Daisy Ridley Says J. J. Abrams Wrote Story Drafts For Star Wars Episodes VIII & IX

A common criticism of the Star Wars Sequel Trilogy thus far is that there doesn’t seem to be an overall plan put in place by Lucasfilm for a clear narrative arc. But in a new interview, Daisy Ridley reveals that the opposite is true, and that J. J. Abrams came up with a general plan for the story of The Last Jedi and Episode IX – although Johnson would ultimately deviate from said plan as he developed his script.

 

In an interview with the French publication Le Magazine GEEK (which has been translated thanks to the efforts of Tumblr user daisyridleys), Daisy Ridley was asked about whether or not Rey’s backstory had been decided before The Force Awakens wrapped or if it had been resolved with The Last Jedi. Ridley herself didn’t seem to know the answer to that specific question, so she explained what she understood about the overall writing process:

“Here’s what I think I know. J. J. wrote Episode VII, as well as drafts for VIII & IX. Then Rian Johnson arrived and wrote TLJ entirely. I believe there was some sort of general consensus on the main lines of the trilogy, but apart from that, every director writes and realizes his film in his own way. Rian Johnson and J. J. Abrams met to discuss all of this, although Episode VIII is still his very own work. I believe Rian didn’t keep anything from the first draft of Episode VIII.”

 

One thing that we know was in both Abrams and Johnson’s respective drafts was the idea that Luke Skywalker went into hiding because he was depressed over something that went wrong earlier in his life before Rey would convince him to get back in the fight – as was the case with George Lucas’ original pitch for Episode VII. So presumably, other ideas from the unseen Abrams draft of the script of Episode VIII are in the movie as well, in spite of Ridley’s comment suggesting that Johnson threw everything out, especially considering that he consulted with Abrams about the story itself, and that Abrams later praised the script and stated that he wished he could have directed it.

 

 

But it’s also not a stretch to imagine that the creative process for The Last Jedi ultimately took Johnson in a different direction than expected. The Force Awakens in and of itself underwent a handful of rewrites and the opening sequence was overhauled more than once, so while a general plan may be in place, there’s more than enough room for creators to take some liberties and make a little of it up as things went along. With Abrams back on board with Episode IX, it’s likely that the story elements he thought up for his version of events will be adapted into the story following revisions necessitated by the changes that The Last Jedi brought and the death of Carrie Fisher.

 

It will certainly be interesting to see where the story heads after The Last Jedi, considering that the movie – along with the decision to not put Leia in Episode IX – wrapped up a number of plot points and left a number of others in question. There will presumably be a time skip between the latter two movies if they want to tell more stories in this era, which might also help them with the issue of figuring out how to resolve Leia’s story offscreen. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

 

For the full interview with Daisy Ridley make sure to go to daisyridleys.

 

 

+ posts

Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.

Grant Davis (Pomojema)

Grant has been a fan of Star Wars for as long as he can remember, having seen every movie on the big screen. When he’s not hard at work with his college studies, he keeps himself busy by reporting on all kinds of Star Wars news for SWNN and general movie news on the sister site, Movie News Net. He served as a frequent commentator on SWNN’s The Resistance Broadcast.

148 thoughts on “Daisy Ridley Says J. J. Abrams Wrote Story Drafts For Star Wars Episodes VIII & IX

  • March 1, 2018 at 6:25 pm
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    If you start with bad ideas – you only continue on building on MORE bad ideas….JarJar Abrams.

    • March 1, 2018 at 6:29 pm
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      “Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny, consume you it will…” – Yoda

    • March 1, 2018 at 8:57 pm
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      Did you read the article? It has been long known that Rian Johnson scraped the original outline and was allowed to start from scratch with his own treatment.

      • March 1, 2018 at 8:58 pm
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        At least J.J had respect for the Star Wars saga… I liked TLJ as a film, but it really was an arrogant kick in the balls at the Star Wars saga story itself in my opinion. Really wish it had gone differently on many levels, but with the beautiful visuals that Rian coordinated.

  • March 1, 2018 at 6:28 pm
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    I have been very critical of Lucasfilm based on the reports that said they didn’t map out the story of this trilogy but now I stand corrected. It makes a lot more sense that they would have a rough outline.

    • March 1, 2018 at 8:03 pm
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      Yes Agreed I for One Have Enjoyed TFA and TLJ now Darth Harloff Minor can shut up

      • March 1, 2018 at 8:15 pm
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        Hahahah that’s hilarious. But yeah I really like both movies, love TLJ

      • March 3, 2018 at 3:52 pm
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        Why Do You Capatalise Certain Words and not others.

    • March 1, 2018 at 8:15 pm
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      still sounds like Johnson disregarded those plans though and went in his own way, meaning outline or not, hasn’t been followed. Haven’t liked either TFA or TLJ so what happens in 9 doesn’t matter to me now but it does seem odd that a director could be given such free reign in a sequel.

    • March 1, 2018 at 8:56 pm
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      Rian Johnson scrapped the outline and asked to start his own treatment from scrap… what arrogance… this is Star Wars… not your own generic sci-fi series to mess with. I like TLJ as a film, but not as part of the Star Wars saga story.

