The Rise of Skywalker JJ Abrams is Writing and Directing Episode IX

[Aximili86]

You're going on emotion with all of that though, it's pretty much a subjective take. Which is fine and all, obviously you're not alone with the TLJ's-the-great-satan-of-Star-Wars schtick, but I'm hardly going to change your mind on that.

 

[godisawesome]

You're going on emotion with all of that though, it's pretty much a subjective take. Which is fine and all, obviously you're not alone with the TLJ's-the-great-satan-of-Star-Wars schtick, but I'm hardly going to change your mind on that.

Eh, I've got a bit more than emotion; I have an argument, I have examples and logical throughline for my points, and a postion I can defend in a subjective debate. It's not all emotions. And to be honest, the last post was more about trying to spice up my argument with more pathos appeals after I felt I did a decent job deploying what logos and ethos appeals you can into any discussion of art.

ANYWAYS, I'm looking at the setup for writing the film, and while I know Chris Terrio is a good dialogue guy, I'm curious how different the creative process is in terms of storytelling; Kasdan and Abrams were collaborative, and while I defitely trust Abrams to handle ensemble directing, he can be led into less engaging paths by a faulty enough storyline idea. I wonder if Terrio is being treated more as a partner or a translator?

 

[Aximili86]

Terrio's a "good dialogue guy"? In Argo maybe, I don't know about in general. Terrio's sort of one of my only worries here.

 

[godisawesome]

Terrio's a "good dialogue guy"? In Argo maybe, I don't know about in general. Terrio's sort of one of my only worries here.

That's actually kind of what I mean; Terrio has one great film down, but it was based off a real life event, and while he doesn't have bad skills with writing, he doesn't bring in the same confidence I had with Kasdan. Kasdan isn't a guaranteed home run, but he's a guy who gels with great creators and helps perfect what's got potential. Terrio doesn't seem to have that, and Abrams can click with some things naturally.... But has rarely brought a long term story to a close, and can be led astray. Lucas, even at his worst, tended to have a good eye for the long game. While I like Abrams, I don't think he has that, and I don't know if he and Terrio can compensate for that lack of expereince.

 

[Aximili86]

The positive is that I do have trust in Kennedy to reign Terrio in. Maybe the BvS cluster**** was more on Snyder overall, but even if part of that awfulness was legitimately on Terrio I think Kennedy's probably going to have him on a shoter leash than WB did. And clearly JJ knows story mechanics, so hopefully he'll balance any negatives out in the writing sense.

 

[Elayis]

Abrams brings his own problems to the table, so whatever corrective affect he may have on Terrio could be outweighed by new deficiencies they create working together. The only thing that gives me hope is that this is the final chapter and things need to be wrapped up. This being Abrams' second time at bat should also be a good thing, hopefully he's worked out the kinks from his first go-around.

 

[Aximili86]

Ehh, I'm not worried about Abrams. We're not going to get a bad/incompetent film from him, at worst it'll be just kind of bland-but-does-the-job-adequately. I do feel that stuff was overstated with TFA though, it's not as much of a rehash as people make it out to be.

Would have loved Johnson writing this one and Abrams directing it, personally, hit that sweet spot between the two movies.

 

[Elayis]

What's so good about adequate? I'd almost rather Lucas have another shot; it'd probably be garbage, but at least it'd be interesting. I'm pulling for Abrams. I'm just not convinced he has it in him to do something truly original or surprising.

At least we didn't get stuck with Trevorrow. Now that truly would've been a disaster.

 

[Frodo]

I think Abrams will be fine as far as the GA goes. SW fandom will still be divided given the polarized nature of the community at this moment. In other words, I doubt it will be a film which brings the fandom together or that they'll all agree on .

Still, I think the GA will walk away satisfied even if there's still back biting among fanboys.

I'm more interested to see what the next generation of SW films look like post the Saga films. I' want to see what new characters , stories, and themes that the a clean slate will bring .

 

[Marvolo]

The positive is that I do have trust in Kennedy to reign Terrio in. Maybe the BvS cluster**** was more on Snyder overall, but even if part of that awfulness was legitimately on Terrio I think Kennedy's probably going to have him on a shoter leash than WB did. And clearly JJ knows story mechanics, so hopefully he'll balance any negatives out in the writing sense.

Abrams was able to make two good Star Trek films in spite of them being written by Robert Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Damon Lindelof. If he can wrangle those three I think he can keep Terrio in check. Plus as you say there is Kennedy and above her is Iger. And this time Terrio wont be working with Goyer.

So it's a different and probably healthier working environment than the environment Terrio was in when he wrote BvS.

