Blog Archives
Fourth Be With You May It
What day is today?
Yoda knows.
In 1977, George Lucas (still forgiving him the best we can for Episodes I, II and III) unleashed his imagination to the world with an out-of-this-world space operatic adventure that redefined cinema and the culture in too many ways to identify and describe.
Need a little proof?
May 4th is officially regarded as Star Wars Day. To be more precise, we celebrate today with, “May the 4th Be With You.”
The movie and subsequent franchise that changed everything was born out of something less certain and more fluid than some may realize. George Lucas, as heard in the clip below, describes the inception of Star Wars and a few of its leading characters. For any fan, and even the 17 non-fans out there, listening to how the man behind the amazing creation of this epic saga realized his galaxy far, far, away is compelling.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to turn on my lightsaber and let The Force be with me.
And may it also be with you.
The Force Continues
Learn the name Felicity Jones. Her 2016 movie calendar includes Inferno in October and Star Wars in December.
The Star Wars universe has never been limited to being mere movie events, but as a way of life. The experience does not casually start and end when you leave the movie theater. Speaking of which, did you just buy Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Blu-Rey?
(No, that’s not a misspell…).
Well, get ready to head back to the theater again this December to see Storm Troopers, the Death Star and an epic operatic space battle. The first trailer for Disney’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was released this morning.
Two strong, daring female leads in the revamped Star Wars films signal a paradigm shift in the franchise’s narrative and branding strategy by appealing to a new fan base to its science-fiction adventures on the big screen. Rey was fantastic in The Force Awakens and Felicity Jones’ character is awesome in the trailer above.
Rogue One looks like one hell of a fun Star Wars story.
Filming in Space, You Are?
(Colin Trevorrow, Comic Book Cast)
“I asked the question, ‘Is it possible for us to shoot IMAX film plates in actual space for Star Wars?’,” he said.
“I haven’t gotten an answer yet, but they’ve shot IMAX in space.”
–Colin Trevorrow
Filming Star Wars: Episode IX in the stars?
Let the war for cinema’s best practical effects begin.
Jurassic World director Colin Trevorrow, working on his second mega franchise with Star Wars, revealed this stunning news recently during a panel at the Sundance Film Festival. He and a few directors, including Christopher Nolan, were discussing the incomparable quality and necessary future of film as an alternative to digital for filmmakers when this golden nugget surprisingly made its way into the conversation.
The conversation for saving film as a means for making movies is a worthy discussion for another day.
Returning to the burgeoning and ambitious young director, Mr. Trevorrow clearly means business in preparing to tackle the Star Wars universe. If simply daring to direct his second prodigious blockbuster isn’t proof enough.
One of the primary consequences of Star Wars: Episodes I-III was a rejection of CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) as central, interactive settings. This forced a return to the newest trilogy to feature locations that are rooted in practical effects. Add in supreme storytelling, better characters (ie-Jar Jar Binks) and a modern twist with a vintage, blue lightsaber glow.
Regarding the first film in the new trilogy, J.J. Abrams did an amazing job with The Force Awakens. The blockbuster utilized practical effects to the max. However, like any industry, innovation is paramount (the word, not the studio). Despite the lack of perfect effects, though groundbreaking at the time, the original Star Wars trilogy is cherished by fans for its revolutionary look and feel.
Episode IV, for example, looks like 1977. Watching this classic is like opening up a time capsule with a lightsaber inside.
Episode IX, with an expected release in 2019, could very well turn an important page for science-fiction epics in ways found only in our imaginations.
The investment in more practical effects correlating with demand for more realism in cinema is constantly increasing. The ROI has proven to be remarkable for movies that mimic real life to a certain extent, yet still give us what we want in a movie and in the theater: suspended belief.
Imagine a Star Wars battle scene, set in outer space, that’s actually filmed in outer space…
That would certainly be a new hope for the series.
Colin Trevorrow’s vision for Star Wars: Episode IX is bigger than any IMAX screen.
Jimmy's Daily Planet 