      • March 2, 2018 at 10:54 am
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        My position, basucally.

      • March 4, 2018 at 9:25 am
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        It may seem out of place now, but it’s kinda impossible to say how well it ‘fits’ until we see how 9 builds on it. Once we have the whole trilogy we’ll know how it all plays out.

        When you read a novel, imagine stopping at the 2/3rds point. In most books (stories), this is where everything is confused, the assumptions we had at the beginning of the book have been turned upside down and the heroes are suffering. It would be horrible to end here. But that’s the point. It’s not the end. There’s still a whole other 3rd of the story to tell – the resolution, that tends to tie everything back to the beginning and resolve the twists that happen in the middle.

  • March 1, 2018 at 6:35 pm
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    We already knew this though. The whole map with him and Kasdan. We also know that Rian did his own thing basically negating the whole process.

    So it doesn’t really matter? Though I’ll always wish I sort of knew what the original pass was. If it were me… I’d have gone for a heavily thought out scripted narrative through all three films.

    I’m not a major multi billion dollar corporation though… what do I know!?

  • March 1, 2018 at 6:39 pm
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    I wonder what was in JJ’s drafts for VIII and IX. Depending on that I might either keep or lose my respect for him.

    • March 1, 2018 at 6:43 pm
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      There was some black smoke and a polar bear, but it was purgatory in the end like everyone suspected way back when it started. 😛

      Rian was like… “Um… no.”

      • March 1, 2018 at 6:46 pm
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        Heh heh.

      • March 1, 2018 at 8:46 pm
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        No, the island on Lost was not purgatory. Purgatory was only in the final season in the “flash sideways” scenes in which characters that previously died on the island re-appeared. People who died on the island really died, and the purgatory was shown as scenes that took place off the island.

        • March 2, 2018 at 6:24 am
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          Twas a joke friend. I actually haven’t watched Lost. I made it to season 2 and stopped caring 😛

          I mostly really like JJ’s work.

          • March 2, 2018 at 2:46 pm
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            Oh, then you missed a great show!

    • March 1, 2018 at 6:44 pm
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      Chapter 8 – Luke trains Ray, leaves to help friends.
      Chapter 9 – Ray returns to complete her training, then returns to bring Ben back to the light. Everybody lives happily ever after and have a big party.

      • March 1, 2018 at 8:29 pm
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        Sounds like a movie I know already called Return of the Jedi.

        • March 2, 2018 at 10:51 am
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          i think he was ironic

      • March 2, 2018 at 12:58 am
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        I would add Luke and Rey go 2 v2 against Snoke, and Kylo.

      • March 2, 2018 at 10:51 am
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        haha. Fair enough. Maybe they should fire RJ, JJ and other J like they fired trevorrow and lego guys, then call back Georges to help

        • March 2, 2018 at 7:14 pm
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          I know there are plenty here that might disagree, but I’d be all over that!

    • March 1, 2018 at 8:05 pm
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      I think you chose the wrong words. You always respect a person, especially when they are trying to do a good thing. You can like it or not, but you respect the person. And that’s non-debatable.

  • March 1, 2018 at 6:45 pm
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    Still don’t understand why is this still a matter of speculation. Rian said so many times that he started from zero and have no single point of instrution about anything that I have no reason not believe him.

  • March 1, 2018 at 6:56 pm
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    Well, whatever happened…someone needs a kick in the ass!

    • March 1, 2018 at 8:06 pm
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      George for making bad Prequel films? Count me in!

      • March 1, 2018 at 9:10 pm
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        the inconsistent sequel…..

  • March 1, 2018 at 7:41 pm
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    Hopefully, Rey will have a trusty bantha by her side to help stomp the First Order.

  • March 1, 2018 at 8:01 pm
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    Irrespective of what people say after the fact, what J.J. did or didn’t do, as well as how TLJ works as a stand-alone movie, the way I’m looking at it right now, it doesn’t make a great 2nd act in a trilogy. Feels like it’s knocked down more than it’s built up.

    Still, I’ll reserve final judgement until watching IX but me thinks they have a real challenge on their hands.

    • March 1, 2018 at 9:30 pm
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      There’s a bunch of tearing down in TLJ, but to me it set up a lot.

      Rey takes the Jedi texts and has the weight of starting a new a generation of Jedi, as well as being ‘the Last Jedi’, all while having to establish her own legend.

      Kylo and Rey have serious baggage now. They connected in TLJ, intimately, and both wish the other had joined them. Their clash in 9 will be much more powerful and emotional now.

      Poe, previously just a hot shot pilot, is set up to be the next leader of the Rebellion.

      Finn and Rose begin an unlikely romance, which could create a love triangle.

      Kylo Ren is now the Supreme Leader of the First Order and the big bad. What will he do with the power? Hux may want to overthrow him.

      Luke has become one with the Force and has stated his intent to ‘see you (Ben) around kid’ – we also know that Force ghosts can be more powerful than we thought.

      A new Rebellion is going to be formed from people inspired by Luke’s final stand.

      Yes, we lost Snoke and Rey isn’t a Skywalker. But Snoke’s origin may be alluded to in 9 or if not elsewhere and the real question about Rey is not if she’s related to anyone, but how she’s connected to the Chosen One prophecy.