 

[Aximili86]

Nothin' wrong with Goyer either, he's more hit than miss overall. He's fine on the big ideas and broad story points, you just want someone a little more highbrow handling the finer points and dialogue. I'd take Goyer as a co-writer over Terrio anyway.

Do love Argo though, I'm just not sure whether to lay the praise there on Chris himself or on Affleck, maybe Affleck kinda held an iron grip over the script too.

 

[Gothamsknight]

Personally, I have complete faith JJ to bring this home and make it a fantastic ending to the sequel trilogy. I always think force awakens is the 3rd greatest star wars film ever, so keep that in mind, but i truly believe he'll pull this off

 

[Frodo]

Abrams was able to make two good Star Trek films in spite of them being written by Robert Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Damon Lindelof. If he can wrangle those three I think he can keep Terrio in check. Plus as you say there is Kennedy and above her is Iger. And this time Terrio wont be working with Goyer.

So it's a different and probably healthier working environment than the environment Terrio was in when he wrote BvS.

Oh totally. WB didn't care so much about the quality of the script for BvS as they did getting the film out, setting up JL, and making long term deals with Ben Affleck.

Iger, Kennedy and Abrams aren't not gonna give a pass to a slip- shod script which WB would do, depending the circumstances. So you know there's gonna be a great amount of quality control to unsure its the best story possible.

They're gonna give it there all.

 

[godisawesome]

To be honest, I have faith in Abrams having the right priorities, and on delivering for Finn, Rey, and Kylo. My biggest fear with him is that IX isn't just the finale of the ST, but also the "Skywalker Saga." Combine that with some of the issue should see left over from TLJ (in particular a lack of momentum for Finn and Rey) and there's a part of me that feels that in order to reach an "adequate" ending for the ST *and* the "Skywalker Saga..."

...Some course corrections may be needed that just pile onto what the film need some of cover.

 

[MaceB]

I'd almost rather Lucas have another shot; it'd probably be garbage, but at least it'd be interesting. I'm pulling for Abrams. I'm just not convinced he has it in him to do something truly original or surprising.

No "probably" about it mate. Lucas used up all his free passes years ago. We can say now with a certain degree of confidence that he can't do dialogue, he can't direct actors well, he doesn't have a good sense of pace, etc. MAYBE he could have story input... he has a few good story ideas... but frankly... not like he used to before he had kids.

 

[2kt09]

I'm just not convinced he has it in him to do something truly original or surprising.

Which is why I'm so enticed on what Terrio brings to the table. TLJ ended where it started, while book-ending the Skywalker stuff.
Let's git-r-done.

 

[Aximili86]

*Presents Mace with the Dunce Hat* Lucas is awesome. Away with ye.

Still hoping they throw him some big season finale or major story arc for one of these streaming shows. Not necessarily the first ones, but somewhere down the line if there's some story he can cherry-pick and wants to do.

 

[MaceB]

*Presents Mace with the Dunce Hat* Lucas is awesome. Away with ye.

Still hoping they throw him some big season finale or major story arc for one of these streaming shows. Not necessarily the first ones, but somewhere down the line if there's some story he can cherry-pick and wants to do.

To each their own. The only reason why I returned to Star Wars was because he has no creative control. And that was no light decision, believe me. George Lucas was my childhood hero. I wanted to be a director just like him, but he broke my heart with the prequels. Never again.

 

[Aximili86]

Someone's a drama queen.

Also, EpI rules. I challenge you to a duel. II and most of III are ass, but that's all pretty much down to the execution. The actual ideas are great.

 

[MaceB]

Someone's a drama queen.

Also, EpI rules. I challenge you to a duel. II and most of III are ass, but that's all pretty much down to the execution. The actual ideas are great.

That's cool that you like it. I don't think I'm being a drama queen at all. I idolized the guy as a great writer/director but after seeing the prequels, it was obvious that he was terrible at writing and coaching actors. He made Natalie Portman look like an amateur. The story is okay at best.. but without quality execution, it all falls flat. I could argue the finer points with you, cause we both know there's more than enough material for me to work with if I wanted to. I have no interest in making you wrong about you liking the films though, so we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[Brother Jack]

Someone's a drama queen.

Also, EpI rules. I challenge you to a duel. II and most of III are ass, but that's all pretty much down to the execution. The actual ideas are great.

Some of the ideas are great, others aren't. Lucas needed collaborators to challenge him at every level of the writing and directing process, but that's not the way he likes to work.

 

[Frodo]

My biggest fear with him is that IX isn't just the finale of the ST, but also the "Skywalker Saga." Combine that with some of the issue should see left over from TLJ (in particular a lack of momentum for Finn and Rey) and there's a part of me that feels that in order to reach an "adequate" ending for the ST *and* the "Skywalker Saga..."

