My The Force Awakens Plot Speculation: Take 3

Twas the night before I buy Star Wars: The Force Awakens tickets and my head was buzzing.  Not only have several teaser trailers come out for tomorrow's full trailer, but the official movie poster for the film has been released.  I do think the poster looks a little crowded, and I have no idea why the hell Luke Skywalker, the hero of the Star Wars saga, is not on it!  To this point we still have no idea what the actual plot of the film is, but I have a feeling tomorrow's trailer will tell us what all these characters are doing in Episode VII.  After each teaser trailer I've jumped on here and given my speculation as to the plot of the film; or what each character is up too.  Since their will probably be no more mystery by tomorrow night I figure I'll give it one last go after see the new poster.

The only thing for certain we know is that this film takes place 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi.  The once great Empire has dissolved and the First Order seems to be taking it's place as the bad guys in the galaxy.  Leia is part of the Resistance, which are of course the good guys fighting against them.  Given the word 'Resistance' is used I don't think the Rebels had the crushing victory we saw in the Expanded Universe, or Legends, after the second Death Star was destroyed.  With the absence of Luke from the poster it makes me believe that Mark Hamill isn't in much of the film.  In fact, I think Han and Chewie are in search for Luke because a new Force baddie, Kylo Ren has shown up.  But they aren't in league with Leia.  I don't even think Han and Leia are together.

Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, is a desert scavenger who lives far enough away on the planet Jakku that she doesn't really know what's happening.  That is until Finn shows up looking for her, because he thinks she knows where Luke is.  But the First Order also wants to know where Luke is, so Kylo Ren is also hunting down Rey and her droid BB-8.  I think Rey was once a padawan to Luke; and is also his niece.  

In the Legends universe Han and Leia had twins, Jacen and Jaina, who were built up as the next generation of Skywalkers.  Jacen turned to the dark side, and his twin sister had to kill him for the good of the galaxy.  While the Legends stuff is no longer Star Wars Canon, Kathleen Kennedy said ideas from Legends can be cherry picked for this new continuity.  I think Rey is the new Jaina Solo and Kylo Ren is the new Jacen Solo.  But Rey has turned away from The Force for fear of repeating her grandfather's destiny. 

So Finn goes undercover in the First Order(which explains the stormtrooper outfit) because they have a lead on Rey, and Leia wants him to protect her and find Luke.  Leia trusts Finn because he too is Force sensitive(which is why he has a lightsaber).  Along the way, Rey and Finn are saved by Han and Chewie and they all go to find Luke together.  By the end of the film they find the former farmboy, but Luke knows the Dark Side is gaining power, and they are not ready to face it.  Filming for Episode VIII has begun with reports that Mark Hamill and Daisy Ridley are shooting scenes off the coast of Ireland on Skellig Michael Island.  I think Luke takes Rey to this place to do her Jedi training so she will be strong enough to take down Kylo Ren.

Now there is a big prediction that Han Solo bites the dust by the end of the film because of Harrison Ford's desire to see him die way back when Episode VI was being filmed.  While I don't think this will happen I wouldn't bet against it.  I initially thought Luke would die. Episode I, Qui-Gon Jinn die.  Episode IV, Obi-Wan Kenobi dies.  The mentor figure has always died in the first film of each trilogy.  While maybe not the first film, I do think that by the end of this trilogy Han and Luke will have both joined the Force.  Of course, I'm sure I am wrong about all of this.  But as a life-long Star Wars fan who is super excited for The Force Awakens I've had years to think about what Episode VII will be like.  I still don't know where Poe Dameron or Rey's bo staff fits in(though some are saying Darth Plagueis).  I just hope this new "Starkiller" weapon isn't another Death Star.

My Top 5 Young Han Solo Casting Choices

Yesterday, a huge piece of Star Wars news broke as it was officially announced that Disney and Lucasfilm are indeed making a young Han Solo film that will be released in 2018 as part of their Star Wars Anthology series.  Disney also announced the directors of this film would be none other than the duo behind The LEGO Movie and 21 Jump Street; Phil Lord and Christopher Miller.