    • March 2, 2018 at 12:56 am
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      Nah. I’m good. ___ IX

  • March 1, 2018 at 8:24 pm
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    The problem is not that the individual directors didn’t think beyond their own movie. The thing is that their successors could simply ignore their ideas if they chose to do so. It’s nice that JJ did a draft for VIII but pretty worthless if RJ is simply doing his own thing except for 99% of the script. The statement above is a) vague b) from an actor not involved in the writing process and c) sounding a lot like damagecontrol. We have numerous interviews with the directors themselves where they point out that thy were doing predominantly their own thing. There is no indication that they had an overall plan to lay out the story which one would expect of a SW trilogy.

    • March 1, 2018 at 8:27 pm
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      I like how they try to say they had a plan, but then finish the paragraph with Rian did his own thing. I agree with your assessment, spot on.

      • March 1, 2018 at 8:32 pm
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        I’m surprised you were able to understand what I was typing. I didn’t wear my contact lenses and when I tried to read through the comment again I was barely able to understand it myself 😀

        • March 1, 2018 at 9:11 pm
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          Had to read it a few times, but I got the jist of it.

  • March 1, 2018 at 8:52 pm
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    Surely you guys should know better than most that Rian Johnson asked to scrap the original treatment and write his own from scratch?

  • March 1, 2018 at 9:10 pm
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    Maybe Lucasfilm got cold feet with JJ’s ideas because a lot of fans were saying TFA was just a rehash of ANH. They told Rian to make something different. Fast forward a few years and now people are complaining that TLJ is too different.

    • March 1, 2018 at 9:13 pm
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      Fans.

      • March 1, 2018 at 9:18 pm
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        *sigh*

      • March 2, 2018 at 11:59 pm
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        Worshippers…..

    • March 2, 2018 at 12:53 am
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      No one is complaining “that it’s too different”. That’s not the complaint at all, and you know it. The complaint is it’s trash.

      1. Rey is THE Mary Sue.
      2. Canto Bight is boring, and pointless.
      3. Leia flying in the vacuum of space is RIDICULOUS
      4. BB8 driving an AT ST is RIDICULOUS
      5. Phasma is a fail… AGAIN
      6. The FTL missle thing breaks ALL continuity
      7. Luke dying because he needs more cardio is RIDICULOUS
      8. The endless “jokes” break immersion
      And on, and on, and on, and on

      • March 2, 2018 at 1:43 am
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        Good grief dude chill. I say different you say trash. If that set you off I would love to see your response to people who say they liked TLJ. Thanks for your “everything I hate about TLJ list”. Breaking new ground there.

      • March 2, 2018 at 2:54 am
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        Mary Sue? Really? Hmm, then please explain to me who is Luke? I don’t know if we’ve seen the same movie, but in my version Luke had like 10 minute training on the Falcon and he made that million dollar death star shot like nothing, and that piloting skills,wow. Oh, and don’t forget that lightsaber pull on Hoth, who and when taught him. I can continue if you want. Yoda didn’t teach him how to fight with lightsaber, but he did very well when fighting Vader? How,just how?
        Other points are just ridiculous, but when I hear this one from fans, it’s like they have never seen the movies.

        • March 2, 2018 at 3:50 am
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          Luke was a gifted pilot, like his father. He flew a T-16 on Tatooine which was very similar to a T-65. He is the son of the Chosen One. 3 years pass between ANH and TESB, Luke has been growing in strength and if you read the comics he has been gaining skill in those years. Vader was toying with Luke on Bespin, he was never trying to kill him. Another year passes until he confronts Vader again on the second Death Star.

          Rey jumps from complete novice to being able to defeat Kylo Ren in lightsaber combat and levitate hundreds of boulders in under a week.

          So I guess you never watched the Original Movies?

          • March 2, 2018 at 7:34 am
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            You say Vader wasn’t trying to kill Luke, but you ignore that Kylo Ren was not trying to kill Rey. Also, Snoke explains outright in TLJ that Rey had become powerful in the force because the light side was balancing Kylo’s dark side. It’s as legitimate as being “the son of the Chosen One.”

          • March 2, 2018 at 10:53 pm
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            But that doesn’t fit his narrative! You can’t use common sense and logic on these people.

          • March 2, 2018 at 11:58 pm
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            NeeDed to say in few days with no training, while the grandson of the most powerful Force user ever has so many years of training from two grand masters on his shoulders, yet wasn’t allowed to even fart..

          • March 2, 2018 at 7:44 am
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            So you say in Luke’s case it’s OK he is gifted but there’s no way Rey can be, come on, you are just selfish now.Oh, Because his father was what? Then he is Mary Sue too, how is that a little boy with no training destroys the entire station? The force guided him? It has been said Jakku is very strong with the force, and fighting skills?, it is even shown in the movie, that she has been fitghting her whole life. Well Kylo was also toying, he didn’t want to kill her and he was heavily injured, they showed throughout the movie how powerful that gun is, stormtroopers were flying like nothing. Comics, books… none of it existed or even been planned when the movie came out. TFA came out just 2 yrs ago, there can be tons of additional material.

