Star Wars Reads Panel discussion
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The Han Solo Trilogy
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Alex wrote: "I've given up on much of the old EU books, except for those by Alan Dean Foster, Brian Daley, Timothy Zahn, James Luceno, Steve Perry, and Michael Reaves. I have quite a few books that looked like ..."I listened to Star Wars: Catalyst - A Rogue One Novel and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, narrated by Jonathan Davis who is a brilliant narrator (IMO) and really enjoyed them. This prompted me to start re reading Star Wars books which I have had on my shelf for a while
I have recently finished "Rebel Dawn" (I know, I know it's no longer "canon") and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it! The story is heavy on Han and his dealings with the Hutts. You find out exactly why Jabba has a bounty on Han - the whole dropping the shipment deal that Jabba mentions in the movies in great detail. Similar to Rogue One this novel is a great lead-in to A New Hope. If you liked Rogue One you will also like this one. Of course with a new Han movie in the works none of this may even be relevant.
Definitely putting the Han Solo trilogy on my to-read list. That sounds like a fun story. Plus I am not sold on the upcoming Solo films yet, I want to give it a chance, but I'm not sure if I can get past the whole "someone else playing Han Solo" thing.And Patricia-
I agree, Jonathan Davis is awesome. I especially enjoy hearing him in books with Obi-Wan in them. I have been enjoying Marc Thompson's narrations/voices as well.
Francisco wrote: "Definitely putting the Han Solo trilogy on my to-read list. That sounds like a fun story. Plus I am not sold on the upcoming Solo films yet, I want to give it a chance, but I'm not sure if I can ge..."I agree about the Han Solo films, but I think my curiosity will get the better of me, even though it will be weird seeing someone else in the role. But then the only other way would be CGI (urgh, yes I know).... so it might be better not to make the film at all.
Just started reading (rereading) Heir to the Empire, thought I would refresh my memory on Thrawn before the next book comes out, and also seeing him on Star Wars Rebels helped too :)))
I'd prefer to see an Obi-Wan film personally, maybe about his hermit days on Tatooine. They should take advantage of the actor still being young and willing to take the part! No CGI necessary! Plus Obi-Wan is probably one of my favorite characters.Ewan McGregor seems willing!:
http://descriptive.link/ewan-mcgregor...
Or they could go with that rumored Fett movie, I'd like to see more of Temuera Morrison and he also is apparently hoping to be on board again:
http://descriptive.link/temuera-morri...
Francisco wrote: "I'd prefer to see an Obi-Wan film personally, maybe about his hermit days on Tatooine. They should take advantage of the actor still being young and willing to take the part! No CGI necessary! Plus..."I heard about that Fett movie too. Would be good I think. They could trace his life as a bounty hunter, after his father died on Geonosis, and before we meet up with him in the The Empire.
What about an Ahsoka Tano movie, what happened to her her after she left the Jedi order, and before she pops up in Rebels.
I know they wouldn't use CGI on an Obi Wan movie, I was thinking more of CGI for the Han Solo movie, if seeing someone else is too weird. But a Han Solo CGI is absolutely out of the question for me. As I said, do not make a movie at all. Let's all remember Han as he was in IV, V and VI.
What they could do though is maybe an animated series of Han Solo before A New Hope. At least then they could draw him to ressemble Harrison Ford, no?
Patricia wrote: "Alex wrote: "I've given up on much of the old EU books, except for those by Alan Dean Foster, Brian Daley, Timothy Zahn, James Luceno, Steve Perry, and Michael Reaves. I have quite a few books that..."Finished Catalyst last week. I wonder how Jyn was able to sleep after her mom gave her the kyber crystal in the movie, given what Galen said about how the larger crystals were affecting his sleep... .
Francisco, given that the story is set when Han is a snot nosed TEENAGER why shouldn't they get someone else to play Han?
Re the Boba Fett movie: I agree with Deadpool about Boba Fett in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g708P... Ultimate diss is when someone says "I don't know enough about you to diss you." The comment Deadpool makes that I agree with is when he calls Boba Fett over rated.