While I would have preferred an announcement of a solo Obi-Wan film starring Ewan McGregor I am still excited about this news.  Lord and Miller have been on a hot streak ever since 21 Jump Street made me laugh so hard at Channing Tatum.  And it wasn't because of his bad acting for once, it was because he was actually funny.  With these two calling the shots you have to assume the film will have an element of comedy to it.  Han is known for is one liners so I can see this film being a bit light-hearted as Han makes his way in the galaxy with his charm and his smirk.

Not too long ago the debate went on about who would play the new Spider-Man.  Well now that bone has been picked dry and Hollywood has given us something new to chew on.  Who will play the young Han Solo?  I've got my choices narrowed down to five.

5) Richard Madden

Every time Rob Stark was on screen in the HBO series Game of Thrones Madden seemed to have an aura about him that commanded you're presence.  Rob wasn't one of my favorite characters but I thought Madden carried the character very well.  If he can bring that same aura to a Han Solo role I think he'll be well on his to play it the way Harrison Ford did.  On a side note, I also picked Madden to be the next Batman before Ben Affleck was cast. 

4) Ansel Elgort

Yes, I do admit that I watched The Fault In Our Stars because I always try to give each film and television show a fair shake before I dismiss it.  While the film was not good(liked I predicted) Elgort played the bad-boy-of-cancer very well.  He had a charm to him, and that's what we need in Han Solo.  We need an actor who can come off cocky and like him because of it.  That's what Ford did, and that's what I believe Elgort can do.

3) Taron Egerton

Having made a splash in this year's Kingsman: The Secret Service, Egerton has made his presence known in Hollywood and has proved he can carry an action film.  He's got the charm and the chops to pull off a scoundrel.

2) Penn Badgley

I first saw Badgely in the short-lived WB series, The Bedford Diaries, and he later found a home for several years on The CW series Gossip Girl while taking on several films like Easy A and John Tucker Must Die.  While I haven't always been a fan of his choices he has always seemed like a legit actor to me.  An actor who can carry a tough-guy vibe, but turn on some charm when needs be.  Sounds like Han Solo to me.

1) Garrett Hedlund

Once I had my list down I was concerned about several of their ages with them playing a "young" Han Solo.  I looked it up, and Harrison Ford was in his early 30's when started playing Han Solo and everyone on my list is 30 and below.   If Disney won't let Hedlund get another shot at Sam Flynn in a sequel to Tron: Legacy then they should let him play another wise-cracking hero with a chip on his shoulder.  Hedlund can do brooding so I don't see why he wouldn't nail this part.    

Age is Wasted on Adaline

There is an old phrase that says, "youth is wasted on the young."  The older I get, the more I think that phrase is true.  I would probably give anything too go back and stay twenty-five forever.  But in The Age of Adaline, director Lee Toland Krieger tries too teach us that unlimited life is wasted unless you have someone to grow old with.

Blake Lively plays Adaline Bowman.  One fateful night, Adaline gets into a car accident and is struck by lightening, which makes her stop aging.  After many decades, and many identity changes, Adaline meets a young man who is worth telling the truth too.  But Adaline finds out the man's father is the last person she ever truly gave her heart too, and she reconsiders telling her new beau the facts about herself.

I was intrigued by this film for several reasons.  I've always enjoyed the idea of immortality, only with this film we get it without the vampire twist.   Adaline didn't have to suck anyone's blood to stay youthful; she just was.  Second, I always thought Blake Lively is a better actress than the roles she is given.  Perhaps this was a role that could help take her to the next level.  And third, there had been a bit of buzz about Anthony Ingruber, the actor picked to play a young Harrison Ford.

First, the film had some good ideas behind it.  You saw Adaline interact with her daughter, played by Ellen Burstyn, who had become elderly and was thinking about moving into a retirement community while Adaline was still as young as they day she gave birth to her.  Also, Adaline owned a handful of dogs throughout her life.  They were all the same kind of dog, and she was always sad when she lost them.  But beyond those connections I didn't think Krieger did a good enough job connecting Adaline's past life to her present one.  We are given a brief review into her life up until 2015.  There were flashbacks throughout the film which were good, but not used enough and properly.  I would have liked to have seen more moments of drama in her life besides the ones she is currently experiencing.