        • March 2, 2018 at 11:51 pm
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          My friend, lies or bad memory? I could tell you that Luke had at least those 10 minutes with a Jedi Master while Rey haven’t. But it’s not that simple. Luke was several days with Ben until Death Star. Ben has show him his first steps, how to contact The Force. To focus. Then 3 years Force ghost teaching. Then several weeks with the ultimate Jedi Master. Now watch closely. After 3 years (but I’ve learned so much) he was barely able to take the sword from the snow. And he didn’t take the ship. And he was defeated by Vader. This Mary Sue (and I was fighting for her against most of my friends two years ago saying that it will be explained in the next one) didn’t know anything, yet she was a better pilot then Anakin or Han the first time she piloted a space ship. OaK I could say it was the Force awakening like Luke’s training on the Falcon. But since then? She knows the Jedi Force tricks. She beated a many years trained Force user with excelent masters, she beated Luke, elite guards, Kylo again…..the only twist for 9 would be if Kylo kills her (and also incoherent with previous two episodes). She lifted tons of rocks just like that. No training whatsoever (those two moments with Luke I hope you are not saying is a training) so still no Mary Sue to you?

    • March 2, 2018 at 7:29 am
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      Nope. People complain that is sucks. Not that it’s too different. Stop spreading that lie.

    • March 2, 2018 at 10:37 am
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      So we can’t have a decent movie ? Something between lazy/re-hash writing and total misunderstood of SW ? Say what you want about bad actors playing in Prequels, at least GL managed to come with something CREATIVE and in line with SW atmosphere.

      • March 2, 2018 at 6:02 pm
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        That’s funny because one of the biggest complaints about the prequel trilogy was that it completely changed the Star Wars “atmosphere,” as you put it. Midichlorians, American pop culture references, the stilted and humorless dialog …these things have only become accepted as part of Star Wars over many years (and not at all by many people).

        (Incidentally, the actors in the prequels are not bad. Some of the best actors of the time are in those movies. What bothers people is that Lucas’ dialog and/or directing managed to make amazing actors *seem* terrible.)

  • March 1, 2018 at 9:23 pm
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    The problem is we’re stuck with a horrible film, TLJ.

  • March 1, 2018 at 9:28 pm
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    Hear it straight from the mouth of Douglas Gabriel, the storyteller who helped Marcia Lucas polish George’s original story, and continued to be a silent helper to Lucasfilm (he alludes to being available to Pablo on multiple occasions). I’ll forewarn you, he’s a very religious man, and he believes in the metaphysical and that people have potential for more clairvoyance than we realize — if you can get past that, he gives great justifications for decisions and rules established for (and occasionally broken by) Lucasfilm for this mythological tale.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0vpLse_PA8&t=0m45s

    Bullet points from this vid:
    –Older Luke was always going to go like Ghandi, refusing to fight.
    –The story was always intended to shift its future focus to a heroine (That’s pure Joseph Campbell).
    –Leia was never supposed to fire a gun, even in the OT — as his twin, she was intended a representation of Luke’s higher self.
    –Lightsabers were never intended to be displayed as weapons of attack (never ever).
    –There’s a reason Darth Vader and The Emperor had different powers.
    –The Kyber Crystal was simply the path of initiation for a Jedi.
    –The original intent of the film was to illustrate an end to all war.
    –Yoda’s role in ESB was supposed to be pure comic relief as a secondary character present during Luke’s training with Obi-Wan (Obi-Wan was originally supposed to last to act III of the OT).

    –Douglas never asked for credit-by-name simply because he taught in a school that discouraged students from watching movies and television.

    • March 1, 2018 at 9:45 pm
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      Great post, very interesting read.

      • March 1, 2018 at 9:49 pm
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        He’s a fascinating man — Gabriel even helped with all four Indiana Jones films, and continues to think very highly of Kathleen Kennedy.

    • March 2, 2018 at 12:13 am
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      But, Luke should have ignited his green lightsaber, before taking down the whole of The First Order with the force, because that would be so AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

      This guy’s meddling, and trail of thought is a betrayal to what SW ultimately is.

      He should be burned at the stake.

        • March 2, 2018 at 2:12 am
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          I always thought midichlorians weren’t too dissimilar from our very own mitochondria. The powerhouses in our cells, supplying us with our ATP energy to sustain us throughout the day.

          Having watched this video, I still don’t have too much trouble with the idea. After all, it’s a fairytale.

          • March 2, 2018 at 2:30 am
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            The only problem is that George sorta misunderstood that mitochondria don’t exist in red blood cells. Little details. 😉

            Ormus (monotomic gold) is the real deal though, I can personally attest to that.

          • March 2, 2018 at 3:33 am
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            What benefits do you experience from taking the Ormus Gold?

          • March 2, 2018 at 4:03 am
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            I grew back my severed tail. 😉

            Seriously, I’m two weeks into it so far. I take a teaspoon before dinner and it calms me for the evening — I definitely sleep more soundly. As for the other claimed benefits (increased concentration, cell regeneration, bursts of creativity) I’ll have to give it more time . But for now, the best comparison I can come up with is that it feels like a much heavier dose of melatonin.