...Some course corrections may be needed that just pile onto what the film need some of cover.

Well , the rumor on the street is that 9 is gonna be the end of the Saga films, which could be inferred as the end of the Skywalker saga.

Now this is Hollywood , so you can never say never to an episode 10,11, 12 etc years down the line, which could continue the Skywalker saga in some form .

That said, Iger's recent statements seem to signal that at this point, they're moving away from the Skywalker's and the OT, and going forward in the films, and focusing on new stories and characters unrelated to them.

So , I suspect that 9 will likely be the last film to deal with the Skywalker legacy in any way and beyond that , the SW film franchise will focus on building its newer characters. TV could be another matter .

 

[TheVileOne]

I'm sick of Star Wars fandom and all the debates. I just want a good movie with good acting. That's all I really care about. I think Abrams can deliver on that. He is in general I think a competent director and has a better grasp on story for the most part, aside from the whole Leia hugging Rey thing after they've just met.

I understand why that's in there. Rey is the main protagonist and you sort of want to keep the focus on her. I think the way to fix that though is show a grieving Chewbacca going to Leia and having a moment and seeing Rey's reaction to that. So you are seeing that moment through her perspective. Then maybe Leia can go to Rey and have their moment together. They should've had like a proper introduction or meet cute.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I'm sick of Star Wars fandom and all the debates. I just want a good movie with good acting. That's all I really care about. I think Abrams can deliver on that. He is in general I think a competent director and has a better grasp on story for the most part, aside from the whole Leia hugging Rey thing after they've just met.

I understand why that's in there. Rey is the main protagonist and you sort of want to keep the focus on her. I think the way to fix that though is show a grieving Chewbacca going to Leia and having a moment and seeing Rey's reaction to that. So you are seeing that moment through her perspective. Then maybe Leia can go to Rey and have their moment together. They should've had like a proper introduction or meet cute.

This is what I would have done. Have Chewie see Leia, try to walk by to avoid her (he blames himself) but Leia would walk up to him. He'd avoid eye contact, she'd gently grasp his arm, and then let him walk by. She'd watch him go before turning to Rey, who through the Force she'd sense she needs to comfortable and then go over to her.

What I think should have been Chewie's big moment about Han is a conversation with Luke in TLJ. Both men would feel responsible. Responsible for Han's death and letting Leia down. So them having a conversation about it would have really worked imo. When Luke goes up to the Falcon, instead of sneaking on, I would of had him have that conversation with Chewie, where they hash things out, and then Luke would ask his permission to board to the Falcon.

It amazes me how little Chewie is in TLJ, and more over, how little character he has. He is nothing but a plot device, that stands in the corner. Which sucks, as JJ clearly sets him up as Rey's big buddy, who is there to help her. It was more RotS more so then Empire, TFA or Solo Chewie.

 

[TheVileOne]

This is what I would have done. Have Chewie see Leia, try to walk by to avoid her (he blames himself) but Leia would walk up to him. He'd avoid eye contact, she'd gently grasp his arm, and then let him walk by. She'd watch him go before turning to Rey, who through the Force she'd sense she needs to comfortable and then go over to her.

I would've been fine with that. I was never really comfortable with how Chewie just rushes past her after what happens. Chewie is family to her. But it didn't make me go "ANGRY FANBOY REEEE" either.

What I think should have been Chewie's big moment about Han is a conversation with Luke in TLJ. Both men would feel responsible. Responsible for Han's death and letting Leia down. So them having a conversation about it would have really worked imo. When Luke goes up to the Falcon, instead of sneaking on, I would of had him have that conversation with Chewie, where they hash things out, and then Luke would ask his permission to board to the Falcon.

It amazes me how little Chewie is in TLJ, and more over, how little character he has. He is nothing but a plot device, that stands in the corner. Which sucks, as JJ clearly sets him up as Rey's big buddy, who is there to help her. It was more RotS more so then Empire, TFA or Solo Chewie.

This is where I think Rian Johnson lost sight a little bit. Case in point, he cut out that brief, but effective moment, of Luke showing that quiet pain and grief after he meets Rey. Like I think that's great just tiny little quiet stuff there...but he cut it out. Just don't get it. Like if I'm giving notes on an edit, something like that definitely stays in, or some sort of quiet scene with Luke and Chewie. Those two had to have gone through a lot together at that point. Chewie has to be more than just a prop background character.



Comparably here's a deleted scene from Force Awakens. Let's be honest, it was junk and should've stayed cut.



Let's be honest, this scene is just a little too far on the goofy side. It's just a bit too much IMO and adds nothing to the film. Also, it's that type of weird humor that drove people nuts in Last Jedi.

I just think the people on Force Awakens knew where to cut the fat so to speak.