Star Wars: Episode VII Projected for $1.2 Billion Box Office Haul

Buried in an interesting Variety piece looking at the state of Disney's big budget film flops and successes is an interesting forecast of how Star Wars: Episode VII will do at the box office.

Credit Suisse’s Michael Senno expects Disney to generate around $733 million in profits from the seventh “Star Wars,” out in summer 2015. Film is expected to generate around $1.2 billion in global theatrical receipts, and more from consumer products and other revenue, Senno said. As a result, Senno set a new target price of $74 for Disney’s stock to eventually reach, helping boost shares on Monday.

“The “Star Wars” franchise should drive strong profit growth and mitigate risk at the studio with fewer risky high budget films,” Senno said.

SOURCE: Variety

Review: Star Wars: Crucible

“I am incapable of conceiving infinity, and yet I do not accept finity. I want this adventure that is the context of my life to go on without end.”  ― Simone de Beauvoir, La Vieillesse

Everything ends. The modern Star Wars Expanded Universe's novel branch really took off in 1991 with Timothy Zahn's Heir to the Empire.  That novel set at the in-universe date of 9 ABY provided a launching off point for the continued adventures of the heroes of the Star Wars original trilogy of films.  In the 22 years since we have seen novels jump around the in-universe timeline all over the place, yet a main line of novels continued driven by an irresistible moment moved forward on the timeline, with this movement forward in-universe we have rapidly approached a situation where the suspension of disbelief and internal logic of the Expanded Universe's storytelling threatens to collapse upon itself as fans, authors and editors cling to tightly to the continued adventures of the "Big Three" in their elderly years.  

We have seen any number of explanations to keep these aging heroes relevant as action heroes. For example, humans in the Star Wars universe live a lot longer than those in our real world, 70 is more like 50.  We have also heard that Force users remain more vigorous in their old age than mere mortals.

At the same time as we devote precious limited page time to an aging cast of characters we end up sidelining or underveloping younger characters, some of which are in their 30s or 40s now and have yet to really had their time in the spot light. 

In Troy Denning's Crucible, we have reached 45 ABY. In universe almost half century has passed since the destruction of the Death Star.  Luke, Han and Leia still star in the main line of Star Wars novels, passing the spotlight most reluctantly to Ben, Jaina and others.  

Crucible represents the end of a certain era of Star Wars storytelling, yet the looming and likely reboot of the Expanded Universe makes Crucible a bittersweet culmination.  How would the story of Star Wars continue on the page without the big three? What new and exciting characters would be created and fleshed out to carry on the story? 

We have yet to receive any official proclamations from Disney, Lucasfilm, and Del Rey regarding continuity and their intentions with the publishing line after the novels that have already been announced. But Crucible even though it is a stand-alone novel it certainly feels like the a series finale.  Whether this ultimately ends up being the end point of this incarnation of the Expanded Universe remains to be seen.

I hope that rather lengthy preamble puts Crucible in perspective. To me what Denning is tasked with doing in this novel, i.e. retiring Han, Luke and Leia sets a rather lofty bar of expectations.

Crucible Synopsis via Random House:

"Han Solo, Leia Organa Solo, and Luke Skywalker return in an all-new Star Wars adventure, which will challenge them in ways they never expected—and forever alter their understanding of life and the Force.

When Han and Leia Solo arrive at Lando Calrissian’s Outer Rim mining operation to help him thwart a hostile takeover, their aim is just to even up the odds and lay down the law. Then monstrous aliens arrive with a message, and mere threats escalate into violent sabotage with mass fatalities. When the dust settles, what began as corporate warfare becomes a battle with much higher stakes—and far deadlier consequences.

Now Han, Leia, and Luke team up once again in a quest to defeat a dangerous adversary bent on galaxy-wide domination. Only this time, the Empire is not the enemy. It is a  pair of ruthless geniuses with a lethal ally and a lifelong vendetta against Han Solo. And when the murderous duo gets the drop on Han, he finds himself outgunned in the fight of his life. To save him, and the galaxy, Luke and Leia must brave a gauntlet of treachery, terrorism, and the untold power of an enigmatic artifact capable of bending space, time, and even the Force itself into an apocalyptic nightmare."

The novel stars Han, Luke, Leia, and Lando as they attempt to deal with problems surrounding yet another one of Lando's commercial endevours.  

Set in the Chiloon Rift a difficult to navigate and communicate area of space that is rich in mineral resources, and featuring a novel pair of villians (the Columi Qreph brothers) with some interesting henchmen and Mandalorian mercenaries, the set up feels a bit more like the Bantam era than the galaxy in peril plot lines that have dominated the Del Rey era. 

