In the interest of full disclosure, I will say that I was not on board with the whole Star Wars: Episode VII thing when it was first announced. The special editions and prequels left such a bad taste in my mouth that I really just wanted everything about it to go away except for the original trilogy. However, as announcements flood in concerning the direction of the franchise, I have to admit that I’m beginning to warm to the whole idea.
Case in point: Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy recently issued a statement about Star Wars Episode VII, claiming it will owe a great debt to the origins of Star Wars. The blogosphere has been taking that to mean that Star Wars: Episode VII will be more like A New Hope etc., and less like Episode I: The Phantom Script or Episode III: Revenge Of The Ego.
What’s more, Kennedy announced that the film will be shot at a major UK studio, which Screen Daily thinks will likely be Pinewood. Given director JJ Abrams preference for less CGI and more practical effects, that’s very hopeful.
It certainly appears that Kennedy et al are attempting to impress on fans that Star Wars: Episode VII will not simply be a rehash of the spectacular terribleness of the prequel trilogy. They want our money, and they want us to know that we are not going to be expected to spend that money on more CGI racial stereotypes and Sith lords with difficulty emoting.
Despite my continued qualms about yet another Star Wars trilogy, this announcement gives me hope. Abrams has proven himself an excellent action director, and with George Lucas as far away from this as possible, I will certainly be intrigued to see what happens with Star Wars: Episode VII.
Star War: Episode VII is scheduled to be released in 2015, so get ready for the hype campaign to really take off any day now.