Second, Blake Lively played her role nicely.  For a woman who has lived for over a century she had to possess a sense of patience and class.  Mrs. Ryan Reynolds gave an accent that made you believe this woman was older than she looked, but she didn't give us a performance that would change people's perspective of her as an actress.  I still think her best performance in a movie is The Town.  The rest of the cast kind of took a back seat to Lively.  The only one who was in the film long enough to leave any kind of impression was her love interest, played by Game of Thrones star, Michiel Huisman.  While not bad, his performance didn't impress me either.

Third, I wanted to see more of the love story between Adaline and William, played by Anthony Ingruber.  Aside from 42, I haven't seen a good Harrison Ford performance in years, and this film is no exception.  But I was hoping for more about the last man Adaline ever loved.  Their past was explained in almost all brief montages that didn't give us any kind of attachment to their relationship.  However, the brief moments I saw Ingruber do his Harrison Ford impersonation I was impressed.  But like the rest of the film, the filmmakers were too focused in Adaline's present than telling us where she had been too help us understand her current predicament.

I was expecting more from this film and walked away thinking this was a missed opportunity for a good movie.  I think the actors were capable, so I'm left to blame the director and production crew.  A few more edits(such as the constant narrating) and plot choices(like more time in the past) could have turned this movie into more than just a film people will forget a month after it's been on blu-ray.

RATING:  D+

The Force Awakens Teaser #2: My New Theories

When the cast was first announced for the new upcoming Star Wars film I wrote entry about who I thought each character was.  Several months ago, when the first teaser trailer dropped, I did another entry about what I now believed about these characters, and the plot, of Episode VII is.  Thursday, at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, J J Abrams and Kathleen Kennedy introduced a second teaser trailer that lit the internet on fire (which became an inferno later after the BatmanVSuperman trailer leaked).  So after a few days of stewing, and many more viewings of the second teaser, I'm back with some new theories.

The teaser opens with a desert landscape view of a planet we now know is not Tatooine, but in fact another desert planet called Jakku.  It seems like a typical establishing shot until the camera pans to see a crashed star destroyer in the background.  Then you know this $hit just got real!

Then a voiceover occurs with something I have burned into my brain; dialogue from the original trilogy.  Luke's voice talks about his family and their relationhip to the Force, and people are debating whether it's new dialogue or just re-used from Return of the Jedi.  I say it's re-used, but over the words we see a destroyed Darth Vader helmet, a man with a robotic hand touching R2-D2, and the hand-off of a lightsaber we are all sure it Luke's lightsaber he lost on Cloud City, along with his right hand.  The way the images are in order want us to believe they sync up.  The Vader helmet when Anakin is mentioned, a robotic hand when Luke is brought up, and a lightsaber hand-off when talking about Leia.  I think this is not true.

J J Abrams is all about deception and keeping the audience spoiler free.  I think that is someone else's robotic hand.  However, if it is Luke's I love his new upgrade!  The lightsaber is tricky because I had heard rumors that the original lightsaber of Anakin Skywalker was going to play a part in this film.  In the third book of Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy the evil Jedi Jorus C'Boath uses Luke's lost hand to clone him, and then trained the clone to fight Luke.  While it was awesome, I don't think that is the case in this instance.  

I think Luke has kept Vader's helmet as a memento, or warning, about what can go wrong if he is not the Jedi the galaxy needs him to be.  Rumors speculate Luke has not gone on to rebuild the Jedi order like in the Legends stories, but has been in hiding.   

So what brings Luke out of hiding?  Finn and Rey.  Finn is the man who sets the events of this movie in motion.  The bad guys are after him, and while on the run he finds Rey on Jakku.  Rey seems like a better version of young Anakin or Luke.  She lives on a desert planet and she likes to build stuff. 

Bring in the bad guy. Kylo Ren was the one sporting the new lightsaber in the first teaser trailer and I'm guessing is the one hunting down Finn.  But who is he working for?  Always two there are.

In the Legends universe the Rebels take control of the galaxy and form the New Republic while the Empire slowly dies.  But in this trailer we get the sense that the Empire is still in control, or at least the two sides are still battling for control.  Which leads to our last picture.