As an Expanded Universe author Troy Denning is not the most prolific, but he has had key novels that have largely defined the the direction of many characters in the EU.  His novel Star by Star is one of the most important to the New Jedi Order series, revealing the fate of Anakin Solo and setting Jacen on his journey that would lead him to the Dark Side. The Dark Nest Trilogy all three books of which were written by Denning takes us six years in universe after the Vong are defeated and presents a Jacen Solo who steps into the spot light with advanced and unusual powers and a deep secret.  Denning next served as the third author in each of the next two nine-book series, Legacy of the Force and Fate of the Jedi, meaning he wrote books 3, 6, and 9.  This means he wrote the concluding book in the last two mega-series.

In both Legacy of the Force: Invincible and Fate of the Jedi: Apocalypse, Denning wrote strong books and in doing so set the paths and fates for many characters that reverberated down the timeline.  Crucible picks up some of the plot threads that Denning laid down in Fate of the Jedi: Apocalypse. In doing so it feels like some of these plots didn't get the time to be explored or too grow that they deserved.  There is one rather odd plot thread that revolves around an injury of Luke's that I am glad didn't get further development. 

There is also a character reveal that could have been left as a mystery to more interesting dramatic effect, but was spoiled so early by the author himself by including to precise a physical description of the characters.  That being said I actually love the characterization for the character. I just believe it would have been more fun for the reader to slowly realize who this character actually as closer to the climax of the novel.

 Denning does some nice work in touching base with some of our recurring characters, Jaina and Jag, Mirta Gev and by reference Boba Fett, and continues the rehabilitation of Tahiri Veila.  

Reading through the New Jedi Order, Tahiri became one of my favorite characters in the Expanded Universe.  Her journey has been pretty crazy but in Crucible, Denning presents mature and for what seems to be the first time in forever a portrayal of Tahiri that isn't psychologically or emotionally damaged.  I also wonder what exactly Ben and Tahiri talk about when they are stuck on a small spacecraft together for a long period of time, I hope it is not that unfortunate interrogation session.

Ben Skywalker also has a relatively minor supporting role in the book but his scenes are very well done and the mixture of humor and intensity that this character possesses makes a character that I would love to read more stories focusing on his adventures. 

The book introduces another Han Solo-lite character in asteroid miner and starship captain Omad Kaeg.  I enjoyed the interactions between Kaeg, Han and Leia and I think that Omad works well because of the generational difference between himself and Han.

I really enjoyed a great deal of the dialogue of this novel, the exchanges between the big three felt pitch perfect and I think Denning really nailed the characterization of both Han and Luke. 

Critics of Denning should be happy, we don't get any Killiks or Barabels. Han Solo and I share a similar dislike of bugs and Insectoid aliens.  Barabels are interesting but extended Barabel dialogue can be grating.  Though it is interesting outside of the Nargons (none of which gets any individual characterization), a Jedi supporting character and the villains, this novel features an almost completely human cast.  

 The thing that struck me about the novel upon first reading was that it has what seems to be an unusual amount of brutality.  While as a reader I didn't think Denning was going to kill any of the big three in this novel, he writes their injuries in such a way that you can almost expect that the next page will have the character dying.  This can either serve to heighten the dramatic tension (if you buy into it) or take you out of the story. I was having Monty Python the Black Knight flashbacks for much of the novel. 

The novel also features cloning of a different variety than we have seen before.  I have to say, this isn't to single out Denning but it strikes me that cloning is becoming an overused plot device in Star Wars fiction.  Yes cloning exists in the universe but it seems like it is in every other book at this point. 

The novel's synopsis describes "an enigmatic artifact capable of bending space, time, and even the Force itself into an apocalyptic nightmare."  It is really at the point that we reach that enigmatic artifact that the novel really waivers for me.  While I enjoy some exploration of the Force and the more metaphysical nature of the Star Wars universe it feels like this novel and some others are going to far.  Just like the Fate of the Jedi series' journey beyond shadows and Pool of Knowledge, it takes Star Wars to a place that feels to be a step to far into the fantastic.

Ultimately the conclusion of Crucible is both satisfying and logical, it feels like it is how things should be resolved.  At the same time in getting there the novel took some detours that I didn't totally enjoy.  Crucible is a worthy and important addition to the Expanded Universe, but I can't help but think if it stayed a little more grounded that it would have delivered a more compelling and fun final (possibly) adventure for our heroes.

For more on Crucible and to read an excerpt visit RandomHouse.com.

Author's note:  A review copy of Crucible was provided by Del Rey/Random House for this review. 

