The Force Awakens Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens (JJ Abrams 2015)

[Once 605]

This is confusing. Some places are saying that it's just JJ and Kasdan taking their turn at Arndt's screenplay now, while others are making it seem like Arndt is totally scrubbed along with all his work, throwing what little we know (casting calls and the like) into doubt.

Then read the original press release: http://starwars.com/news/master-filmmaking-team-announced-for-star-wars.html

A quote from Kathleen Kennedy:

"Michael Arndt has done a terrific job bringing us to this point and we have an amazing filmmaking and design team in place already prepping for production."

Already prepping for production - so they must have something useful in the script, otherwise prepping would be hard.

[Brónach 1,302]

I was kind of hoping he'd be one not to return.My enthusiasm has dropped 50% right there

Lets hope JJ is more hands on with the final mix. Some Giacchino cues in Star Trek are mixed in very loud

I think JJ will be rather enthusiastic about the music in this film.

[Quintus 5,399]

This is confusing. Some places are saying that it's just JJ and Kasdan taking their turn at Arndt's screenplay now, while others are making it seem like Arndt is totally scrubbed along with all his work, throwing what little we know (casting calls and the like) into doubt.

Then read the original press release: http://starwars.com/news/master-filmmaking-team-announced-for-star-wars.html

A quote from Kathleen Kennedy:

"Michael Arndt has done a terrific job bringing us to this point and we have an amazing filmmaking and design team in place already prepping for production."

Already prepping for production - so they must have something useful in the script, otherwise prepping would be hard.

Obi-Wan brought about this change. He walked into the production office and said, "These Arndt the writers you're looking for."

[Romão 2,274]

Ben Burtt was always going to be the Sound Designer, did people honestly expect otherwise? He's absolutely vital to Star Wars. He's not the sound mixer. That's Gary Rydstrom, who's also a legend by his own right

[Matt C 454]

This is confusing. Some places are saying that it's just JJ and Kasdan taking their turn at Arndt's screenplay now, while others are making it seem like Arndt is totally scrubbed along with all his work, throwing what little we know (casting calls and the like) into doubt.

Then read the original press release: http://starwars.com/news/master-filmmaking-team-announced-for-star-wars.html

A quote from Kathleen Kennedy:

"Michael Arndt has done a terrific job bringing us to this point and we have an amazing filmmaking and design team in place already prepping for production."

Already prepping for production - so they must have something useful in the script, otherwise prepping would be hard.

Maybe they're just rewriting some key scenes they thought Arndt hadn't quite nailed. Or it could be a big glorified final polish, i.e. Abrams and Damon Lindelof's final polish on the Star Trek script.

[Quintus 5,399]

So am I the only one here who finds this Kasdan news even more encouraging for these movies than Williams' involvement?

[Romão 2,274]

If I were to assemble my dream team for these movies, Kasdan would absolutely be the screenwriter. I'm not keen, at all, at the choice of director, but Kasdan involvement is as good as it gets

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Even less chance that they will take Star Wars into a new direction. Feels more and more like a reunion special. Like Indy 4 did.

Oh well

[Quintus 5,399]

I'm not getting that vibe at all. I see a Disney who want to try and make a proper Star Wars movie. Moreover, does hungry young director Abrams remind you of a bored and disinterested Spielberg?

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Young?

[Datameister 2,042]

Burtt is integral to Star Wars. You'll still have your soundtrack albums.

This.

[Sharkissimo 1,973]

Young?

Relatively.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Nearly 50!

[Quintus 5,399]

JJ is still relatively young/new on the movie scene I meant. He's still trying to make a Jaws or E.T.

When Spielberg made Indy 4 he was all been there, done that.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

JJ is NOT the new Spielberg!

[crocodile 8,012]

He's the next Joss Whedon.

Or the other way around.

Karol

[Quintus 5,399]

Nobody is the new Spielberg. Not in their wildest dreams.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

He's the next Joss Whedon.

Or the other way around.