Patricia: Your idea about a Han Solo cartoon set prior to IV has merit but it's got too damned much common sense to it. Need I repeat what I've always said about how most of humanity reacts to anything that reeks of common sense? *bg*
Amber wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Alex wrote: "I've given up on much of the old EU books, except for those by Alan Dean Foster, Brian Daley, Timothy Zahn, James Luceno, Steve Perry, and Michael Reaves. I have quite..."Saw the video... true he might be overrated, but "there are no small parts"... less is more, etc etc. I suppose it's because he had such a small part that people wondered about making his role "bigger", imaginations can then run riot.
On another note, did you hear the "rumour", "possibility", call it what you will, that there may be yet another trilogy after episode IX - i.e. episodes X, XI and XII..... and that Disney may have another 15 years of Star Wars films in the pipeline. We're in for the long haul folks :)
Yeah, I heard it. Rumors are a dime a dozen. I'll believe it if I live long enough to see it.Fett was overrated BECAUSE of the imagination of his fans running wild...need I mention the now non-canonical crud Miss Traviss(ty) wrote about him specifically and the Mando in general?
Patricia,An Ahsoka movie could be interesting, with that and an Obi-Wan movie, they could have a "fugitive ex-Jedi" theme going for a bit. Though at the same time I wonder if filling in all these mysterious periods in the character's timeline steals a little from the imagination. One thing I definitely hope they continue to avoid is a Yoda origin story. I am happy with Yoda's uniqueness, lack of surname, species name and other such details of origin.
Amber,
I didn't know Han was supposed to be a teenager in the new movie, the guy that they revealed to be the new Han Solo looks older than your average teenager to me. Then again maybe it was just the photo I saw, I don't think I've ever seen him play in anything. Obviously they can't get Harrison Ford to play a young Han Solo at this point, but I was expressing my uncertainty about whether I'd be able to believe that the newcomer would grow up to fill those shoes...or boots rather. It might be best, as Patricia said, to explore that sort of story in a different medium like an animated feature. But I'll reserve judgment until I see how the movie comes out.
I started paying attention to Boba Fett after it was established that he was Temuera Morrison under the helmet. I just think Tem is funny and fun to watch, so I suppose that gives me a slight bias that has little to do with the actual character he is playing. I do however like the dynamic that is created when a Fett balances the tough persona he has to uphold with caring for an offspring. I think the character can be a little bland without that other side, and that touch of humor that emerges from that softer side as well.
According to the now non-canonical DARK HORSE comics, Yaddle was Yoda's niece and she was on the Council, Francisco. She even talked like dear old uncle Yoda. She's also half her uncle's age.That's what I heard. Re: The Han Solo spin off.
In the original movie appearance, Episode V, Boba was portrayed by Jeremy Bulloch who also had a cameo as the Imp officer who grabbed Leia's elbow she she yelled to Luke that it was a trap.
That's interesting, well there goes the "Yoda's girlfriend" theory! So yeah, Yaddle, and there was another one in KOTOR I'm pretty sure. But other than that I think he's fairly unique.Right, but Jeremy didn't get to do too much. That was before there was much more to Boba besides striking a few poses and saying a few short lines. Actually I'm not sure that there's that much more to him now, but I am sure if given the opportunity Temuera could give him more personality like he started to do with Jango before he was abruptly..cut off. I'm not saying there really needs to be a Fett movie, just that they should take advantage of these actors before they get old and they have to start looking for CGI options or other actors that sort of resemble them.
They could also try running with some original new characters, Star Wars is full of possibility.
You guys should watch "Elstree 1976" on Netflix. It's a documentary about Jeremy Bulloch, David Prowse, and others who were in the original movies, and their pseudo-popularity. A lot of great history and backstory to the movies.
Adam wrote: "You guys should watch "Elstree 1976" on Netflix. It's a documentary about Jeremy Bulloch, David Prowse, and others who were in the original movies, and their pseudo-popularity. A lot of great histo..."Love too, except I don't have it in France, different countries, different programmes. But I did see "I am your father" which was David Prowse's story.