Book Review: William Shakespeare's Star Wars by Ian Doescher

"Any good piece of material like Shakespeare ought to be open to reinterpretation." ~Denzel Washington 

Let's face it, if you are reading this blog or this review then chances are you have seen Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope more than once. In fact chances are that you can either quote back or replay in your mind the entire film.  Perhaps you remember not so fondly your youthful days in school where Shakespeare was a chore and even possibly a bore. Did you need Cliff Notes to struggle through iambic pentameter and rhyming couplets?

Author Ian Doescher combines his love for both Star Wars and Shakespeare into this rather unique retelling of Star Wars.  Sure you may be wary of Shakespeare's prose, but fear not. The beauty of this book is that it can serve as both a novel diversion for fans of Star Wars and also maybe, just maybe it can serve as a young reader's first steps into a larger world, the world of Shakespeare.

I won't pretend to be an expert on Shakespeare, sure I have read his plays and sonnets in school, I have watched various film adaptations of his works and generally I think I understand what he means at least half of the time.  This book is accessible in a way that some of the Bard's work is not because we all speak the language of Star Wars.

The book is a rather quick read and follows very closely the film. Some of the dialogue remains in the book without being signifcantly changed, some lines only have a word or two changed and some are completely reformulated leaving the meaning but fitting this story better. You will note some significant divergences in passages featuring asides and monologues by characters.  Frankly these added elements were my favorite part of the book.  What is R2 really thinking and expressing with all those beeps and boops? Doescher clearly had fun translating Star Wars into the style of Shakespeare and it doth show on the page.

At 176 pages the book contains a handful of black and white illustrations and a lot of white space on the page given it's structure.  This makes the book a very quick read.

I can heartily endorse picking up William Shakespeare's Star Wars this summer. I think you shall enjoy it, perhaps you will even act out a few scenes.

For more on William Shakespeare's Star Wars visit Quirk Books and see this interview with author Ian Doescher.

William Shakespeare's Star Wars goes on sale July 2, 2013 with a MSRP of $14.95.

William Shakespeare's Star Wars: An Excerpt by QuirkBooks

Editor's Note: A review copy of this book was provided by the publisher Quirk. 

Star Wars: Episode VII Casting Call: Connecting the Dots

First reported by the website Bleeding Cool and subsequently independently confirmed by TheForce.Net and Big Shiny Robot, we have our first information regarding casting for Star Wars: Episode VII.

According to Bleeding Cool the characters listed below will be "lead characters" though they stress the casting call may not be in order of importance, i.e. the first character listed may not be the "star" of the film.

"Late-teen female, independent, good sense of humour, fit.

Young twenty-something male, witty and smart, fit but not traditionally good looking.

A late twentysomething male, fit, handsome and confident.

Seventy-something male, with strong opinions and tough demeanour. Also doesn’ t need to be particularly fit.

A second young female, also late teens, tough, smart and fit.

Forty something male, fit, military type.

Thirtysomething male, intellectual. Apparently doesn’t need to be fit."

So we have a physical description for seven characters to be featured prominently in Episode VII, both TFN and Big Shiny Robot were able to get on the record comments from Lucasfilm sources confirming the authenticity of the Death Star plans..err casting call.

Lets take these character descriptions and have some fun.

Some things that immediately pop-out to me:

1) No Twins:

Sorry Expanded Universe fans, but looks like we won't be seeing Jacen and Jaina. If they were going the twin route it would be surprising for one to be a leading character and one not to be.

2) A New Big Three or Four?

We have two teenage females and two twenty-something males.  This generational grouping would seem to be the core for the films.  Will there be three central characters or four this time?

3) Heroes or Villains?

In addition to the youngsters we have a male in his seventies, a male in his forties and a male in his thirties.  Will these characters be mentors or obstacles for our heroes to overcome?

4) Romance and too many Skywalkers:

While it's not clear if JJ Abrams actually said Episode VII would feature a central love story (see Club Jade), if there is a love story that features prominently in the film(s) then it could affect the characters and screen time of the characters.  It is possible that we could see offspring of both Luke and a mystery partner and also of Han and Leia.  However to expect Skywalker and Solo children to be the new big three would for obvious and icky reasons limit the screen time that could be either devoted to a love story or two the Big Three's next generation.

5) Unknown Actors and Actresses:

Personal preference but I hope we see relatively unknown or completely unknown actors and actresses in the leading roles in Episode VII.

6) Love Triangle:

It strikes me that teen female #1 will be the central character and pursued by the two twenty-something males. It could be a set up a bit like Harry Potter, with the two boys potentially both competing for Hermoine Granger, but perhaps teen female #2 is there to be Ginny Weasley for one of those guys.

