People know me know I wear my loves on my sleeve. Star Wars is part of my building blocks and fuels my imagination. That world is precious and dear to me but I also know that isn’t an anomaly in the world. Its been dream kindling for 40 years.
If someone came to me and queried, “Wanna make a Star Wars movie?” I know I would say yes and worry about how after. Why? For me, it’s because that is part of who many creative people are. The problem is, then, you have to figure out how to make Star Wars.
This is where it gets tough, so tough, that the creator of Star Wars tapped out a few years ago. We are about to get a third movie this December, then another one in May. Every movie since has been a slog for every director (Rian Johnson may disagree but time will tell) and the whole world has an opinion on if those movies were done right.
Intention and desire, one cannot use those alone to make a good movie.
So when you read that the director of the next one (Episode IX) has left over creative differences with LucasFilm, your mind begins spinning. I am resisting the temptation to build this up too much in my mind. I am trying not to be critical or make ASSumptions.
I gotta admit, that wouldn’t be an enviable decision to have to make and though, the tougher question is now, who really decides what is the right way to make Star Wars?
George maintained because he started it, he was the decider… Until he didn’t and walked away (happily too, and I say that without judgement.) So is LucasFilm the decider? They have a story group, several varied creators, and a family of writers, producers, actors, directors, past and present, that would say they know… But the hydra doesn’t always know what direction is the right one.
And then there is the fans. Look, fandom is something I can weigh in another time on, as a part of it, and with some rigorous contorted perspective, outside of it, but sufficed to say, there is no true consensus there to be found.
I feel for Colin Trevorrow, to walk away (as far as we know right now) from the dream of many creatives, to play in this sandbox. I also though bet he is relieved. He got to be there, he got to play in that space, he got to be part of that world… And maybe, rather than finishing the job, that is the real prize, just to get to participate. Because, once what you do is canon, you are cannon-fodder. Once you say, “I made this and it is Star Wars.” It is not yours, it ours.
I am glad there is new Star Wars and I love revelling in the culture of Star Wars, but, a part of me wishes it was still just mine. Perhaps the future of Star Wars is better in the story that isn’t told. I realize that the lid is the box and the utter has been tapped so that bantha udder is gonna be squeezed until is sprays blue dust though.
I guess my favourite Star Wars stories that haven’t been told are the ones that haven’t been told. The ones in my head, my heart and my dreams yet realized. If Star Wars ceases to be inspiring creativity in myself and others, then, only then, we will all see what the dark side really is.
Thanks Colin, I hope your next project blazes and inspires you.
Shawnobot 