Lucas open to returning to Star Wars if given full control

[Reverend]

If there is any "blame" to be assigned for low-quality products, place it on George Lucas who chose early on to aggressively market Star Wars.

Yes, how dare he sell the thing he made to raise money to make the sequel himself without studio interference, and in the process resurrect the VFX industry, help bring back the Hollywood blockbuster, essentially save western cinema from the brink and help push computer graphics technology forwards in ways that continue to this day...

 

[Jedi_Master]

Yes, how dare he sell the thing he made to raise money to make the sequel himself without studio interference, and in the process resurrect the VFX industry, help bring back the Hollywood blockbuster, essentially save western cinema from the brink and help push computer graphics technology forwards in ways that continue to this day...

Exactly. Criminal behavior.

 

[Ithekro]

Eh. The Ewok TV movies were alright when they came out. Though I was probably the target audience at that time, since I was still under the age of ten.

 

[JD]

I loved the Ewok movies as a kid, but I haven't watched them in over twenty years, so I have no idea what I'd make of them today.

I depends so much on where Disney decides to take the franchise. There's on huge decision they need to make between producing Star Wars movies for general audiences or producing Star Wars movies for Star Wars fans. I'd argue Lucas himself faced this same decision after TPM disappointed.

The first option is more of a gamble since it's much harder to do, but get it right and you have a much healthier franchise on your hands. I'd say that's what they tried to do with the sequels, and results were mixed at best. Creating something that mirrors that original trilogy's appeal is an incredibly tall order.

The second option is easier, but it means accepting that Star Wars might not be the long term success Disney probably expected. If they go for that option, hiring Lucas is a really good idea. He'll put together something with a bunch of lightsaber battles and prequel/Clone Wars style Jedi. That's all a huge portion of the fanbase wants, and they're totally fine with Lucas being 'a lesser evil than Disney'. Basically, he'll do what he did with AOTC and ROTS. Not everyone will like it, but a large enough number of fans would finally get what they wanted from Star Wars. Since those are probably the same fans likely to buy all the merch and stay with the franchise, it's probably not a bad idea. At this point, I think the best way to go would be an Abrams/Lucas collaboration.

Making movie or TV shows just for the fans is not a great idea, just remember that the Enterprise finale was meant to be a "Valentine to the fans".

 

[fireproof78]

I depends so much on where Disney decides to take the franchise. There's on huge decision they need to make between producing Star Wars movies for general audiences or producing Star Wars movies for Star Wars fans. I'd argue Lucas himself faced this same decision after TPM disappointed.

Personally, I think catering to the fans is a mistake in terms of what they want. For starters, not every fan is going to like every single Star Wars aspect. I recall a post on another site about "Should I bother watching Star Wars that has no Jedi or Sith?" And that immediately eliminates Star Wars stories that others enjoy, like Solo or Rogue One (No, I'm not counting Vader's scene because it wasn't germane to the story).

As a fan, I do not want to be catered too. Because I don't know what's in the best interest of the story or franchise. I only know what I enjoy and am entertained by. I certainly would not have included Luke's hand being cut off, or Leia being Luke's sister, podracing or a coughing droid general. Other people like that. That's fine by me.

I think appealing to general audiences is what is necessary to keep the franchise going. I think catering to the fans is how we ended up with Lucas leaving in in the first place.

 

[HugeLobes]

Making movie or TV shows just for the fans is not a great idea, just remember that the Enterprise finale was meant to be a "Valentine to the fans".

Sure, it can go wrong. As I said, it's easier than making something that suits a general audience. Obviously there's going to be a little crossover between fans and general, but I think whether or not they hire Lucas will depend on who they pick as their target market.

 

[HugeLobes]

Personally, I think catering to the fans is a mistake in terms of what they want. For starters, not every fan is going to like every single Star Wars aspect. I recall a post on another site about "Should I bother watching Star Wars that has no Jedi or Sith?" And that immediately eliminates Star Wars stories that others enjoy, like Solo or Rogue One (No, I'm not counting Vader's scene because it wasn't germane to the story).

To simplify, let's say the fans who liked the prequels and Clone Wars. I know not every one of those fans is the same, but that would be the general group. Those are the people Lucas focused on after TPM, and it worked. I agree that it isn't going to turn out the best stories, but it's probably the safest route Disney could take. Trying to appeal to a wider audience could work, but it's a lot riskier, and it's up for debate whether that risk has been working so far.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I don't know why he would want to come back. Fans treat him like shit.

I can totally picture him with an evil grin and going "So, they troll me with "The People Vs. George Lucas", do they? Well let's see how THEY like it..."

 

[fireproof78]

To simplify, let's say the fans who liked the prequels and Clone Wars. I know not every one of those fans is the same, but that would be the general group. Those are the people Lucas focused on after TPM, and it worked. I agree that it isn't going to turn out the best stories, but it's probably the safest route Disney could take. Trying to appeal to a wider audience could work, but it's a lot riskier, and it's up for debate whether that risk has been working so far.

Yes, it is the safest route and likely as not the way Disney will go. Companies are risk adverse, understandably so, and I would not fault them for steering in that direction.

I can totally picture him with an evil grin and going "So, they troll me with "The People Vs. George Lucas", do they? Well let's see how THEY like it..."