The entire teaser trailer I was thinking, "where is the original cast?'  And then Harrison Ford says, "Chewie, we're home."  Han and Chewie are obviously on the Millenium Falcon, and acting as if they hadn't seen it in a while.  This leads me to believe  the gang from Episodes IV-VI didn't stay thick as thieves like in Legends.  

I think they went their separate ways or something happened that split them up.  Han could have lost the Falcon being his usual self and gets it back years later. Leia probably stayed on to help fight the good fight as always, which could mean a split for her and Han.  Meanwhile, with all the Sith and Jedi dead, Luke becomes a hermit like Obi-Wan and believes more Force sensitive people will only hurt the galaxy; that is until "the force awakens" once again.  Now, the original guardians of the galaxy have to come back together to fight the Empire and restore peace to the galaxy....again.

Of course, I believe I am probably wrong on my new theory and feel like an official trailer will give us some idea as to the plot of The Force Awakens.  When it hits, I'll be drooling, and then I'll have to take a 10 minute break from whatever I am doing so I can watch it at least 4 times in a row like I did this teaser.  Until then, may the Force be with us all!

Star Wars Episode VII: My Fantasy Plot

After months of rumors, speculation, and flat out lies the cast of the new Star Wars film has been announced!  As no surprise to anyone, the original cast from Episodes IV-VI are all returning, with the exception of Billy Dee Williams(so far).  Along with them is a slew of actors, most of which aren't anyone on the Hollywood A-List.  This has some fans excited since the original Star Wars film back in 1977 was filled with unknowns like Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher.  

Now that the main cast has been announced another array of speculation has begun as to who these new actors will play and what the plot of the film will be.  We now know that the infamous Expanded Universe that continued the Star Wars story after Return of the Jedi will not be the basis of Episode VII.  But it's been said that they may cherry-pick certain ideas from the EU into this new Star Wars canon.  Every uber Star Wars fan has their own thoughts and ideas as to how they hope this cast comes together in a film.  And here is mine.

Max von Sydow as The Imperial Commander
It'll be 30 years since the events of Return of the Jedi.  I'm sure the Empire didn't just give up after the death of the Emperor and the destruction of the second Death Star.  I'm sure it still took several years of fighting before peace was given a chance.  And while the "New Republic" won out, I'm sure their were some compromises.  Everyone seems to think that Sydow will play an old Sith Lord, but I think that just seems to obvious.  I see him more as the liaison of the once mighty Empire.  He could be this man who actually believed the Empire was the best form of government.  He has a strong sense of duty, and is now proud to be representing the old regime in this new era.  I also wouldn't be surprised though if he has a hidden agenda, perhaps working with some Sith Lords to cause unrest in the Republic making the galaxy wish for the days of the ordered Empire.

Adam Driver as The Sith Lord
Let's just all face the facts.  Adam Driver will be a bad guy.  He just looks creepy.  I've only really seen him in the HBO show Girls and even in that show he was just weird.  I see Driver playing the Darth Maul-type character.  He could be the Sith that everyone sees carrying out his master's plans, and even the one holding secret meetings with Sydow's character.  It also wouldn't surprise me if Driver's character does the non-Darth Maul route and survives past the first film; eventually becoming the master!

Andy Serkis as The Sith Master
I'm of the strong opinion that Serkis should have gotten some kind of Oscar for his role as Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes.  He was phenomenal in that film!  Serkis has become synonymous with body acting so everyone assumes he'll be doing the same in Episode VII.  Some think he'll be the "New Jar Jar" and play the comic relief.  I personally think it' d be nice if Serkis would actually play Jar Jar Binks!  He could totally redeem the character and maybe make him not look so bad in Episode I if we then know where the character was going to end up.

However, I don't think they'd waste a great talent like Andy Serkis on just some funny character who will sell toys.  I see Serkis playing a more pivotal role; The Sith Master.  Much like Darth Sidious was in Episodes I-III, he'd be the man behind the curtain pulling all the strings.  But because it's Serkis he wouldn't be human. I say they make the big bad some kind of weird/scary alien.  I think this would be a terrific use of Serkis and he can bring out a much better performance than we got from Ian McDiarmid. A blind man could have seen Palpatine was up to no good for Christ sakes!  