          • March 2, 2018 at 9:02 am
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            That’s cool.

  • March 1, 2018 at 9:42 pm
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    I suspected this all along. There willl be an endpoint the trilogy is heading towards. Each director will have full creative input within the confines of their boundaries and themes of the framework (the Hero’s Journey) for their particular episode.

    • March 3, 2018 at 3:36 pm
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      Rian Johnson scrapped J.J’s story outline, if you read the first paragraph of the article you would know that 😛

  • March 1, 2018 at 9:48 pm
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    I think JJ is gonna end it very well. I’m worried what rain Johnson’s trilogy is gonna be like and all this new stuff from game of thrones writers. I’m sure it will be entertaining but I don’t know without the skywalkers it’s just some spinoff. I don’t know why they haven’t even released what the third spinoff is.

    • March 2, 2018 at 2:02 am
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      Interesting, just few months ago there was quite a backlash about JJ directing IX. Everybody was like “he is bad in closing a story and look at TFA, trash. RJ should do both.” And look what we have now. Suddenly, there is no complain about TFA is a rehash of ANH (I like TFA), and JJ ruined SW, it’s all gone now.

      • March 2, 2018 at 11:32 pm
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        OnLy idiots never change their minds

      • March 3, 2018 at 6:07 pm
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        I liked TFA a lot. I thought it was classic and modern and had some new things to it. It was perfect to me except the no luke part. TLJ I wanted it to be so good but after I saw it 3 times it just kept feeling the same like ehhh it’s ok but could have been so much better.

      • March 3, 2018 at 6:08 pm
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        Episode IX I really hope ties all the trilogies and the spinoffs together.

  • March 1, 2018 at 10:03 pm
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    I still hate TLJ. I can objectively defend much of the story, but at the same time be highly critical of the silly & slapstick tone and outright immaturity that Rian injected into the film.

    I think a rewrite/adjustment of the goofier aspects of Rian’s screenplay in the hands of a different director could have potentially worked for me.

    • March 2, 2018 at 10:31 am
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      They still can make Special Edition for ST. Or do like Spider-Man of Sam Raimi and reboot the ST, restore the good pârts of Legends and pretends all of this never happened.

  • March 1, 2018 at 11:06 pm
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    Daisy Ridley said on Good Morning America last year when she got the script for Episode 8, “I went to Rian and said we need to talk…”. I think she is giving us good Disney spin to combat the backlash as they have been doing since this movie came out in December. But none of us really know as it’s pure speculation on my part so I’m sure I’ll get flamed here.

    • March 1, 2018 at 11:16 pm
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      You are exactly right. If you go back and watch that interview BOTH Daisy and Mark look PROFOUNDLY uncomfortable about Rian’s script.

      • March 2, 2018 at 8:01 am
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        When are you going to stop with this conspiracy theory bullshit and grow up

        • March 2, 2018 at 11:29 pm
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          Well, since it was these actors who started what you call a conspiracy theory why don’t you just ask them? I’ve seen those interviews and they seemed pretty convincing to me…

          • March 3, 2018 at 7:32 am
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            The actors didn’t start the conspiracy theory. A bunch of morons on the internet who can’t handle not enjoying a movie started it. Mark Hamill has actively discouraged this kind of thinking. It’s totally fine to dislike a movie, but you don’t need to validate your feelings by making up bullshit about actors’ reactions in interviews.

      • March 2, 2018 at 3:10 pm
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        omg

  • March 1, 2018 at 11:11 pm
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    This new trilogy is a disaster!!! They should just be focusing on making standalone films. Rogue One was the only good thing to have come out of the Disney-Star Wars acquisition!!!

  • March 1, 2018 at 11:24 pm
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    The burning question that remains unanswered is why? Why did Rian just go his own way and why was LucasFilm ok with him writing it his way.

    You can say all you want, but my opinion is these two movies just don’t jive. They feel like different movies and TLJ just doesn’t feel like Star Wars. Its mind baffling that you know there will be three movies, but you don’t have continuity with the writers. I’m fine with different directors, but if you’re writing a series of movies, you need one writer, or a group, with the creative control. It needs to connect.

    • March 2, 2018 at 7:27 am
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      TFA and TLJ don’t even seem like the same series. They feel so isolated from each other. TLJ seems more like a Anime-Fan-Film based on SW.

      • March 2, 2018 at 3:08 pm
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        It feels like a writing game we used to play at school – one person comes up with the first sentence of a story, then the next person comes alongs adds his own spin which completely offsets what was written just before it.

  • March 1, 2018 at 11:35 pm
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    “This deal is getting worse all the time!”

  • March 1, 2018 at 11:51 pm
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    TLJ, bold new direction, from a business point of view, ditch half of the customers? Why not just make a film everyone would love???
    With Luke, Han and Carrie gone can they save this mess? Who cares about, Finn, rose etc.. and Rey the goddess who needs no training..
    Maybe the new time travel thing from rebels, bring back Luke, reunite Luke and Han and cgi leia, will they admit they screwed up? Stay tuned…. but don’t hold your breath

    • March 2, 2018 at 1:41 am
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      Who cares? I’ll tell you. Fans, kids, who didn’t grow up with OT or PT, but with this new trilogy, they care. They can say, who cares abou that old smuggler, or that old ex-Jedi? You’ve seen their stories, now bring us new.