Karol

Closer

[Wojo 2,453]

Nobody is the new anybody, it only works for James Bond, Doctor Who, and Christian Grey.

[Dixon Hill 4,234]

Yeah, and in all seriousness, no one should be the new anyone. That would be boring as hell, don't you think? Abrams Star Wars will be what Abrams Star Wars will be.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Star Trek?

[Dixon Hill 4,234]

You're welcome for the set up.

[Quintus 5,399]

Nobody is the new anybody, it only works for James Bond, Doctor Who, and Christian Grey.

That as well.

[nightscape94 965]

So am I the only one here who finds this Kasdan news even more encouraging for these movies than Williams' involvement?

I'm on board. Williams' involvement was half expected anyway, and is a consistent piece to all the other Star Wars films. So in that sense we know the music isn't changing, and that's a good feeling. Kasdan is a better writer than Lucas could ever dream to be. Raiders, Empire, Body Heat, Silverado. This is like welcoming back an old friend. Comforting, in a way.

[mrbellamy 6,286]

Yes, I agree. I would never hope to expect another screenplay on the level of his best work, but Kasdan (and Arndt and Abrams, for that matter) are nothing if not massive upgrades from Lucas as a writer.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

I certainly expect more natural dialogue in the new film. Not those awful, stilted lines that die right after they are spoken.

[Quintus 5,399]

George Lucas writes the sort of lines that parents hear once a year during school nativity plays.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Yep. The dialogue in JJ's film up until now isn't exactly brilliant. But it's snappy enough.

[Quintus 5,399]

The dialogue isn't helped by the consistently loose direction and complete lack of mise en scène and intrinsic artistic signature.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Direction wise, JJ reminds me a bit of Brett Ratner (of the Rush Hour movies, and the third X-Men).

Very capable in a technical sense, and gets good performances from his actors, but that's basically it.

[Quintus 5,399]

He could have easily been the guy behind all the Potter movies bar one and three.

[Romão 2,274]

Kersherner, as a good as he was handling ESB, didn't necessarily have a brilliant track record before or after

[Quintus 5,399]

No, but he had Kasdan and Williams

[Romão 2,274]

So does JJ, so some hope remains

[Quintus 5,399]

Exactly!

Plus Gia can't hold him back this time.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

That is very true!

[Sharkissimo 1,973]

Kersherner, as a good as he was handling ESB, didn't necessarily have a brilliant track record before or after

He was an established auteur of the American New Wave at that point. Not as prolific as guys like Spielberg, Altman or De Palma, but critics and discerning viewers knew of his talent. Pauline Kael was hooked since LOVING in 1970.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

he made the inept Robocop II, a crime worthy of the death penalty or at least fourth meal at taco hell.

JJ's contributions to the new Star Wars script,

STAR WARS

EP. VII

LENS FLARE

RETURN OF THE SITH

[Faleel 5,347]

But he (or "ILM") would remove it right after, seeing how he is trying to cut down.

[Luke Skywalker 1,795]

im sure he will restrain himslef.

btw the sw films have plenty of lens flares.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

Not really

[Bilbo 3,709]

There are lens flares but they tend to be more natural and tastefully done.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

A lens flare cannot be natural.

[crocodile 8,012]

At the very least it will be better than the prequels. That's not bad... or is it?

I mean... it's Star Wars. How ambitious or unpredictable can it be?

Karol

[Sharkissimo 1,973]

ROBOCOP II is ridiculously underrated.

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,265]

It's a repugnant film.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

ROBOCOP II is ridiculously underrated.

No. Perhaps it's...what's the word??? Unorthodox.

Wink wink nod nod

[Matt C 454]

Direction wise, JJ reminds me a bit of Brett Ratner (of the Rush Hour movies, and the third X-Men).

Very capable in a technical sense, and gets good performances from his actors, but that's basically it.

I think both Abrams and Ratner are only as good as the scripts they use.

[JoeinAR 1,949]

Same can be said about even the greats.

[Koray Savas 2,251]

Abrams has an indetifiable visual stamp on his films. Ratner just sucks.