Francisco wrote: "That's interesting, well there goes the "Yoda's girlfriend" theory! So yeah, Yaddle, and there was another one in KOTOR I'm pretty sure. But other than that I think he's fairly unique.Right, but ..."
All the best original characters, except Grand Admiral Thrawn, have been declared non-canonical by Disney.
Patricia/Adam: David Prowse ALSO worked with both Sir Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing when all THREE of them were with Hammer Studios. You can read all about it in The Hammer Vault by Marcus Hearn ( https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1... )
Thanks for sharing that Adam, it sounds interesting. I'll try to remember to look it up next time I have netflix.Amber, I meant they could come up with entirely new original characters if they are decided to keep the old ones non-canon.
I personally feel Disney could have started a whole new Star Wars story in a completely different time period or corner of the galaxy with new characters and spared the Expanded Universe. I more or less understand why they didn't, but I think it could have worked.
Francisco, that is a great idea. As much as I think the new movies are great so far. There's no reason why they had to destroy the old canon that EU established. Or who knows maybe they're doing a Superman/bizarro world thing. Or maybe it will all be a dream Indiana Jones had..... :P
Jamie wrote: "Or who knows maybe they're doing a Superman/bizarro world thing. Or maybe it will all be a dream Indiana Jones had..... :P"That's kind of how I look at it :)
Francisco wrote: "Thanks for sharing that Adam, it sounds interesting. I'll try to remember to look it up next time I have netflix.Amber, I meant they could come up with entirely new original characters if they ar..."
I DON'T understand it and never will.
Jamie: The "it was all a dream" bullshit was started by the original version of DALLAS and it's a (bleeping) COP OUT.
Amber,I get the impression they felt they had to stick with the old characters because they figured that's what would bring people to the theater. I read somewhere that they were targeting new fans, people who weren't already buying into Star Wars, who hadn't read the books etc., or who had superficial familiarity with the saga. The major fans were already going to see it anyway. Broader fan base = more $. It makes business sense I guess, but not so much sense for the already meticulously created and still roomy Star Wars universe.
Personally I feel that art tends to decline in quality the more that money gets tangled up with it. As much as people criticize George, I feel he was just trying to get as close to his vision as possible. As many artists find, the actual piece never looks exactly like what one envisions to begin with, but you try to get as close as possible and let the work claim a life of its own. Eventually (like George) you may try to end it and say "ok, I've done what I set out to do, the work is done" but end up finding that now your creation directs YOU in the sense that you discover new fonts of inspiration from it.
Conversely, Disney seemed immediately to embark on a financial crusade to win back the 4.7 billion by churning out as much Star Wars as possible in as short a time as possible. Their decisions seem based on cornering the market on entertainment, whereas George seemed more intent on innovation and giving storytellers/artists a greater capacity to express their visions.
That said, these are all just my impressions and attempts at understanding the decisions of these giants. I can't pretend to know for sure what their motives were/are.
None can, except the men and women making the actual decisions and that's ONLY if they know themselves to begin with.
Francisco wrote: "I personally feel Disney could have started a whole new Star Wars story in a completely different time period or corner of the galaxy with new characters and spared the Expanded Universe."There is immense value in the existing characters (as you mention in your follow-up post), and Disney loves money more than it loves its fans.
Jamie wrote: "There's no reason why they had to destroy the old canon that EU established."
In the EU, didn't Chewbacca die well before Han was as old as he is in EP7? If they kept the EU, then Chewie could not have been in EP7. I'm sure there were other limitations that they didn't want to write around.
SPOILER ALERT! Although if you're reading this you are probably already in the know. Adam, you are correct. Chewie died in a novel called "Vector Prime". When I saw EP7 my reaction besides shock was "Huh?" However no matter to which "canon" you subscribe I would read "Vector...." simply for the depth and emotion conveyed in Chewie's famous final scene.
Patricia wrote: "Alex wrote: "I've given up on much of the old EU books, except for those by Alan Dean Foster, Brian Daley, Timothy Zahn, James Luceno, Steve Perry, and Michael Reaves. I have quite a few books that..."I'm re-reading Star Wars: Catalyst. I plan to review it soon on my blog.
