Witch.

    I think Oz woud most likely be Luke, as the heroes look for him during the vast majority of the story (only to find he's not what they were expecting / not the savior they were looking for...).

    And troopers are definitely flying monkeys! ^^
     
    #6 Nijuni, Sep 2, 2015
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  7. TheFettMan

    TheFettMan Rebel Official

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    Mark Hamill tweeted "We're not in Kansas anymore." on Twitter in 2014 when the production phase was winding down.
    :cool:
    This made me think a Wizard of Oz type plot point may be in the 3rd act of TFA.
    Like a major character isn't quite what they seem or the characters may go on a Wizard type trek.

    TFM
     
    #7 TheFettMan, Sep 3, 2015
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  8. DarthPilkington

    DarthPilkington Rebel Official

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    nice! i can see the similarities there. i would think Tin-man would be Han, due to the emotion the character is meant to portray.

    do you guys think Rey will use a bucket of water to defeat Kylo? maybe short circuit his light saber? :p
     
    #8 DarthPilkington, Sep 3, 2015
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  9. AlienofDoom

    AlienofDoom Rebel General

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    I'm not sure how close exactly they would hew to The Wizard of Oz, but yeah, I can totally see something along the broad thematic lines you laid out. Interesting idea!

    (And Tin-Man would totally be Han I think)
     
    #9 AlienofDoom, Sep 3, 2015
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  10. Nijuni

    Nijuni Clone

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    Here's another rumor that could add to this theory (potential spoiler about Finn):

    Some think Finn could be linked to Zare Leonis (a character who appeared on Rebels). Leonis probably comes from Leo, which is lion in Latin. If Leonis is indeed Finn's family name, it could be a hint from the writers to The Wizard of Oz.
     
    #10 Nijuni, Oct 9, 2015
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  11. Count...your toes

    Count...your toes Rebel General

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    Slow down there devici code, look hard enough, for long enough, you can get anything out of anything.
     
    #11 Count...your toes, Oct 9, 2015
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  12. adamclark83

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    I'd say that Snoke could be the Wicked Witch's parent.
     
    #12 adamclark83, Oct 9, 2015
  13. Pastor Barndog

    Pastor Barndog Force Attuned

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    Vader's helmet is the "Wizard of Oz" floating head. Being run by Snoke to control Kylo Ren. Pay no attention to the mocaped reptilian creature behind the microphone.
     
    #13 Pastor Barndog, Oct 9, 2015
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  14. ThePurloinedFowl

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    Star Wars has always owed a great debt to TWOO, from direct quotes in the score to Luke's being a digruntled farm boy to the ol' smash heads and grab the guards' outfits thingy that Lucas/Spielberg also used in Indiana Jones. C3PO is the tin man/lion, Chewy is the Scarecrow, and Artoo is Toto. Bespin is rather Oz-like. So I think continuing the parallel between Star Wars and TWOO is an organic way to keep the tone and imagery of the series consistent.
     
    #14 ThePurloinedFowl, Dec 5, 2015
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  15. Old Biff from the Future

    Old Biff from the Future Dune Sea Hermit

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    In 1939 MGM released two spectacular color films, Gone With the Wind and The Wizard of Oz. Wizard was by far the most elaborate and credible vision of a make-believe world at the time, and set the precedent for big screen flights-of-fantasy ever since.

    Star Wars Wizard of Oz
    Obi-Wan Kenobi disappeared when killed by Darth Vader, leaving only an empty robe The Wicked Witch of the West disappears when Dorothy spills water on her, leaving only her empty dress
    Jawas Munchkins
    Bottomless chasm where Obi-Wan Kenobi disables the tractor beam, actually a matte painting combined with live footage Bottomless chasm outside the witch's castle, actually a matte painting combined with live footage (This idea was used again in Forbidden Planet)
    Mechanical sounds whenever C3-PO moves Clanking metal sounds whenever the Tin Woodsman moves
    Guardian of the Gate to the Wizard's palace Guardian of the Gate to Jabba's palace
    The Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman and Cowardly Lion disguise themselves as "Winkies" (the Witch's guards) Luke and Han disguise themselves as Stormtroopers1
     
    #15 Old Biff from the Future, Dec 5, 2015
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  16. Darth Garth

    Darth Garth Rebel General

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    Some of the news coming out of Snoke being a giant or giant head or something would also tie into the all powerful Oz. Neat theory.
     
    #16 Darth Garth, Dec 5, 2015
  17. Old Biff from the Future

    Old Biff from the Future Dune Sea Hermit

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    Snoke: [speaking in a booming voice into microphone] I am the great and powerful...

    [then, realizing that it is useless to continue his masquerade, moves away from microphone, speaks in a normal voice]

    Snoke: ... Snoke of Oz
     
    #17 Old Biff from the Future, Dec 5, 2015
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  18. Yoda 2

    Yoda 2 Rebel Official

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    Jakku = Kansas
    Millennium Falcon = Tornado
    --- Double Post Merged, Dec 5, 2015, Original Post Date: Dec 5, 2015 ---
    Yes OZ is one of the many influences of Star Wars. This is cannon ;)
     
    #18 Yoda 2, Dec 5, 2015
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  19. Old Biff from the Future

    Old Biff from the Future Dune Sea Hermit

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    Ya, even in TFA
     
    #19 Old Biff from the Future, Dec 5, 2015
  20. Snazel

    Snazel Force Sensitive

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    I think the person who down voted your original post is a jerk. What is this forum if not for intellectually challenging threads like this?

    We know the influence of Wizard of Oz is Episode IV is a reality as Lucas himself has confessed to its influence.

    The beauty of Wizard of Oz (one of the greatest films Hollywood has ever made) is it suggests that we are all broken, we're all incomplete, all hurting and all longing for something, the tale teaches us that by accepting friends (despite their dysfunctions) and working together doesn't solve the dysfunction, but it can help you understand how best to understand and cope with it.

    Often the primary dysfunction in yourself is simply a lack of belief in yourself. You can in fact, "find home" once you believe in who you are.

    It's a fantastic film and most assuredly continues to influence film and given the thematic elements I described above, it should become obvious to the film's influence over the entire Star Wars franchise.
     
    #20 Snazel, Dec 5, 2015
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