But then I snapped out of it.
Disney has been doing a *stang of a job with the Marvel properties, which was a purchase that I had also been apprehensive about at first. Fortunately, I've been proven wrong time and again. The studio's collaboration with Pixar has also proven to be fruitful as shown in their quality of cinematic output.
Much of the news being released has led this nerd to much hope and excitment. The possibility of the original trilogy's gang of heroes returning for another adventure is one. The hiring of series alum Lawrence Kasdan and Toy Story 3 writer Michael Arndt is another one.
"So what's the problem, Hoffman?" you ask.
No problems. More... speculations. That is, with respect to what this new direction will mean for the franchise. Possibilities.
I've narrowed it down to a small few that I feel are most important to me and that I think people would probably click with.
Possibility No. 1... The Original Trilogy un-altered and remastered
This was one of the first that popped into my head upon first hearing the news of Lucasfilm's purchase. George Lucas has been notoriously stiff-necked about bringing the first theatrical releases of the Original Trilogy to each successive video medium. It was only through the persistent outcry of fans that he finally relented and put them as a special feature on a DVD re-release. Even then it just came off as a half-hearted gesture, being mere transfers from LaserDiscs.
Certainly from an artistic standpoint I can understand why Lucas would prefer that his current touch-up be the "definitive" version of his magnum opus. He gets a lot of crap for this, but the practice is hardly a new one. Authors have been doing it long before Lucas ever had the technology available to him. "Second Edition" is merely the literary term for "Special Edition".
But Star Wars is an important part of cinematic history and pop culture. As such, it's evolution through the decades should be preserved for posterity's sake so that a deeper appreciation can be made for Lucas' vision for his stories.
With George Lucas no longer in control of such things (as far as we know, anyway), the probability of a proper, re-mastered release of the original theatrical versions of the trilogy has become a realistic expectation. If Disney is smart (and they are), they'll do just this. I'd buy it just so I can see a version of the cantina scene where Greedo doesn't shoot and miss Han Solo. Being able to see the "Yub Nub" ending of Return of the Jedi would be nice, too.
Possibility No. 2... The fate of the Expanded Universe
If there is one thing that has kept Star Wars in the public consciousness through the decades, it's the Expanded Universe (which from here on will be referred to in its abbreviated form, "EU"); new and original stories that take place before, during, and after the two trilogies.
Books and comics have played an integral part of the franchise from the very beginning. After a brief dry spell at the end of the 80s, Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy and Dark Horse Comics' Dark Empire brought down an avalanche of new material in the 1990s for us to all gobble down and enjoy.
Since then, we've been treated with two animated series depicting the Clone Wars and the promise of an ever-in-progress live-action show taking place between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope. We've been given a treasure trove in the last 30+ years and I'm sure that Disney will carry on this tradition and bring many more great stories. I do have some level of reservation, however.
I'm referring to the "C" word. The thing that can divide or unite a devoted fan base and always sparks discussion.
That word is named canon.
Continuity is something that is always, without fail, brought up within fan circles. "This story couldn't have happened," or "Shadows of the Empire explains the details between Episodes V and VI." Or you have the so-called "purists" (this is where I roll my eyes) who say that only the films are relevant.
It doesn't help that Lucas himself is inconsistent with his own views. He'll be saying that they don't fit in with his vision while also making use of characters and ideas from the EU as well as participating in their development in some capacity. If they don't matter, why would you waste your time approving or shooting down their ideas? Fortunately, Lucasfilm is much better at organizing everything together, even to the point of having a designated expert who's job is to smooth over any wrinkles in continuity and make the Star Wars universe a cohesive one.
At this point, however, the argument is a moot one. The films and EU have become so indelibly linked to one another that it's impossible to not accept their validity on at least some level, however small. But Disney might beg to differ with me on this one. The possibility of disregarding 30 years of established continuity is a potential headache I hope never to endure. And even if they decide to keep it within the canon, will their own products have the same level of cohesion that existed with the previous owner? Will they retain a keeper of continuity?
They say change can be a very scary thing and they're absolutely right. I love the EU. It's given Star Wars a much richer and elaborate universe to delve into and explore. Fans would hate to see it brushed aside in favor of something else. Here's hoping that Disney will take this into account.
Possibility No. 3... "Kid-ifying" the franchise
Let me be perfectly clear before I continue this section. Star Wars is meant for children. It isn't Alien or The Terminator. That doesn't mean it can't or isn't meant to appeal to older people as well, but it's important to realize who the target demographic is when you walk in. Having whimsical and cutesy things is totally appropriate for a series that is, for all intents and purposes, a fairy tale. Ewoks and Jar Jar Binks aren't bad. They fit perfectly in place. Get over it.
What I fear from Disney is that might take the whimsy and cuteness and go way overboard with it. I don't want a Donald Duck-themed Han Solo or a Big-Bad Pete version of Darth Vader. Let Star Wars alone. It doesn't need to have any outside properties bleed into it, with the possible exception of an Infinities comic book crossover with some of the Marvel characters.
And please, in the name of the Force, don't add any musical numbers to the new films. It didn't work for the Holiday Special and it's not gonna work here.
Possibility No. 4 Release the Unreleased
Speaking of the Holiday Special, we could maybe get a proper release of that as well as the full shows of the Ewoks and Droids cartoons. The latter two shows had a handful of episodes released on DVD, but we'd like to see everything. And the Holiday Special, while absolutely atrocious, should still be allowed for legal viewing other than the one TV airing it had in 1978. Everyone needs to know that Bea Arthur played a bartender in Mos Eisley. It's a moral imperative, people.
I guess that's all I have to say. I'm beyond elated that I can experience Star Wars on the big screen and dress up at first showing and getting awkward stares. It's not anything out of the ordinary; and I get the bonus of being Luke Skywalker while it happens!
-L. Travis Hoffman
*For those who aren't in the know, "stang" is an expletive in the Star Wars universe.
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