      • March 2, 2018 at 7:27 am
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        Not true at all. To the kids, it’s ALL NEW — when they see the OT, it’s brand spanking new to them. It’s EASY to appeal to the “new audience” b/c they have nothing to compare to.

        • March 2, 2018 at 7:55 am
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          So in the opening crawl there should be: sorry kids, this is fan service movie for old nerds who didn’t grow up, if you want to enjoy this you have to watch the old movies first.
          That’s just selfish, but this is not how this new trilogy is made.it is meant for new, young audience so they can watch it and not necessarily know OT but in the same time paying tribute to the old movies so even old fans can watch it. You only look at it from your perspective.

          • March 2, 2018 at 9:42 am
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            I am sorry pal but this new movies have not paid any good tribute to the old ones. They have just crapped all over them. They were supposed to continue Luke’s story arch and respect its legacy whereas we’ve got one where he shows up 5 seconds and another one where he was made to look like a loser. There are other ways to appeal to new audiences but at the same time be respectful and reverential to the old ones. Disney likes money and that’s why they ruined it.

          • March 2, 2018 at 5:08 pm
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            “supposed to”

            Sorry Lucasfilm forgot to consult with you about the rules of Star Wars.

          • March 2, 2018 at 9:13 pm
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            Tribute was not the right word. They had their screen time, now their goal in these movies is to pass what they’ve learned.And To me he doesn’t look like a loser at all, where do you see that? Because he is on the island?oh, then what about the greatest jedi warrior master Yoda himself? Hiding in that swamp,hmm, yeah, that’s totally different because in the comic….bla bla bla

          • March 2, 2018 at 9:25 pm
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            Luke’s role is more like Obi-wan/Yoda type character. I guess it would have been better if they started ep.7 few yrs earlier, maybe start with Luke and Ben on an adventure, show his Jedi academy, then Ben Solo turn to the dark side and then comes Rey. But that is what I would like, doesn’t mean that their version is bad. I love TFA and TLJ and who knows what will come, there is space for future content.

    • March 2, 2018 at 7:26 am
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      You are right. The most PROFITABLE Sequel Trilogy would appeal to BOTH the older audience *and* younger audience — which is precisely why The Force Awakens broke every record.

  • March 1, 2018 at 11:54 pm
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    After ep8 I have a new appreciation for the prequels. I just watched ep3 and feel it needs an Oscar after ep8

    • March 2, 2018 at 9:45 am
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      Spot on!!!

    • March 2, 2018 at 10:09 am
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      Let’s be fair. i liked prequels and ep 3 was the best but in TLJ it’s not the performance or visuals who matter. it’s the script has nosence and does’nt fit SW universe. it could be good for another movie but not SW.

  • March 2, 2018 at 12:27 am
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    If this is true. No wonder everything in this movie made so little sense.
    Man this deal is getting worst all the time.

    • March 2, 2018 at 12:38 am
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      Pray I don’t alter it more!

  • March 2, 2018 at 1:00 am
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    Is this it? Can we finally close the casket? TLJ is trash

  • March 2, 2018 at 1:04 am
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    Haters get up really early and they drink a shitload of Haterade

    • March 2, 2018 at 8:06 am
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      Yeah. This is a depressive place which full of SW haters.

      • March 2, 2018 at 3:55 pm
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        Just TLJ haters….

        • March 3, 2018 at 7:44 am
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          Actually they change their name when new movie comes out. New version was announced to drop in May, it is rumored to be called Solo-haters.

  • March 2, 2018 at 4:51 am
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    TLJ was incredible. Love it. Can’t wait for IX.

  • March 2, 2018 at 4:56 am
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    This is the setup for that idiot to be fired from his bold new trilogy.

    • March 2, 2018 at 11:20 am
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      they should have gave him this NT in the first place. Not an episode of the skywalkers saga. and let JJ to do 8 and 9 with more time for working a REAL CREATIVE story

  • March 2, 2018 at 7:28 am
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    Ending the Last Jedi with a random kid with a BROOM was one of the most retarded things I have ever witnessed in a movie theater.

    • March 2, 2018 at 10:06 am
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      yeah plus the movie is swarmed by oddities WTF moments like this.

      • March 4, 2018 at 9:14 am
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        WTF moments can be great. It all depends on a certain point of view. I don’t go to the movies to be comfortably led along a familiar path all the time.

        However, I will admit. Seeing certain things pop out in a Star Wars movie is a risky move that does alienate some of the fanbase.

        Do we want them to play it safe though? I’d rather have unpredictable stories with brilliant moments that lots of meh predictable ones, personally.

    • March 2, 2018 at 11:52 am
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      Agreed. I think, like most every other scene in the movie, nobody dared “call out” any of the huge plot hole / continuity problems when this movie was being filmed / edited /etc. Sad to say the least.