Adam wrote: "Francisco wrote: "I personally feel Disney could have started a whole new Star Wars story in a completely different time period or corner of the galaxy with new characters and spared the Expanded U..."I am of the opinion that the EU became too bloated for its own good, and that many of the writers (especially those who were more at home in the Star Trek franchise) couldn't quite get the characters (especially Luke) right. There was no way that the new films could accommodate many of the EU plot points, at least not in a way that would satisfy EU and non-EU fans.
The only writer in the EU that I KNEW of from the STAR TREK fandom was A.C. Crispin and she was the one who wrote that awful book about the Force Sensitive human sized cockroaches on Nam Chorios, if I remember it correctly, Alex.
Alex wrote: "I am of the opinion that the EU became too bloated for its own good..." and "There was no way that the new films could accommodate many of the EU plot points, at least not in a way that would satisfy EU and non-EU fans. "That may be the most succinct description of why the EU had to go. Great post, Alex.
Jamie wrote: "SPOILER ALERT! Although if you're reading this you are probably already in the know. Adam, you are correct. Chewie died in a novel called "Vector Prime". When I saw EP7 my reaction besides shock wa..."I had the same reaction when I learned that Han and Leia only had one son (that we know of for the moment - who knows what will be revealed in the following episodes).
On another note, has anyone read William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope (William Shakespeare's Star Wars #4) ? The author also wrote The Empire Striketh Back, the Jedi Doth Return, the Phantom of Menace, the Clone Army Attacketh and the Tragedy of the Sith's revenge. The author who loved Shakespeare and Star Wars put them together and came out with the scripts rewritten a la Skakespeare, in "play" form, with little extras like soliloques, internal thoughts etc. Quite frankly it is brilliant. Written in Shakespear language, and even if you are not familiar with 16th century English, the fact that you know the stories helps. And it is interesting to see in how many different ways the same thing can be written and/or interpreted.
Patricia wrote: "Jamie wrote: "SPOILER ALERT! Although if you're reading this you are probably already in the know. Adam, you are correct. Chewie died in a novel called "Vector Prime". When I saw EP7 my reaction be..."Yes, I have the complete series of "William Shakespeare's Star Wars." I got the Royal Imperial Box Set with the Original Trilogy's adaptations first, then I bought the Prequel books (singly) in 2015.
Amber wrote: "The only writer in the EU that I KNEW of from the STAR TREK fandom was A.C. Crispin and she was the one who wrote that awful book about the Force Sensitive human sized cockroaches on Nam Chorios, i..."Vonda N. McIntyre, Barbara Hambly, and a few other Star Trek writers also contributed to the Star Wars EU/Legends series of novels. It was Hambly who wrote "Planet of Twilight" (the awful book set on Nam Chorios). McIntyre wrote the dreadful "The Crystal Star."
To be sure, at least one Star Trek author contributed some of the best Star Wars novels: Alan Dean Foster. He's the writer who novelized "A New Hope" and "The Force Awakens," and he also wrote the first EU novel, 1978's "Splinter of the Mind's Eye."
Patricia wrote: "Jamie wrote: "SPOILER ALERT! Although if you're reading this you are probably already in the know. Adam, you are correct. Chewie died in a novel called "Vector Prime". When I saw EP7 my reaction be..."For one of my friends on staff at the library, she wasn't a fan of STAR WARS before she read the Shakespeare versions...her favorite parts were R2's.
Alex: I didn't remember wither of those two or Alan Dean Foster. Sorry about that. Didn't Allan also write the scripts used by NPR for their radio versions of the OT?
Amber wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Jamie wrote: "SPOILER ALERT! Although if you're reading this you are probably already in the know. Adam, you are correct. Chewie died in a novel called "Vector Prime". When I saw E..."No. Alan Dean Foster has written the following Star Wars novels:
Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker, aka Star Wars; Episode IV: A New Hope. (Credited to George Lucas)
Splinter of the Mind's Eye
The Approaching Storm (a prequel to Attack of the Clones)
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (novelization)
Brian Daley is the guy who did the NPR radio dramas for Star Wars, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. In fact, he created a different scenario for the Rebels' acquisition of the Death Star plans in 1981. He died of cancer on the same day that the final recording session was completed in 1996.