Breaking Down the Character Profiles:

(1) Late-teen female, independent, good sense of humour, fit.

Young, independent, sense of humor and fit. Sounds like the female lead to me.

A Tenel Ka type

(2) Young twenty-something male, witty and smart, fit but not traditionally good looking.

The character that all the nerds can identify with.  Not the most likely guy to (help) save the day and get the girl but I expect we see something along those lines. Is it too much to ask for this to be Wedge Antilles Jr.?

(3) A late twentysomething male, fit, handsome and confident.

Right out of central casting, the "Senior Quarterback" type.  This is the guy you expect the lead to pick.  This is also the character who's "perfect" exterior hides a deep flaw that makes for an intersting or conflicted character.

A Zekk type?

(4) Seventy-something male, with strong opinions and tough demeanour. Also doesn’ t need to be particularly fit.

Now this is interesting.  The most obvious thing to think is that this is a Galactic Civil War veteran.  What is his current occupation.  I lay the odds at 70% Rogue (Smuggler), 20% Military Leader (General), 5% Jedi Master and 5% Politician.

A Booster Terrik type

(5) A second young female, also late teens, tough, smart and fit.

Not much to go on with this description. Though it does seem to be clearly subordinate to the description of the first female.  One interesting possibility is that this could be a villain.  We haven't really seen a young antagonist in the Star Wars films (not counting Anakin in Episode III of course).

(6) Forty something male, fit, military type.

Most likely scenario is that this is the lead Imperial Naval Officer and nominal villain in the film.  Could be a New Republic military officer but I'd wager this is a villain.

Admiral Piett

(7) Thirtysomething male, intellectual. Apparently doesn’t need to be fit.

To me this says Daniel Jackson type. Could be a slicer (Star Wars equivalent of a computer hacker) or some type of scientist or teacher.

Plausible Plots:

Now this is really throwing darts at the board based on the scant information that we have.  But lets work off of a couple assumptions.  1) Assume that Han, Luke and Leia will be in the new trilogy but will be in a supporting or mentoring role.  2) Assume that in Lucas/Arndt's vision of the post-Return of the Jedi era, that the Jedi Order did not propagate as quickly as it's Expanded Universe version of events.

I think that sets up three main scenarios that the story could spring from and where we will meet our new big three or four.

1) Jedi Academy:

Probably the least likely in my mind, but based on the Expanded Universe and the success of this type of story in the past we could see something like this. The youngsters in school story has been seen with different age groups and different settings but two good examples are the Harry Potter series and the recent X-Men: First Class.

Luke sets himself up as a Jedi Master on some remote location, perhaps even with Han hanging around to help teach more practical skills to the Jedi students.  What this scenario has going for it is the visual coolness of lightsabers and how hard it could be to resist inserting a bunch of Jedi into the story for that cool factor.

2) Military Unit:

While the Emperor is dead the last vestiges of his Empire still cling to power in different regions of space.  We meet either a Starfighter squadron or perhaps a small elite strike team starring our teens and twenties characters.  A little more of a Battlestar Galactica feel meets the X-Wing series of novels feel.

3) Smugglers Crew: 

I think this would be an interesting way to kick things off.  Let's say the young female lead is either a Solo or Skywalker. Feeling the pressure of living up to her parents reputations, her independent streak causes her to strike out on her own and she falls into the crew of smugglers.  Perhaps with a Talon Karrde type or Booster Terrik type as the smuggler chief. This female lead doesn't look to put herself into the center of the galaxies problems but events and the Force have a way of bringing her into the center of things and she must embrace her family history and become a hero/leader etc.

I hope you enjoyed my initial thoughts and speculations.  I will have more as we learn more details about Episode VII as production unfolds. Stay tuned.

SOURCES: Bleeding Cool, TFN, and Big Shiny Robot

Star Wars: The Clone Wars: The Rule of Two: Wins Two Daytime Emmy Awards

Image Source: THR

It's about time.  I would just like to wish a big heartfelt congratulations to the entire cast and crew of Star Wars: The Clone Wars for their Daytime Emmy Award win tonight.  It is a much deserved honor for a show that took television animation to a whole new creative level.

To those members of the cast and crew that I have gotten the chance to interact with, you guys rock and the passion and hard work that went into the series was evident and while fan appreciation is great, sometimes it is nice to get a shiny trophy to.

The Clone Wars may be over as a on-going series, but it will live on in syndication and home video releases and like all good Star Wars projects it will lead to a wave of talent finding other projects to work on in Hollywood both in the Star Wars universe and outside of it.  The best of luck to all the cast and crew in their future endeavors.

May the Force be with you, always.


SOURCE: Emmyonline.org