      • March 2, 2018 at 3:05 pm
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        Yep, it was a very odd decision to end the second film of a trilogy as if it was the Epilogue to the whole three films.

    • March 2, 2018 at 3:03 pm
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      I was expecting him to break into a musical number in the vein of ‘Oliver Twist’!

    • March 2, 2018 at 4:00 pm
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      It truly was a bizarre ending, especially for the middle part of a trilogy.

      • March 4, 2018 at 9:11 am
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        Unless, you know, they wanted to hint at ‘things to come’ in the final episode.

        If we see new Jedi Knights ever, at all, in another Star Wars movie (set after 8) then this ending is totally justified.

        Yes, it broke with convention. But I’m sure that….

        … aaaand. You know what. I doesn’t matter. I don’t want to argue. I guess it didn’t work for a lot of people. It’s a shame. Lots still liked it. Blah blah blah.

    • March 2, 2018 at 5:13 pm
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      Next thing you know they’ll have a bunch of teddy bears singing

      “Yub nub
      eee chop yub nub
      ah toe meet toe pee-chee keene
      g’noop dock fling oh ah”

  • March 2, 2018 at 11:56 am
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    I think he already is! Name another director as hated as he is? Look at the Rotten Tomatoes fan reviews, the same with IMDB reviews, hell even the comments here… and the endless Youtube anit-TLJ Lucasfilm, Star Wars, videos on how TLJ is a giant FU to fans! What other movie has generated such backlash??? Rightfully so, I’ll add.

    • March 2, 2018 at 2:00 pm
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      i just come here actually. but i trust you. and i m more nice than my friends or my brother, here in France, who are not even hardcoez fan like me and consider the 8th episode destroyed SW. That a bit extreme for me and when i really dislike how the movie was handled. i ve found it visually stunning and enjoyable to see like i would with an other sci-film movie.

      • March 2, 2018 at 6:40 pm
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        Yeah sorry you’re entitled

        • March 3, 2018 at 3:34 pm
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          Yes he’s entitled, entitled to an opinion. Completely agree with you Ludovic. TLJ was a great “film” but not a good “Star Wars film”, it is incredibly arrogant film making that didn’t express the heart and soul of Star Wars.

          John DiLillo get off these guys back and do something more productive than shooting down others with differing opinions to yours.

          • March 3, 2018 at 5:57 pm
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            The fact that you make the distinction between great “film” and good “Star Wars film” proves there’s no getting through to you. What a nonsense way to twist your unhappiness about a movie not going your way.

            Alexander get off these guys back and do something more productive than whining about a movie and shooting down others with differing opinions to yours

  • March 2, 2018 at 3:23 pm
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    Whatever script JJ may have written, it is clear that, not only did RJ throw it away, but also he did the best he could to undermine everything that JJ had laid down in Episode VII. I hope there is still room to fix the trilogy in Episode IX and that TLJ ends up being only a forgettable flop like TPM for example.

    • March 2, 2018 at 3:59 pm
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      The damage is done, now that the OT characters have been wiped from existence by Disney. It is very clear that Disney want to replace all the classic iconography with their own versions.

    • March 2, 2018 at 5:22 pm
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      This is almost as bad as the time they undermined everything in Star Wars by changing Luke’s father from a heroic Jedi Knight into a murderous traitor and made the kindly Ben Kenobi into a bald-faced liar.

      • March 4, 2018 at 9:06 am
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        Don’t forget making Luke’s love interest his sister. What the actual F.

  • March 2, 2018 at 3:54 pm
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    Who cares about Star Wars now. Johnson destroyed 30 years of childhood and fantasy. The best chance we have of getting back to something that resembles Lucas’ vision is some bogus time traveling story or “universe resetting” story that doesn’t fit in the Star Wars Universe. I realize my ticket is only worth $12 but I won’t be spending it on Episode IX. Here’s the best advice Disney could get: Give it back to Lucasfilm and let your political agenda show through in some other garbage project.

    • March 2, 2018 at 3:57 pm
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      Unfortunately, Lucasfilm is now in the hands of Kathleen Kennedy.

    • March 2, 2018 at 5:16 pm
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      Why not express how little you care about Star Wars by not visiting Star Wars sites and commenting about how much you don’t care about Star Wars.

      • March 2, 2018 at 6:07 pm
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        Why not come up with an original thought instead of troll? You’re why Disney made that movie. Think, stop reacting. All you did here is add your 2 cents on what other people said.

        • March 2, 2018 at 6:54 pm
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          You see it as trolling; I see it as helping over-the-top commenters recognize their absurd hyperbole, flawed logic, and double-standards as applied to the new movies versus the old. It actually takes more thought than spewing a bunch of hatred toward Rian Johnson, Kathleen Kennedy, and Disney.

          Btw, the last time a bunch of people claimed a film director ruined their childhoods it was George Lucas in 1999.

    • March 2, 2018 at 9:04 pm
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      Ok…And yet you are here writing this…why exactly?

      • March 3, 2018 at 10:57 pm
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        He’s here because the article is about how RJ didn’t adhere to the JJ’s outline. So he cares about ‘what if’ as most of us only do now.