I love the Shakespeare/Star Wars books!
Thanks. Yeah, I got them mixed up, Alan and Brian.When it comes to the actual stuff Shakespeare wrote, I can only read The Scottish Play w/o gagging.
That Shakespeare stuff sounds interesting. I wish it was around wayyyyyyy back when I was in high school. I would have preferred that over "The Merchant of Venice". I also wish I had known about "The Approaching Storm". I am presently reading "The Attack of the Clones" novelization by R.A. Salvatore, would have been nice to have read the two back to back. By the way the "Attack....." novel is excellent!
Jamie wrote: "By the way the "Attack....." novel is excellent!"Have you ever read the Revenge of the Sith novel? I really enjoyed that one, it adds a lot to the story we saw in the film and it was very well written.
I really like the way they combine Jonathan Davis' narration of the novel's opening with music from the movie in the audiobook version. One of my sisters didn't really enjoy the ROTS movie, but I was able to use that audiobook opening as a hook to get her interested in reading the novel.
Though just as "Approaching Storm" takes place just before AOTC, "Labyrinth of Evil" would be the one to read before ROTS.
Francisco, the "Revenge...." novel is on my longgg list! I love all the background information in the novelizations.
Jamie wrote: "That Shakespeare stuff sounds interesting. I wish it was around wayyyyyyy back when I was in high school. I would have preferred that over "The Merchant of Venice". I also wish I had known about ..."
Funny that you should mention The Merchant of Venice. The William Shakespeare's Star Wars version of Star Wars - Episode I is titled The Phantom of Menace: Star Wars, Part the First.
Jamie wrote: "That Shakespeare stuff sounds interesting. I wish it was around wayyyyyyy back when I was in high school. I would have preferred that over "The Merchant of Venice". I also wish I had known about ..."
I hope Ian gets to do Shakespearean rewrites of ROGUE ONE, THE FORCE AWAKENS and the upcoming Episode VIII.
Patricia wrote: "Alex wrote: "I've given up on much of the old EU books, except for those by Alan Dean Foster, Brian Daley, Timothy Zahn, James Luceno, Steve Perry, and Michael Reaves. I have quite a few books that..."I just finished Catalyst and Rogue One in hardcover. Both very good novels.
Oh, yes. Welcome to the Star Wars reading group, Patricia!
Amber wrote: "I hope Ian gets to do Shakespearean rewrites of ROGUE ONE, THE FORCE AWAKENS and the upcoming Episode VIII."I've asked him in "Ask Ian Doescher" on Goodreads. He says he wants to, but that it's up to Disney/Lucasfilm to give him the green light.
They should. I wonder what the droid from ROGUE ONE would sound like as a Shakespeare character.
Amber wrote: "They should. I wonder what the droid from ROGUE ONE would sound like as a Shakespeare character."Considering that the first six Star Wars movies were given the "William Shakespeare's Star Wars" treatment after Disney bought Lucasfilm, I don't know why the powers that be would not approve the newer adaptations. The WSSW series is popular...it seems to be selling well and Ian has many fans....
Alex wrote: "Patricia wrote: "Alex wrote: "I've given up on much of the old EU books, except for those by Alan Dean Foster, Brian Daley, Timothy Zahn, James Luceno, Steve Perry, and Michael Reaves. I have quite..."Thanks for the welcome :)
Star Wars Reads Panel
Books mentioned in this topic
William Shakespeare's Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope (other topics)Heir to the Empire (other topics)
Star Wars: Catalyst - A Rogue One Novel (other topics)
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (other topics)
Star Wars: The Courtship of Princess Leia (other topics)
Only downside of course though is that it IS Legends now, and is more than likely about to be rewritten or picked through (n..."
Hi, I am new to the group (why didn't I search for a Star Wars group earlier??? - anyway I am here now :). I read the trilogy last year, and loved it. Yes, absolutely, reminded me immediately of Oliver Twist. I wonder if the up coming Han Solo film will take some ideas from this trilogy?