Geeks like to get all up in arms about “canonical” versions of things. There was a discussion on Galactic Water Cooler #229 about revisions, and how it’s OK if the artist wants to revise, but still release all versions of the art (a la Blade Runner), but not so great if the artist wants to revise, but deprecate all old versions (a la Star Wars “Greedo Shoots First” edition).
Let me say that I’m generally in agreement with this stance.
However, I take it even farther.
Until recent times (when did copyright law start to get super snooty?), it was almost always the case that, for performance art in particular, the audience *expected* different versions of the piece, because a given play (for instance) is going to be a little different with a different cast, director, or what have you.
And this is exactly what makes some of those art pieces so classic and memorable.
I enjoy remakes. I’ve seen West Side Story done by probably half a dozen different troupes, and it’s wonderful and different each time. I love both versions of Miracle on 34th Street, even though I feel it’s a real shame that Natalie Wood did not get to star in the “new” one.
I feel that Peter Jackson’s treatment of Lord of the Rings was spectacular. It really buried the Bakshi version, hands down.
So here’s my pitch.
I think that all geeks can agree that the quality of the final 4 Star Wars movies (Ewoks? *Seriously?!*) were far lower than the quality of the first two.
I think that a different director and a different cast could bring something seriously pleasant to the Star Wars canon.
So, this is an appeal to geeks everywhere.
If you love Star Wars, and you want to see the story “told right”, let’s get Mr. Lucas to open up the rights to remake the films. All six of them. There are directors who could treat the canon with the respect it deserves (and with which I think Mr. Lucas failed to treat it and us), and yet tell the same story in their own way.
I’m not talking about replacing Star Wars. I’m talking about another version. A different version. Star Wars seen through other eyes.
Let history decide whether one version is “better” or “worse”. Hell, give Lucas the marketing rights to the new version. He needs more money. Just let the new version be made.
Because I’ll be that the new version will *not* have “Jar Jar” or “Ewoks” in it.
And that’s a good thing.
Ewoks RULE!!!!! Long live the Ewoks!!!!!!
I could definitely get behind a “Steam punk” version that wasn’t CGI heavy, go back to animatronics which seems to be becoming a lost art. Bring it back to the grandeur that IV, V, and the first part of VI portrayed. My only consideration is that it is too soon for a remake, but considering Lucas changing things every few years or so maybe it’s the cash cow that keeps on giving…
“glub glub”
Lucas needs more money?
Personally, I don’t think you can top ASCII Star Wars.
Ewoks will never die…. They’re like the short, furry cousins to Chewie. And remember, let the Wookie win.
In hindsight, I agree with Jimbo – a reboot of Star Wars would be good.
They’re rebooting X-Men and Spiderman, they rebooted Star Trek and it was brilliant… Star Wars the Next Gen.?
Oh, did I mention – LET THE WOOKIE WIN. 🙂
This is exactly what I’m talking about. I hate to say it, because Roddenberry is a minor deity, but I think that Star Trek actually got better after he passed away.
When I think about what the Wachowski brothers could do with lightsabers… well, it makes my head spin.
It could be done right. And it could be done in a way that respects the Star Wars universe.
I like looking at the Rebel Alliance and realizing that it’s all “thrown together”, outdated dogfighting spacecraft from “the war”. Star Wars is supposed to have a lot of “deep time”, ancient relics from wars and explorers long past.
Someone could do this right. Lucas is clearly not that person, however.