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The Last Jedi (Trailer) Has Awakened
The first teaser trailer for Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi is here.
What’s your first reaction?
My reaction can be summarized with three words hyphenated in perfect harmony:
Crazy-awesome-amazing.
The Jedi has to end? Who is Supreme Leader Snoke? Is “Jedi” in the title intended to be singular or plural? Who is Rey related to? Is this Luke Skywalker’s final Star Wars adventure?
While much of the film’s story and crucial details are well under wrap (thankfully), fans have been given a spectacular glimpse into the (potentially) masterful work by director Rian Johnson. The intensity level for The Last Jedi will continue to rise to fever pitch and beyond with 8 months still to go until its theatrical release that will likely make a few more bucks than that Shia LaBeouf’s film Man Down one week ago (sold one ticket in England).
Thank you, 40 Years of Star Wars Celebration. This wonderful event brought together most of the primary cast of the original trilogy, its famed creator George Lucas, a sensational first look at The Last Jedi and a sweet, emotional video tribute to Carrie Fisher.
We’ll always remember Carrie Fisher as a princess.
Romantics say that time makes the heart grow fonder, whereas Star Wars fans say that teasingly mesmerizing questions with answers to be discovered on a definitive cinematic release date makes the heart grow at a rate of 12 parsecs.
This IS the Star Wars News You’ve Been Looking For
“We’re starting talk about what could happen after Episode IX. About what could be another decade-and-a-half of Star Wars stories,” Iger said Thursday during a talk in Santa Monica.
–The Hollywood Reporter, March 23, 2017
While the original trilogy is untouchable (the originality, cultural impact, cast, story, etc.), if The Force Awakens and Rogue One are any indication of the quality of the Star Wars films to come, then the quote above by Mr. Iger should be received with elation by fans. It’s clear that the next generation in this franchise is being introduced and groomed for their own bright cinematic spotlight. And, thus far, these 20-something and 30-something Star Wars newcomers (Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Felicity Jones) are impressing in exciting, dynamic ways.
Star Wars as a cinematic universe is here to stay and Star Wars as a vacation destination is on-track for a 2019 opening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland. The latter was confirmed in a report from last month.
This all started with one of the wildest and craziest ideas for a film that soared to impossible heights back in 1977. Amazing.
If these forthcoming Star Wars lands don’t perfectly capture the magic of movies, I don’t know what does.
Happy Monday
Did you think a trailer was the opening act for marketing a new movie in the 21st century?
Think again.
And then think about what this title means for the next epic chapter in the Star Wars cinematic universe.
Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi was written and directed by Rian Johnson (Looper, The Brothers Bloom, Brick) and the 43-year-old has set the bar at a next-level height for his December 15, 2017 release date. The title immediately brings to mind a battle of good vs. evil not seen since Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader’s iconic fight in The Empire Strikes Back back in 1980. Without diving too deep into the reaction Mr. Johnson and Co. expect, I caution you to take a step back and consider that the real hook in this title is visible, yet disguised.
In other words, I suspect “The Last Jedi” is (stay with me here) a Jedi mind trick in and of itself.
What kind of Jedi mind trick? I don’t know.
But extra curious of a mind-blowing, bonus twist I am.
Have a Better Week Than Last Week.
P.S. Remember that Rian Johnson released a special video for fans about wrapping Day 1 of filming Star Wars: Episode VIII back in mid-February of last year (as featured on Jimmy’s Daily Planet), so the hype for this movie has been building for what will turn out to be about 2 years come this December.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 