Maybe we'll get a "The People vs. Disney" follow up.

 

[Soong-type Android]

The first option is more of a gamble since it's much harder to do, but get it right and you have a much healthier franchise on your hands. I'd say that's what they tried to do with the sequels, and results were mixed at best. Creating something that mirrors that original trilogy's appeal is an incredibly tall order.

Disney didn't merely try to mirror the appeal of the original trilogy but literally tried to mirror it. Instead of naturally building off of the ending of RotJ and creating a new story, they rolled back everything so they could have a new trilogy featuring a rebellion against an evil empire, Star Destroyers and storm troopers in a pale imitation of the original trilogy.

 

[Campe]

I just want to have fun with Star Wars. Of course, ones mileage may vary, but it’s rarely let me down.

 

[fireproof78]

Disney didn't merely try to mirror the appeal of the original trilogy but literally tried to mirror it. Instead of naturally building off of the ending of RotJ and creating a new story, they rolled back everything so they could have a new trilogy featuring a rebellion against an evil empire, Star Destroyers and storm troopers in a pale imitation of the original trilogy.

I can see that, though I don't entirely agree of a complete mirror. But, I can see the argument.

However, building off of ROTJ would mean doing something SW has just plain sucked at-political world building. As much as I know the political stuff in the PT annoyed some the ST could have benefited from a little bit more of that.

If you want SW to move past good vs. evil style fights then its going to have to do something different. And, thus far, I'm not convinced that either fans or LFL are willing to be different.

I just want to have fun with Star Wars. Of course, ones mileage may vary, but it’s rarely let me down.

I agree. Even with TPM, which is probably my least favorite SW film next to ROTS, I still had fun. I could still engage in the world of SW even if the film wasn't what I expected. I still have a tone of Prequel era toys and novels that I enjoy. At every step in SW I find something I can enjoy and be entertained by.

 

[HugeLobes]

I can totally picture him with an evil grin and going "So, they troll me with "The People Vs. George Lucas", do they? Well let's see how THEY like it..."

As much as certain fans did treat Lucas like shit, I also disliked the way he reacted to any criticism.

 

[EnderAKH]

Personally, I think catering to the fans is a mistake in terms of what they want.

Don't give people what they want, give them what they need.
---J. Whedon

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

As much as certain fans did treat Lucas like shit, I also disliked the way he reacted to any criticism.

Can't exactly say I blame him.

 

[fireproof78]

Being accused of violently violating your own franchise will have that impact upon a person.

 

[JD]

Sure, it can go wrong. As I said, it's easier than making something that suits a general audience. Obviously there's going to be a little crossover between fans and general, but I think whether or not they hire Lucas will depend on who they pick as their target market.

I would think making movies for general audiences would be a lot easier than making movies just for the fans. With the general audience, they're just going to be looking to have a good time watching the movie, but the fans are going to be going analyzing every single detail down to the frame. General audiences are pretty easy to please, but with the fans, no matter what you do, one segment of the fan base is going to be pissed.
I think it's best to just say, screw the fans, and make the movie or show that you want to make, and hope that enough people, fans and otherwise, enjoy it for it to be successful.

 

[Ithekro]

Mind you that the final season of Enterprise was fairly good, minus an episode here and there.

 

[Reverend]

I loved the Ewok movies as a kid, but I haven't watched them in over twenty years, so I have no idea what I'd make of them today.

6 year old me loved 'Battle for Endor' and probably watched it twice as much as Jedi, mostly because it had at least 80% more Ewoks in it, and me at that age was all about the Ewoks.
I have actually seen them since (I bought them on DVD, mostly out of curiosity) and they're VERY difficult to sit through. But that's OK, because they weren't made for adult me, they were made for 6 year old me and on that basis, they were great!

Mind you that the final season of Enterprise was fairly good, minus an episode here and there.

Well by that point, literally the only people still watching were a particularly dedicated subset of the fandom, so who else were they going to cater for? (Seriously, I'm pretty hardcore and even I checked out after season 3.)

I think it's safe to say that even at it's nadir, Star Wars has always had a much firmer grasp of the wider audience's attention than the likes of 'Enterprise'.

 

[HugeLobes]

I would think making movies for general audiences would be a lot easier than making movies just for the fans. With the general audience, they're just going to be looking to have a good time watching the movie, but the fans are going to be going analyzing every single detail down to the frame. General audiences are pretty easy to please, but with the fans, no matter what you do, one segment of the fan base is going to be pissed.
I think it's best to just say, screw the fans, and make the movie or show that you want to make, and hope that enough people, fans and otherwise, enjoy it for it to be successful.

You think making a movie everyone likes is going to be easier than making one that some people like? As I said above, to simplify I’m talking about prequel fans. I think Lucas would understand exactly what those fans want and be able to deliver it. Make a trilogy about Darth Bane with loads of Jedi/Sith lore. That would be huge with the fan base, but it would mean sacrificing a wider appeal.

Can't exactly say I blame him.

I’m not saying one cancels the other out. He certainly didn’t deserve the level of vitriol aimed at him. I was just never a fan of his whole ‘these are kids movies, and the fans can’t accept that’ thing.