Oscar Isaac as The Bounty Hunter
I've seen Driver and Robin Hood, but the only thing I really remember seeing Oscar Isaac in is Sucker Punch, which makes me sad.  I've heard that people are seeing him as the new Han Solo character.  Isaac could be the anti-hero who is rebellious and out for himself, but of course later learns the value of friendship and fighting for a cause.  I think this would be a good idea, but let's make him more edgy.  A trailer for the current The Old Republic computer game saw a cowboy smuggler with a lot of attitude.  I think this type of character would be great for Isaac, only a little more ruthless.  Perhaps Isaac is hired to kill Luke or Leia and ends up joining their side?  Then he spends the other films fighting his own nature, and we never quite know if he'll return to his old ways.

Domhnall Gleeson as The Ben Skywalker
In the Expanded Universe Luke Skywalker marries a woman named Mara Jade, who just happens to be a redhead.  So when I saw Gleeson was going to be in the film my first thought was that he'd play Luke's son; Ben Skywalker.  I remember Gleeson from playing Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise, but it was his starring role in About Time that made me excited to see him on the Episode VII roster.  I thought About Time was wonderful little movie and Gleeson did a superb job as the lead.

With that being said, I think Luke Skywalker is going to die in Episode VII.  Let's think about it.  Episode I, Qui-Gon Jinn, the mentor, dies.  In Episode IV, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the mentor, dies.  I think Episode VII will continue that trend.  Of course Mark Hamill will become a ghost like Obi-Wan did and still be in the rest of the trilogy, but in a heroes journey the mentor always dies.  I think this tale will be no different.  Plus, this will affect every character; including his son.  In the Expanded Universe, after the death of his brother, Jacen Solo turns to the Dark Side.  But what if, it's Luke's son that turns after his father's death?  It wouldn't be a big leap to imagine another Skywalker turning to the Dark Side.  I can see Driver's character being a secret Sith who helps sway Gleeson to the Dark Side as well.  And finally, cast Julianne Moore as Mara Jade. Mark Hamill can thank me later.

John Boyega as The Jedi Hero
Admit it.  As soon as you heard Boyega's name you thought, "Lando's son."  I'm not going to call you racist; I'm just saying it's too obvious.  I can see him being a descendant of Mace Windu though.  Speaking of, I would also like to see Mace Windu back.  I mean, come on, we never saw Mace actually die.  And you're going to tell me the second most powerful Jedi in the galaxy couldn't survive a little fall?

I plan on seeing Attack of Block before I see Episode VII, but I've heard nothing but good things about this actor.  I see him as Luke's star pupil.  The guy who is a hero through and through, and because he's is so beloved by Luke this could be another trigger for Gleeson to go dark.  Boyega could even be the one thought to take-over the "New Jedi Order" when Luke passes on, and this would make his son a little pissed. 

Daisy Ridley as The Jaina Solo
This young woman has become the talk of the cast!  Not only is she the only new female actress announced in this ensemble, but she's also the most unknown actor in the bunch.  This leads me to believe she might have the biggest part in the upcoming trilogy.  Many have already mentioned her resemblance to Carrie Fisher, which of course screams Jaina Solo; Leia's daughter in the Expanded Universe.  In the EU Jaina ended up killing her twin brother Jacen because he turned to the Dark Side.  But instead of her brother, what if she faced off against someone like her brother?  Perhaps her cousin?

Also, being the new female of the group, I can also see her the center of a love triangle.  In A New Hope you never knew if Leia was going to end up with the smuggler, Han, or the hero, Luke.  Of course George Lucas settled that debate when Leia was revealed as Luke's sister.  I can see Isacc and Boyega's characters fighting over Ridley.  But instead of Ridley ending up with the bad boy she goes for the good guy.  Perhaps with the help of Boyega they are able to turn Gleeson's character back from the Dark Side of the Force.

Another reason I can see Ridley being a child of Han and Leia is that if you look at the current Star Wars: Legacy comic book, specifically the first issue's cover, the main character, Ania, is a descendant of Han and Leia, and looks so much like Daisy Ridley.  She just has the Solo look to her. Having an even stronger woman than what Leia is can only help bring in more female viewers to go see Star Wars: Episode VII.