        • March 4, 2018 at 12:15 am
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          “Most of us”….speak for yourself

  • March 2, 2018 at 4:12 pm
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    The question is…. will Rey ever actually be injured in these movies? C’mon, at least slice off a leg or arm in Episode 9. Even better, have Kylo kill her outright. That would certainly subvert expectations!

    • March 2, 2018 at 6:28 pm
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      Hey, hey now! She got that…little…cut…thingy on her shoulder, while fighting the most elite guards Snoke could afford. I mean, sure, it didn’t affect her ability to kick all of their behinds, but…but….INJURY! She’s failable, see? SEE?!!!

    • March 3, 2018 at 10:55 pm
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      She got a runny nose and sore throat in TLJ as she is very vulnerable to the common cold compared to Luke and Anakin who never got sick in the PT and OT!

  • March 2, 2018 at 6:33 pm
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    I would love to see an experiment run across fan forums – in effect, we’d pick something, anything, the more ludicrous the better (We wish we knew what Lucas intended for the series; we wish George was involved; we wish they had started with some kind of vague plan for the new trilogy – all of those were too easy), to say we thought was a problem with the way LFL is handling the franchise. Then you sit back and take bets on how long it takes someone at the company or involved with the production to make some unverifiable statement suggesting they had already done whatever people are suggesting they should have done, and how long it takes same said fan sites to write articles going ‘See? SEE?!!! EVERYTHING’S UNDER CONTROL, SITUATION NORMAL!!!’.

  • March 2, 2018 at 6:40 pm
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    Imagine the ridiculous, childish pique involved in hating a man who made a movie you didn’t like so much that you call him the most hated man on earth. The mods have to start cracking down on this nonsense, it’s making this website toxic.

  • March 2, 2018 at 9:17 pm
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    Yup Nub is from the original ROTJ, so it should be in the despecialized version. The special editions have some other song.

    • March 2, 2018 at 11:10 pm
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      I will explain it more detaily. I watch Harmy because I totally love Yub Nub, as this is my first contact with Star Wars back in 83. Not only that. I walked in the cinema when Luke was about to burn Vader so it is literally my first Star Wars moment. And I watch Harmy because I deeply hate the Jedi Rocks sequence.

      • March 2, 2018 at 11:24 pm
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        Okay, I get you now. Have you seen the version that really tries to restore Star Wars (ANH) to its original look? It’s worth watching for the 1977 experience, although I do prefer Harmy’s version overall.

        • March 3, 2018 at 12:41 am
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          I don´t know about other versions. Just my 2.7, 2.0 and 2.5 Harmy´s 🙂 And since you prefer his, I´m perfectly happy 🙂

  • March 3, 2018 at 7:34 am
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    I think we can do this all day long and nothing will change. You do your thing, I’ll do mine. But what I can say is with TLJ I have another great SW movie to love and watch, and hope that another one is right behind the corner. You on the other hand, have another movie to hate and I don’t think you’ll ever get one you would like in this new SW era.

  • March 3, 2018 at 7:35 am
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    Finn has always been a bit cute on Rey. She’s his primary motivation in TLJ. Rose’s apparent falling for him takes him by surprise. But in the final scene we see him caring for her in the Falcon, while Rey looks on. They may not be ‘jealous’, but it does create a new dynamic between Finn/Rey/Rose. I’m not saying they’re going to be fighting over each other, but the situation in dramatic terms is technically a ‘love triangle’.

    Not sure what you mean by ‘everyones general after a battle’ – if you mean it’s obvious Poe would lead the Resistance. Fine. But unlike Empire with Lando, say, TALK actually invests time in having Poe learn about leadership, the hard way. It’s unusual for SW, cause the movie basically argues that being a Maverick all the time will get people killed. But that’s how 99% of all SW heroes have always acted and we’ve been fine up till now. It’s a maturity thing. It’s time the movies grew up a little.

    As for the Force Ghosts, it’s a subtle thing. In the OT all they ever did was talk. Now we see Yoda apparently in touch with the natural world as he helps call down lightening. He also hits Luke on the head with his cane. It’s a small change, but it has interesting implications for how much agency Force Luke could have in 9. Could he actually join the closing battle like the story for ROTJ originally intended Obi Wan to do?

    I’m just saying, the movie does a lot to set up new possibilities for 9. The characters are also in very different places in terms of their development.

  • March 3, 2018 at 8:33 pm
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    There’s a certain maturity inherent in accepting that you didn’t like a movie. It’s a maturity lacking in reactions like Kent’s. Instead of watching the movie, hating it, and moving on, he’s spent the last three months constantly complaining about it, calling the people involved rude names, and insisting that the cast hates it as much as he does. He needs to grow up. That’s what I said. If you disagree, you’re clearly not familiar with his particular brand of film criticism, which consists of just whining the same things over and over again with no regard for any kind of intellectual honesty.

    • March 3, 2018 at 10:48 pm
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      And this relates to me how?

      Kent is entitled to his opinion, and with something that is such a huge part of peoples lives such as Star Wars, it is only natural for disappointment in a certain installment of the story to warrant a level of discussion and espousing of sentiment that might seem unusual to non-fans, or casual fans who do not have such a huge investment in this story and franchise.

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